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Intellectual Property (IP) lawyers are finally losing it as they are threatening to require all Elvis impersonators to purchase a license. Techdirt rightly points out that Elvis has been kept alive primarily by those impersonators that always bring a chuckle when you see one (how can a grown man dress that wierd when it clearly isn’t him). I hope the lawyers are not serious about this move but trying to keep control of all impersonators or rather costume parties is going to act as a kill joy. Who’s next? Are they going to insist that all store Santas should purchase a license from North Pole (or Coca-Cola)? Are they going to raid elementary school costume parties arresting all kids dressed up as fairies, Barbie dolls, angels, and Spongebob Squarepants?
by Patrix | on Thursday, April 27th, 2006 at 4:15 pm | 
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April 27th, 2006 at 7:38 pm reply
Hey, interesting post. I’ve got to say that this made me laugh. Yes, it seems that someone out there wants a piece of something other people are doing no matter what. Another thing that irks me is when people trademark certain phrases, like “You’re fired” or “Three-peat.” Ridiculous, if you ask me!
April 27th, 2006 at 11:20 pm reply
Hmm… we made a film about a year ago involving Elvis impersonators, and a kareoke contest; and we had the worst time of our lives getting the Elvis estate to release copyrights… the battle is still going on I guess. This is only going to make things worse! I dunno when the film’s gonna see daylight.
April 29th, 2006 at 2:51 pm reply
Pan Asian Biz, Gosh! your name sounds like a spammer but I guess you are not. Glad you liked the post. BTW Donald Trump tried to trademark, “You’re fired” but he couldn’t do so because a small-town shop was already printing Tshirts that said that long before we had Apprentice.
Anand, The Elvis foundation is certainly a wacko group. The fact that they earn almost $40 million in music royalties doesn’t deter them from asking for more. But I hope your film makes it sometime soon.