Shelton Lee, aka, Spike Lee, hired Johnnie Cochran and convinced a New York judge that the renaming of the TNN cable channel "Spike" is an infringment on Shelton's made up moniker. Ed Norton and Bil Bradley supported the Spike Lee suit with affidavits. Supreme Court Justice Walter Tolub (that's what New York calls its trial court judges) said:
Contrary to defendants' position, the court is of the opinion that in the age of mass communication, a celebrity can in fact establish a vested right in the use of only their first name or a surname. There are many celebrities that are so recognized, including Cher, Madonna, Sting and Liza.Now, the real drama begins. Will Gordon Sumner sue the WNBA's Charlotte Sting? Will Cherilyn La Pierre sue the French for unauthorized use of her name? Will Liza sue any number of Lizas throughout the country, whose parents named them without consulting the good Judge Tolub? Will Madonna sue the Vatican? Will I sue R.J. Reynolds tobacco company?
Spike Lee posted a $500,000 bond to cover Viacom's costs if he loses his claim at trail. Expect Viacom's lawyers to be running the bill, because their client won't be paying.
