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Hobbit pub in Southampton threatened with legal action

A popular pub and music venue called The Hobbit has been threatened with legal action by US movie lawyers.

The Southampton pub has been accused of copyright infringement by lawyers representing the Saul Zaentz Company (SZC) in California.

The company owns the worldwide rights to several brands associated with author JRR Tolkien, including The Hobbit and The Lord of The Rings.

Landlady Stella Mary Roberts said: "I can't fight Hollywood."

The pub in Portswood, which is popular with students, has traded with the name for more than 20 years.

It features characters from Tolkien's stories on its signs, has "Frodo" and "Gandalf" cocktails on the menu, and the face of Lord of the Rings film star Elijah Wood on its loyalty card.

A letter from SZC asked it to remove all references to the characters.

The company asserts it has "exclusive worldwide rights to motion picture, merchandising, stage and other rights in certain literary works of JRR Tolkien including The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit".

The Lord of The Rings films and the forthcoming adaptation of The Hobbit, made by New Line Cinema, have been licensed from SZC.

Landlady Ms Roberts said: "We were absolutely stunned. It was completely unexpected, we never intended to infringe anyone's copyright.

"Are we doing any harm? I don't think so. We're bringing people to the books and the stories who haven't heard of JRR Tolkien.

"We don't have the financial resources to fight it - I can't fight Hollywood."

She said that changing the name and rebranding the pub would "cost thousands".

Student Heather Cartwright, who set up a "Save the Hobbit" Facebook page which has more than 3,000 likes, said: "I was completely shocked by it. It's great to see so many people showing support.

"How long do we need to protect works for? Do we protect the works of Mozart and Shakespeare?" she added.

Punch Taverns, which owns the freehold to the building, said: "We are aware of the situation and are currently consulting with our legal advisors."

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-hampshire-17350103

Hungry Hobbit cafe told to change name

A Birmingham cafe, based near where author JRR Tolkien grew up, has been threatened with legal action by lawyers working for a US film company.

The Hungry Hobbit in Moseley has been accused of copyright infringement by lawyers representing the Saul Zaentz Company (SZC).

The company owns the worldwide rights to several Tolkien brands, including The Hobbit and The Lord of The Rings.

The cafe has traded under the name for the last six years.

Its current owner Wendy Busst said she had taken over the cafe just six months ago and it was her first business.

Those working at the cafe said they had been shocked to read the letter.

Debbie Shuttleworth said: "They think we're this big empire, but we're just a cafe."

She added that changing signs, menus, aprons and other items would be expensive for the small business.

"We just want to remember our heritage and the area we're in. Our customers just think it's really silly," Ms Shuttleworth added.

JRR Tolkien grew up in the nearby village of Sarehole, which in the early part of the 20th Century was still mainly farmland, before being swallowed up by Birmingham.

It is thought Sarehole Mill and Moseley Bog provided the inspiration for places depicted in both The Hobbit and The Lord of The Rings.

In a letter - headed "Unauthorised Use of Hobbit" - SZC's lawyers requested the cafe "phase out" the use of the name on menus, websites, signs and "other materials on which the Hobbit mark or related marks have been displayed".

It stated "only those who qualify for a trademark licence may use Hobbit and other marks registered by SZC".

The letter goes on to say that use of the name Hobbit "is likely to cause confusion, mistake or deception among prospective purchasers, who are likely to believe that your business is licensed, authorised, sponsored or endorsed by SZC".

It added that use of the name "takes unfair advantage of, and is detrimental to the reputation of SZC's Hobbit mark".

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-bi ... m-15825960

Actor Stephen Fry has backed a Southampton pub after it was threatened with legal action by US movie lawyers.

Mr Fry, in New Zealand working on the forthcoming film of the Hobbit, called it "pointless, self-defeating bullying".

His support boosted the pub's Facebook supporters to more than 15,000.

