The last several days have found an online firestorm surrounding a Southampton, UK pub called “The Hobbit” that our intrepid reporter Mark McBride has covered in not just one, but two excellent articles. And for this Middle-earth Network Special we are joined by lawyer, Aaron Hall to discuss trademark and copyright law. We also re-visit the ongoing legal actions taken last year against “The Hungry Hobbit” cafe with a discussion with owner, Wendy Busst, live on the show.
Middle-earth Network Specials are originally heard live on Middle-earth Network Radio and is a time for us to gather at the Bird and Baby, enjoy a pipeful of Old Toby, and to set aside a part of our day for the telling and hearing of pleasant tales by some very wonderful and honored guests here on the Middle-earth Network. We invite you to join us in the Live Event chatroom on the radio page at MyMeRadio.us each time we broadcast. Join us on our social site, My Middle-earth, for details on upcoming guests.
Theme song: “Old Toby” by Lonely Mountain Band.
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Divine Bovine!
Google “shire” and you’ll see a lot of pubs, restraunts, B&Bs, apartments, housing, biopharmaceutical, farms, livestock, jewelry, toys, clothing, etc.
How…er…. much damage will Saul & Company create over these “aggressive” tactics?
(shakes head slowly)
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Well, by definition “Shire” is not something Tolkien came up with but is a word describing a division of land or a county. A shire is something that has been around for ages and is not necessarily related to Tolkien’s books.
The difference here is the pub used a name specificially from the book and then later used the images from the movie. I think they overstepped the line when they used the images of the fellowship in their sign. If they had kept the image out of the sign I’m not sure they would be getting as much flack as they are now, but with Hollywood anything is up in the air. In Hollywood it is all money and power without regard to much else.