Hells Angels vs Donald Duck
p2p news / p2pnet: One of the Big Six owners of the MPAA (Motion Picture Association of America) is being sued by the Hells Angels in California —– for copyright violation.
Walt Disney used the Angels’ logo and trademarked name, “without their permission,” says the BBC, going on:
“The group say that characters in Wild Hogs are identified as members of the club and wear its skull logo. They assert that Disney did not give them a copy of the film’s screeplay which has yet to start production.”
Featuring John Travolta and Tim Allen, and written by Brad Copeland, Wild Hogs centres on four frustrated middle-aged biker wannabes who hit the open road in search of adventure only to encounter a real Hell’s Angels group, says the Hollywood Reporter.
“The words Hells Angels and the Deaths Head Logo are property of Hells Angels Motorcycle Corporation, Inc. ( HAMC). and protected by one or more Trademarks, Service marks, and Collective Membership Marks owned by HAMC,” says the Angels’ Oakland, California, web site.
“All unauthorized use is strictly forbidden, including reproduction in any manner.”
The pic, upper left, is of Doug the Thug Hamco, talking to Disney cfo Scrooge McDuck before copyright negotiations broke down.
Also See:
BBC – Hells Angels sue Disney over film, March 11, 2006
Hollywood Reporter – Travolta, Allen going ‘Hogs’ wild, January 6, 2006
March 11th, 2006 at 11:42 pm
Yet another fine example of bigbiz’s “do as we say, not as we do” mentality. Personally i’m kind of hoping that negotiations do break down and the hells angels decide to settle things “out of court”.
March 11th, 2006 at 11:53 pm
LMFAO HAHAHA yes a breakdown of negotiations would be in everyone’s best interests.
March 12th, 2006 at 12:42 am
It never ceases to amaze me. The same hooligans that want protection from theft are always the one’s doing the stealing. They quibble about someone getting a movie or two that they didn’t get a lions’ share rip off of money but yet they are not bashful about lifting what they desire whether with or without permission.
It gives lie to the idea that these self appointed cartels and their enforcers are needed. Rather that we the people, need protection from them. Other than those such as Spitzer (who is undoubtedly riding the oppurtunity for political gain) there are little in the way of protections for those of us actually needing the protection. It demonstrates that the bullyboy approach is in force and that these protections for the cartels have gone way to far in their favor and need be readjusted to the actualities of the real world and not to the hype of whoever can put out the most believable trash.
Certainly the statutory penalties now in existance for infringement with gain are all out of bounds for the real world picture of ads contributing to “financial gain” viewpoint when they by themselves can not in good conscience be called gain when they pay far less than it takes to maintain a server or site. This is nothing short of blatent misrespresention of the facts and claims that fall far short of the protrayed events of profit by for sale means that is being used as the the club for the penalties. Nor do the actions of most file sharers fit into this picture, gaining nothing through the file sharing as a means of profit. It is only by stretching the “for profit” motive to read denial of profit that it is used. One could just as well say that cattle grazing grass is denying feed corporations of profit with that sort of logic. Or that your cooking at home was denying profit to restraunts, suppliers, and taxation through that lack of spending.
I hope this turns around to bite them in the ass in the worse sort of way.
March 12th, 2006 at 1:08 am
Im a rider and I love this =)
March 12th, 2006 at 8:52 am
Shuttt Uppp!
March 13th, 2006 at 6:02 pm
Good post.
March 14th, 2006 at 11:48 pm
I’m still waiting for Sonny’s book “Hell’s Angel” to become a movie that was supposed to happen back in 2000………
Little Richie
March 16th, 2006 at 12:30 am
How Stupid can the Hells Angels be. It is just a joke like them.
March 27th, 2006 at 10:45 pm
This is Crazy!!! The Hells Angels Logo is trade marked and can not be use without thier permission!!! If Disney can just take it and use it then why do we need to copy write stuff!!! With this logic ppl can use anyones logo for anything!!! The Hells Angels do not give up and Im sure they will win this!!! I’m Surprised there would even be a debate about this! It is an open an shut case of taking without permission. I beleave we used to call it stealing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
May 25th, 2006 at 9:23 pm
what do you think disney would do if the hells angels used one of their logo’s? or anybody else without permission?
December 3rd, 2006 at 4:07 pm
Absolutely right. There’s either copyright protection or there isn’t. Look at the number of times The Harley Davidson Motor Company has sued over use of its trademarked & copyrighted logos AND even the sound of its bikes. Yes, I’m a rider. Almost 60 years. The HA have every right in the world to sue & I hope they bring Disney, Travolta AND their silly movie to its knees.
May 3rd, 2007 at 8:25 pm
Well YOU have ALOT to say about EVERYTHING huh!
March 17th, 2008 at 10:20 am
did you know that Dave the hells angel president from Nevada is on child porn charges in Wyoming. Did you know that Robert thompson has been charged with killing 2 little girls and I think the evidence is overwhelming did you know that Sinkis from Mass. has a little girl that said he sodomized her. do you know that ahells angels in Maine has killed a mother of 3 and that another hells angels in Arizonia is wanted for murdering the mother of 6.
March 17th, 2008 at 10:22 am
I think the hells angels would rather bring children to their knees . They are a sick gang of degenerates. These crimes I have read over the part year. In the 60 year history of that gang they have harmed untold amounts of children and women.