August 15th is Fair and Balanced Day!!

Al Franken is getting sued by Fox News over his new book "Lies and the Lying Liars Who Tell Them: A Fair and Balanced Look at the Right?" Apparently Fox News claims it has a trademark on the phrase "Fair and Balanced."

The Daily Kos had some interesting comments on the legal ramifications of this lawsuit.
http://www.dailykos.com/archives/003775.html#003775

If you have any interest in reading the text of the actual lawsuit, you can dowload it as an Acrobat file.
http://news.findlaw.com/hdocs/docs/ip/foxpenguin80703cmp.pdf

I think this lawsuit is absolute rubbish, and I hope that this suit does go to court, as Fox News will surely look like complete idiots. How dare they think they can own such a phrase as "Fair and Balanced?!?!" If only they were "fair and balanced".......?

In solidarity with Al Franken and the principle concept of the First Amendment, comedian Neal Pollack has declared August 15th as "Fair And Balanced Day," and I'm happy to join in on the fun.

http://www.nealpollack.com/cgi-bin/blog/do.cgi/200308122150/permalink

Previously, Agitproperties.com created a funny little t-shirt that has also prompted the lawyers at Fox News to get very upset.

http://www.agitproperties.com/osc/eshop/product_info.php?products_id=1

As a wise man once said, "When parody is outlawed, only outlaws will have parody."

Celebrate freedom of the press! Practice parody whenever possible!



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