Fox loses 'fair and balanced' suit

This entry was published at least two years ago (originally posted on August 23, 2003). Since that time the information may have become outdated or my beliefs may have changed (in general, assume a more open and liberal current viewpoint). A fuller disclaimer is available.

A federal judge on Friday slammed Fox News’ trademark infringement lawsuit against Al Franken and his publisher Penguin Group and refused to stop the sale of the liberal satirist’s new book that pokes fun at the network and host Bill O’Reilly.

Fox charged that Franken had violated its trademarked phrase “fair and balanced” by including it on the cover of his book entitled “Lies and the Lying Liars Who Tell Them.” Fox is owned by News Corp. and Penguin is a unit of Pearson. The book went on sale on Thursday.

“There are hard cases and there are easy cases. This is an easy case,” said U.S. District Judge Denny Chin. “This case is wholly without merit both factually and legally.”

I didn’t really think that Fox stood a chance with this, but it’s good to know for sure!

I’ll probably leave the ‘Fair and balanced’ tagline on my site for a few more days, then change it to something else…

(via Dad)