Why i'm genuinely considering boycotting The Hobbit

[Pyro Tramp]

This (https://www.facebook.com/SaveTheHobbitSouthampton) is a pretty disgusting incident happening to my local pub. It's one of the best pubs in the area with a fantastic atmosphere and drinks and will be a massive blow to see it closed. So please support across the pond.

[Deadite]

I don't really know what to say except this seems like typical suit thuggery and, uh, good luck!

[Pyro Tramp]

Yeah, ironically I remember them toning down the references a couple years before LoTR came out. Was a fantastic painting down the side of the pub. Annoys me when they're clearly doing out of love and respect for the books and not as a capitalist cash in on the films (obviously I can't say they're not not using the reference for financial gain). Just hope it picks up steaming closer to Hollywood.

[Powdered Water]

Why would it close? At worst they'll be forced to change the name, yeah? Which I certainly agree is total bullsh*t, but still, they shouldn't have to close. These guys may just go away, these money grubbers can't control everything, I hope.

[Pyro Tramp]

Because apparently re-branding will cost more money than they can afford. I didn't think it would cost a lot, apparently it does.

[Thursday Next]

I've read about this and I agree, it's disgraceful. I might boycott the film myself. How is one little pub going to impact on their profits at all? It's been The Hobbit long before the films came out.

What next, the makers of The King's Speech sue all pubs called The King's Head?

[bouncingbrick]

Hmmm...maybe they shouldn't have named their pub that to begin with? What the hell do you expect when you name your place something that is owned by someone else?

It sucks that the big guy is muscling in, but it's not as if they didn't know this would happen.

EDIT: Oh, and boycotting one of the biggest films of all time? That'll show 'em! :rolleyes:

[wintertriangles]

Technically they can just add an extra "t" like Hobbitt, and then they can't do anything

[Golgot]

Technically they can just add an extra "t" like Hobbitt, and then they can't do anything

Perfect. That'd barely cost em anything either ;)

Better than renaming themselves: 'Hairy-footed gentleman of unknown nomenclature' at any rate ;)

[Yoda]

Or shorten it; "The Hob." Or even "The H." I dunno why an entire "rebranding" is necessary. What's that include, new marketing materials? For a pub?

Anyway, I'll bet when these things happen it's usually just some sort of batch lawsuit thing, and a few otherwise harmless things get caught up in the mix. Wouldn't be surprised if this is dropped once word gets out.

[John McClane]

I believe the theme of the pub has come into question, too, so just changing the name isn't the only thing they'd have to do. Of course, I haven't seen the inside of it or the legal paperwork, so I can't say either way.

[Yoda]

Ahhhh, that would make sense, if it's all Hobbit-y inside. Though it seems like it would either a) be different enough that they wouldn't have to change it, or b) a clear copy, in which case I'm not sure the suit isn't fair to begin with.

[wintertriangles]

The suit isn't fair to begin with because Tolkien didn't sue the pub so the film company has absolutely no reason to in turn since the pub came before the film. End of discussion. Unfortunately the pub won't have enough for lawyers fees to dispute this. I still think adding the T is all they need, and if not make a viral video and soon public opinion will make the suit disappear.

[Sexy Celebrity]

I'm sure this little Facebook page and whatever else they're doing won't hurt their little business, either, especially close to the release date of a movie called The Hobbit. This is just what they need to spike interest. Based on Facebook posts, it sounds like this problem is about to go away and they've received all kinds of support. If it was a really serious threat, though, I can understand why they wouldn't want to change anything, including the name of the pub -- that would still require some money, too, to get everything changed around.

[Nausicaä]

It's funny how it's taken them 20 years to realise... but they do use images from the actual films according to news articles I've read - so they are breaking copyright laws with that because they are making money off the films without permission, Elijah Wood's Frodo is used on something for example. So if this is the case, no matter what reasons the company is suing for, why should the owners of the pub be let off for breaking copyright laws?

Get rid of anything to do with the films - but let them keep The Hobbit as the name, it's not like Tolkien even created the word.

[Yoda]

The suit isn't fair to begin with because Tolkien didn't sue the pub so the film company has absolutely no reason to in turn since the pub came before the film. End of discussion.
Tolkien probably didn't sue them because he died about twenty years before it took the name. I don't think chronology has anything to do with it, either; you can own film rights long before you use them to make a film, and you can't circumvent them by simply naming your store something before the release date.

I don't think the suit is necessary, but this is this is starting to feel like siding with the little guy just because he's the little guy.

I still think adding the T is all they need, and if not make a viral video and soon public opinion will make the suit disappear.
Yep, prolly.

[will.15]

Ho-hum.

They probably got a lot more business from the publicity.

