Scott's Random Thought for the Day (Thank Goodness for Lawyers)



Two great stories about lawyers in the news today, both highlighting their importance in any civilized society.

Our first story comes from Greece, where a group of Greek lawyers was threatening to sue to keep the new movie Alexander from playing in Greece, because they were offended by the implication that Alexander may have been... prepare to be shocked... bisexual! Well, as the BBC reported, the lawyers saw the film, and they decided it was manly enough for them. "The people can go and see the movie," lawyer Giannis Varnakas is quoted as saying. Thank you Mr. Varnakas. Shall I run all my future movie choices by you so you can approve those too?

Meanwhile here in Florida the venerable Hooters sports bar chain just lost a lawsuit they had filed against the similar chain WingHouse. The judge summarily threw out Hooters' claim that they had a trademark on women in short shorts serving overpriced buffalo wings to desperate men, but allowed the jury to rule on whether or not Hooters was reneging on a previous agreement by bringing the lawsuit in the first place. The jury decided for WingHouse, and Hooters has to pay $1.2 million.

I think Hooters got off light. During the opening arguments Hooter's lawyer, one Mr. Steven Hill, made the following statement: "Hooters blazed a trail that was a different trail from other sports bars and it paved that road with a substantial investment in marketing and promotion. Now that it's been a success, Crawford Ker [founder of WingHouse] wants to walk on that road, but he doesn't realize it's a toll road." After that tortured metaphor he should be thankful that losing the case is the only thing that happened to him. If I were the judge, I would have spit in his face.

Posted: Fri - December 3, 2004 at      

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