Writing on Twitter, Mr Fry said: "Honestly, sometimes I'm ashamed of the business I'm in. What pointless, self-defeating bullying."

The Hen wrote:Next they'll be suing the family of JRR Tolkien for some books they've got lying around ....

kristina wrote:I remember MickeyD's suing a little health food restaurant in Santa Cruz that called itself McDharma's. Ridiculous.

Econoline wrote:Saul Zaentz? Isn't that the guy who bought Fantasy Records and then sued singer-songwriter John Fogerty (of Creedence Clearwater Revival) for plagiarizing himself, for performing songs he had written himself, without getting/paying for permission from Zaentz? (In response, Fogerty wrote the song "Zanz Kant Danz"--with the lyric "Zanz can't dance but he'll steal your money"--which resulted in Zaentz suing Fogerty for defamation of character. As if he [Zaentz] actually had any character to defame.) What a scumbag.

About us
A charismatic tribute to the legendary writer JRR Tolkien, Hobbit Boutique Hotel, offers its guests a healthy dose of old-world charm topped up with a good dollop of stylish elegance. Jannie and Celeste van der Westhuizen are the owners of this 4-star historical oasis, situated in the peaceful, leafy suburb of Westdene which is within walking distance of many of Bloemfontein’s main attractions.

As a testament to its luxurious allure, Hobbit Boutique Hotel has won several awards, including the Best Guesthouse in SA (SA Tourism Board), Resort of the year (AA Travel and SAA), as well as the Arch of Europe Award for Excellence and Quality. This luxury boutique hotel boasts professionally decorated rooms, all named after a specific Lord of the Rings character, and all fitted with mini bars, electrical blankets, percale linen, air-conditioning and a full range of high-quality amenities.

All accommodation includes their world-famous breakfast, complete with delectable omelets and Scottish pancakes. Be sure to make a reservation for their special four-course set menu dinner, featuring the best of traditional South African cuisine. A trip to their quaint gardens, tranquil library or cozy, character-filled bar, complete with a wide selection of international liquor on offer, is also a must.

Besides top-notch accommodation with just a touch of JRR Tolkien history, The Hobbit Boutique Hotel also specialises in birthday parties, intimate weddings, women’s teas and corporate functions. Their conference venue can accommodate up to 60 people with ease, so be sure to book them for your next event.

bigskygal wrote:Stephen Fry is at the top of a short list of homosexual men I'm hopelessly in love with. He is just so terribly clever!

The Hen wrote:

bigskygal wrote:Stephen Fry is at the top of a short list of homosexual men I'm hopelessly in love with. He is just so terribly clever!

You'll have to fight with the Hatch and myself. We love Mr Fry, for the same reasons, as well.

A Hollywood film company has offered to "amicably resolve" a dispute with a Southampton pub over its name and decor.

The Hobbit pub had been accused of copyright infringement by lawyers representing the Saul Zaentz Company (SZC) in California.

Producer Paul Zaentz said he was open to licensing the pub to use its JRR Tolkien brands.
Mr Zaentz told the BBC that trademark law dictated they had to act against infringements of their brands.

"Regardless of the size of the company, if we didn't go after these infringements, then other people would say 'if they can use them without authorisation, why can't we?'

"When it's an established business, we like to get the company to acknowledge they are using our trademarks, stop selling infringing articles and then we will grant them a licence for a nominal fee - approximately $100 a year.

"We asked to them to contact us and amicably resolve this and are open to any suggestions they have. I'd be glad to raise a pint with them the next time I'm over."

The pub in Bevois Valley, which is popular with students, has traded with the name for more than 20 years.

It features characters from Tolkien's stories on its signs, has "Frodo" and "Gandalf" cocktails on the menu, and the face of Lord of the Rings film star Elijah Wood on its loyalty card.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-hampshire-17390623

Lord Jim wrote:I have to say, the image Stephen Fry in his birthday suit doesn't do any more for me than the image of Beer Sponge in his birthday suit...