[will.15]

Tolkien probably didn't sue them because he died about twenty years before it took the name. I don't think chronology has anything to do with it, either; you can own film rights long before you use them to make a film, and you can't circumvent them by simply naming your store something before the release date.

I don't know about Australian law, but in American law that would be a defensible legal position, that the copyright holder, whoever it is, if they don't take legal action after a certain period of time, loses their trademark rights. It doesn't matter if the trademark rights later passes to other owners.

[Yoda]

Yeah, I thought of that, but assumed that if they're not using that defense it probably doesn't apply. If I recall correctly there are also little ways to keep the copyright "alive." Selling it might qualify, for example.

[n3wt]

That is disgusting, I dont see why they should even close or change thier name.

[will.15]

Do people who frequent pubs really care what the name of it is?

[Yoda]

I don't think I could get drunk unless it was on something named after an Orlando Bloom character.

[bouncingbrick]

That is disgusting, I dont see why they should even close or change thier name.

Uh, because it's not a name they own?

It's not disgusting, it's inevitable. They should have known going in that it may happen. Even if the film company hadn't come along to do it, then there was always the chance that the Tolkien estate, or whoever owns the Lord of the Rings rights, could have.

[Yoda]

This news story has seriously hampered my attempt to raise venture capital for the Harry Potter Bar & Grill. Thanks a lot, lawyers!

[filmgirlinterrupted]

Hmm...I'm in the middle on this one. It sucks for the pub and it will probably cost them some money to re-brand. But at the same time, why would you name your business after something that is so easily recognizable and thus an easy target for a lawsuit?

Either way, I hope the pub does well and stays open.

[will.15]

Boycott Disney while you are at it.

http://www.snopes.com/disney/wdco/daycare.asp

[n3wt]

Uh, because it's not a name they own?

It's not disgusting, it's inevitable. They should have known going in that it may happen. Even if the film company hadn't come along to do it, then there was always the chance that the Tolkien estate, or whoever owns the Lord of the Rings rights, could have.

I still dont think they should have to change the name of the pub tbh, I dont think the pub has anything to do with the film apart from the name. How long has this pub been called The Hobbit? I just think its abit pathetic.

[bouncingbrick]

I still dont think they should have to change the name of the pub tbh, I dont think the pub has anything to do with the film apart from the name. How long has this pub been called The Hobbit? I just think its abit pathetic.

It's still a risky (stupid) move to name your business after something that is someone else's intellectual property no matter who owns it or even if its in the public domain. I think it's kind of evil of the company to go after them, but they are still at fault.

[Yoda]

It can be both kind of pathetic and totally fair, I'd say.

I think there's plenty of room for both "they should probably leave them alone" and "dude, you were dumb to name your bar that." It's kind of strict, but this guy isn't being horribly wronged, either.

[akatemple]

I agree that they should just add a T and get it over with, and yeah this is probably bringing a lot more business in but what is wrong with that especially with the economy being what it is all over the world, I say good for them and make as much money as you can.

[linespalsy]

Not to say it was out of the realm of possibility or that it shows amazing business acumen, but I suspect a lawsuit probably looked a lot less likely 20 years ago (if they even thought of it at all). I don't have a strong or informed opinion on this but based on the information in this thread I do think too easy, and not entirely fair to just write them off as stupid for not precognitively recognizing the mega-brand Tolkein's universe would become well before the movies even started production.

[bouncingbrick]

Not to say it was out of the realm of possibility or that it shows amazing business acumen, but I suspect a lawsuit probably looked a lot less likely 20 years ago (if they even thought of it at all). I don't have a strong or informed opinion on this but based on the information in this thread I do think too easy, and not entirely fair to just write them off as stupid for not precognitively recognizing the mega-brand Tolkein's universe would become well before the movies even started production.

Eh...20 years ago was about the time when people started suing McDonalds for hot coffee and other such stupid things. It's about the time that PC became a household term.

Sorry, but I still gotta side against them for making a silly decision that ended up biting them in the ass.

[Deadite]

Ah yes, the voices of "reason", leeching a little more color out of the world.

[n3wt]

I just think its unfair for them to make a lawsuit about the name but yeah it was daft of them to use the name in the first place, but would they be being sued now if the films wernt being made, I doubt it. I feel sorry for the guys who may loose thier buisness/home because of this. Ive seen on the FB page that they have had well wishers trying to send them money for the court case etc and they have declined the offer of money as of yet, they are waiting untill they need to fundraise.

[Powdered Water]

Eh...20 years ago was about the time when people started suing McDonalds for hot coffee and other such stupid things. It's about the time that PC became a household term.

Sorry, but I still gotta side against them for making a silly decision that ended up biting them in the ass.

