Posted in: Comics | Tagged:

The Worst Website to Ask to Plug the Grinch…

Published Tue, 08 Jan 2019 11:00:13 -0600

Comics publisher and reporting website ComicMix has been fighting a legal case for a couple of years now against the estate of Dr Seuss. It revolves around a Kickstarter for a book written by Tribbles creator David Gerrold and drawn by Stig's Inferno's Ty Templeton, for a Star Trek/Dr Seuss mashup parody called "Oh, The Places You'll Boldly Go".

Which should have been a straight up fair use/parody decision. But it seems now. And it is still ongoing.

This week the news website got a press release from Universal Pictures Home Entertainment for the DVD/Blu-Ray/download release of recent The Grinch movie. PR people often blanket-send such releases without checking as to whether or not said website is the subject of such litigation.

Leaving ComicMix with little option than to post the following response…

Dear U.P.H.E., we got your press release...
Afraid we can't run it, thanks to legalese.
For as much as we might want to promote "The Grinch™"
The Seuss folks won't budge here, not even an inch.
See, Dr. Seuss™ sent us a cease and desist
An action which, you understand, has us… peeved.
They told us, "Use any Seuss IP? No more!"
Not just Seuss/Star Trek mashups; Grinch™ hype too! Then... war.
They proceeded to sue us, making wild claims
of willful infringement, a charge that defames.

We're not sure that we'd want to, in any case,
assist making money they'll shove in our face
as they continue to file legal motions
and otherwise show very hostile emotions.

Our defense costs us thousands, and now you beseech:
"Please use your platform, extend Seuss's reach!
Help them make more moolah, which they'll utilize
to stifle your speech so you can't criticize!
Push their retelling! Please help us to coax!"
Their chutzpah is stunning. The nerve of these folks.

We don't hold it against you, we know that it's rough—
pushing "Grinch™" weeks after Christmas is tough.
We'd normally help; after all, 'tis the season
but we obviously can't and now you know our reason.

If you've just heard about this suit, and if you think
that you'd like to contribute, please do! Here's the link.

We're now in the summary judgement last stages,
the judge has the filings with which she engages.
Our request for judgment should stand on its own,
the facts are all in, there's no need to postpone.
Our motion is clear for the trained legal reader
although we admit that it's not done in meter.
We think our case strong, we trust the judge concurs,
and fervently hope that our win she confers.

And to everyone following our long fair use fight:
Thanks for all your support... and to all a good night.

Enjoyed this? Please share on social media!