by Mike Johnson
The Ultimate Fighting Championship's parent company Zuffa Entertainment filed a lawsuit against cable network Showtime and their Mixed Martial Arts company Elite XC on 3/22 in the United States District Court of Nevada. The lawsuit alleges copyright infringement and unfair competition.
In a 34 page filing, Zuffa contends that the debut EXC broadcast on 2/10 in Southaven, MS featured "unauthorized, wrong, knowing and continuing appropriation, use and copying" of UFC copyrighted material that Zuffa has produced themselves or own from acquiring UFC in 2001 from Semaphore Entertainment.
The filing claims that the defendants, "wrongfully and willing copied the Infringed Copyrights, or caused the wrongful and willful copying" of the UFC footage. They allege EXC and Showtime may have also copied "other aspects and portions" of material Zuffa owns.
Zuffa also contends that the usage on EXC's broadcast created a "likelihood of confusion in the marketplace" and that EXC is using UFC's name and goodwill for their own good, citing the move was unfair competition on the part of Elite XC.
Zuffa requested that Showtime and EliteXC be enjoined from continuing to use the company's copyrighted material, that all copyrighted material be returned to them, that the defendants be forced to cover Zuffa's legal costs and that the court rule in their favor for any damages it deems fit. Their complaint was filed with detailed information on all of the material copyrighted and owned by Zuffa.
Neither Showtime nor EXC, who announced a massive undertaking today with a 6/2 MMA PPV at the 100,000 seat Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, have responded to their claims before the court. It's possible the companies may not have even been served with the complaint as of this writing.
Zuffa has demanded a jury trial in the filing.
source: www.pwinsiderxtra.com
*******************||Trending||*******************
March 28, 2007
UFC Files Lawsuit Against Showtime and Elite XC
March 27, 2007
Metrobus Driver Fired After Rear-Ending Car
It seems that the requirements to drive a Metro bus are to be drunk or a negligent driver or both. They should have no problem finding drivers.
washingtonpost.com
Officer Vacations; Suspects Go Free
Knowing what happened to Barry Fox, it's a shame that they singled him out.
washingtonpost.com
March 26, 2007
McDonald's on Sunday Morning
I was in McDonald's Sunday morning with a friend. We stopped in to get some breakfast. There was this family there that looked straight out of a trailer park. Their son was running around the restaurant in his pajamas. The mom and the grandma couldn't decide what to order. McDonald's has had basically the same menu for how long now? Why is it so hard to order pancakes and sausage? It provided a lot of entertainment.
UFC Chuck Liddell Slurs and Sleeps Through Interview 300
...Here's another excerpt from the same article on Chuck Liddell being given a random drug test by the Nevada State Athletic Commission for his infamous appearance on a Texas morning TV show:
Liddell also addressed the health concerns that followed his early March appearance on the Dallas television show, "Good Morning Texas," when he fell asleep while discussing the film "300."
"I had pneumonia and a fever," Liddell said.
The fighter said he was out late, then took the prescription sleeping pill Lunesta and an over-the-counter dose of Nyquil before waking early to make the television appearance, which can be viewed on YouTube.
"I needed six to eight hours of sleep and only got three," Liddell said. "They should've never got me out of bed."
Following the rambling, often incoherent discussion, Liddell said he was ordered off the promotional road by UFC President Dana White, and was subsequently subjected to a random drug test by the Nevada State Athletic Commission. Keith Kizer, executive officer of the Nevada State Athletic Commission, said Liddell passed the drug test.
"He's been tested several times and has never ran afoul of our tests," Kizer said. "Chuck was in a weird state on that show. I don't blame people for being concerned about him, but he silenced his critics."
Ibarra, however, criticized Liddell for appearing on television in that state.
"It was unfortunate that someone so important in the world of mixed-martial arts makes a decision to be out there in the spotlight in a condition like that," Ibarra said. "Hopefully, he learns for the sport and himself to be more reputable."
To read the complete article by Lance Pugmire, visit LATimes.com.
source: wrestlingnewsworld.com
Video from YouTube
WWE and Timbaland Join Forces
By Kara A. Medalis
Written: March 26, 2007
World Wrestling Entertainment is pleased to officially announce it has signed a deal to work with Timbaland, the world-famous record producer, song writer, rapper and huge WWE fan. Timbaland is an avid WWE Divas fan, and has big plans to use some of the Sexiest Women in Television in his next video. (No word yet on which lucky Divas will film with Timbaland.)
“WWE is extremely excited about the opportunity to work with Timbaland. We promise the Divas will help make Timbaland the hottest music video ever,” said Kristin Prouty, WWE’s Vice President of Entertainment Relations.
Timbaland’s second solo album, Timbaland Presents Shock Value, will be released worldwide April 3 on Interscope Records. The album’s first single, titled “Give It To Me,” features two of today’s hottest acts, Justin Timberlake and Nelly Furtado. Known for working with fellow major artists, Timbaland’s other special guests on Timbaland Presents Shock Value include The Hives, Fall Out Boy, 50 Cent, She Wants Revenge and Elton John.
For more on Timbaland, visit his official Web site at Timbalandmusic.com. Stay tuned to WWE.com for upcoming news on the exciting new partnership between WWE and Timbaland.
source: wwe.com
March 25, 2007
Tito Ortiz No-Shows, Bout With Dana White Never Happened
The following is from Dave Meltzer's website, WrestlingObserver.com:
Tito Ortiz no-showed the weigh-in and the fight never happened.
The Nevada State Athletic Commission was not happy with this turn of events as they had officials there. Dana White was there and got weighed-in. There was no communication from Ortiz as to why he wasn't there. Ortiz did call White and leave him a messages saying that he was letting him off the hook, but White didn't think that message meant he was cancelling the match.
Spike TV was scheduled to air a 90 minute television special building up the PPV of the fight.
mmanews.com
Making a Legend
The documentary "Wrestling with Shadows" brings up an interesting dilemma that wrestlers face later in their career. As wrestlers get older and their accomplishments begin to mount, they grow concerned with their legacy. Younger wrestlers add to the conflict as they gain popularity each week and a larger fanbase. Ultimately, wrestlers strive to preserve their character and desire to be immortal.
Although Hart started his career as a heel in the Hart Foundation, he soon adopted the face role. His sound technical skills in the ring made him known as "The Excellence of Execution". After winning the WWF championship on multiple occasions, Bret's place as a champion was sealed. At this point Bret did believe himself to be the best there is, the best there was, and the best there ever will be.
Hart portrayed his character as a hero who followed the rules and always did the right thing. He obviously knew how to wrestle, which he prided himself on, and he considered himself to be a role model for young children. Before every match Hart can even be seen giving his glasses to a child near the ring. When Stone Cold Steve Austin and DX gained popularity, Bret felt this as a personal attack towards his good guy character and that wrestling fans were turning their backs on him. Wth little distinction between bret the wrestler and Bret the person, it was only natural for him to feel worried about his future in the WWF.....More?
source: http://mitcmsprowrestling.blogspot.com
March 24, 2007
Top Ten Reasons the WWE Needs Triple H
10. Better hair then most female models.
9. Looks great in boots.
8. Perfect look and body for wrestling…or sex.
7. Ratings are down…because I have not been watching.
6. The tanning industry would suffer greatly.
5. Wrestlemania will suck without him.
4. There aren’t too many people that can tolerate Vince McMahon.
3. The smarks would have no one to hate.
2. Shawn Michaels is lonely.
1. The fans miss him.