You need to watch this as soon as possible. (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1445203/) There's a hell of a lot more to that story and you will be surprised when you hear the facts behind that whole "Stupid lawsuit". I says. :yup:

[akatemple]

Just watched Hot Coffee and yeah that whole McDonald's coffee lawsuit is way different then what they told the media, everyone should watch that movie.

[honeykid]

Then you should watch this.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0458425/

Just cos. :yup:

[bouncingbrick]

Wow, misunderstand much?

My point was not the story behind McDonald's hot coffee (I don't give a crap about it to be honest), my point was that someone said they were less likely to be sued 20 years ago and I was reminding said person that it was just as possible, just not by the film company. Yeesh...

[Powdered Water]

Yeah, that looks pretty good. I don't really need to see it though as I've seen Food Inc. which more than exposes McDonald's for the terrible empire that it is. If I can get even one person to stop eating at McDonald's I'll have done my part.

[Powdered Water]

Wow, misunderstand much?

My point was not the story behind McDonald's hot coffee (I don't give a crap about it to be honest), my point was that someone said they were less likely to be sued 20 years ago and I was reminding said person that it was just as possible, just not by the film company. Yeesh...

Nobody misunderstood you, just thought you might be interested in educating yourself a bit. Apparently not. Why don't you carry on in your ignorant life then.

[honeykid]

Wow, misunderstand much?

My point was not the story behind McDonald's hot coffee (I don't give a crap about it to be honest), my point was that someone said they were less likely to be sued 20 years ago and I was reminding said person that it was just as possible, just not by the film company. Yeesh...

But wasn't Line's point that 20 years ago the studio wouldn't have bothered with piffling little stuff like this? Not that people didn't sue or sue frivolously. That's how I understood it, anyway.

[will.15]

I guess nobody bothered with my link. Boo-hoo. This isn't anything new, studios suing over this kind of stuff. Over twenty years ago Disney threatened to sue two small day care centers in Florida because they had Disney characters painted in front. Guess they never got wise to the house down two blocks from me that has them as well.

[bouncingbrick]

Nobody misunderstood you, just thought you might be interested in educating yourself a bit. Apparently not. Why don't you carry on in your ignorant life then.

Why educate myself on something that has nothing to do with what I was actually referring to? I was referring to the environment of our society at the time. Sorry I mentioned McDonalds specifically if it offends everyone, but it was just an example. I also mentioned how the term PC was really coming to the forefront of most people's minds at that time, but clearly that wasn't said erroneously so we can all just ignore I said it because it doesn't offer us a chance to look smart about something...

But wasn't Line's point that 20 years ago the studio wouldn't have bothered with piffling little stuff like this?

We don't know, they hadn't made the film.

Either way, I don't back down from my opinion that they should have more carefully considered the ramifications of naming their pub The Hobbit.

[will.15]

I don't eat at McDonalds because the food is terrible, not because it is a terrible organization. Even when you see the facts that was a stupid lawsuit. Use some common sense and don't try to drink hot coffee in the car.

[Powdered Water]

You haven't seen the facts then Will.

[will.15]

I read about it.

[Powdered Water]

I seriously doubt that.

[KasperKristensen]

I got this... The HobbInn

[will.15]

I seriously doubt that.
Yes I did.

[Sexy Celebrity]

Curious about what this Hot Coffee movie and any other McDonalds documentary (except Supersize Me - I've seen that) is saying without having to go watch it right away.

[honeykid]

I guess nobody bothered with my link. Boo-hoo. This isn't anything new, studios suing over this kind of stuff. Over twenty years ago Disney threatened to sue two small day care centers in Florida because they had Disney characters painted in front. Guess they never got wise to the house down two blocks from me that has them as well.
Nope, I read it. I almost + repped you just for saying boycott Disney. I hate Mauschwitz.

http://images.ibsys.com/2004/0303/2892309.jpg

[gandalf26]

I was reading in the news this morning that Ian McKellan (Gandalf) and Stephen Fry have stepped in and forced a climbdown of the Movie Comapny.

"The Hobbit" pub will be allowed to continue trading under it's name and will only have to pay a nominal £63 license fee, which Ian McKellan has offered to pay.

Small Businesses 1 Corporate scumbag lawyers 0

[bouncingbrick]

Reason and logic lose in the end. :D

[Ash_Lee]

They should rename it "The Tolk Inn."

[Powderfinger]

This (https://www.facebook.com/SaveTheHobbitSouthampton) is a pretty disgusting incident happening to my local pub. It's one of the best pubs in the area with a fantastic atmosphere and drinks and will be a massive blow to see it closed. So please support across the pond.

I had to read the Hobbit when I was a kid, and I didn't like it then ;) I hope it's better than the book!! :D :p

[Sleezy]

They should rename it "The Tolk Inn."

You get +repped, sir.

[chrisv24]

I fear after seeing Lord of the Rings we might be disappointed