Do you think this Naked Cowboy will get a dime?

GarnetTigerMom · 02-14-2008, 11:31 PM

'Naked Cowboy' Sues for $6 Million

NEW YORK (Feb. 13) - New York City street performer "The Naked Cowboy " is suing Mars Inc. for $6 million over the use of his trademark look -- white underwear, cowboy boots and a hat -- by a blue M&M candy on a Times Square billboard.

For nearly a decade, Robert Burck has been a fixture in Times Square, where he strums a guitar on a street corner while dressed in his skimpy signature costume.

In a lawsuit filed this week in Manhattan federal court, Burck said that two oversized Times Square billboards that promote M&Ms used his look without compensating him.

The billboards feature a scantily clad blue M&M with a guitar alongside views of New York including street scenes and the Statue of Liberty.

Burck is suing privately held Mars Inc., which makes M&Ms, and Chute Gerdeman Inc., an Ohio agency that he said created the ad, for trademark infringement.

Neither company was immediately available for comment.

"Just like The Naked Cowboy does on a daily basis in Times Square, the M&M is not only dressed as "The Naked Cowboy ," it is playing the Naked Cowboy 's distinctive white guitar in the cartoon," the lawsuit said.

Mars and Chute Gerdeman "decided to exploit and trade upon The Naked Cowboy 's well-recognized likeness without a license and without furnishing any compensation," the lawsuit said.

Burck has trademarked his signature look and has made several television and movie appearances in costume, including for a televised audition on the "American Idol" reality TV program, the lawsuit said. (Reporting by Edith Honan, Editing by Michelle Nichols and Xavier Briand)

You will find this news in AOL or any other news about him.

In my opinion I don't think he will get a dime! I think he nuts! ha

pek1 · 02-15-2008, 04:50 PM

I read the article on cnn and I believe he has a rock solid case. His name he uses is copyrighted and trademarked and Mars, Inc., should know better.

Personally, I would have sued for way more than the amount he's going after them for.

jillio · 02-15-2008, 07:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pek1

I read the article on cnn and I believe he has a rock solid case. His name he uses is copyrighted and trademarked and Mars, Inc., should know better.

Personally, I would have sued for way more than the amount he's going after them for.

Ahh....the name he uses is trademarked, but is his look? Mars did not use his name.

GarnetTigerMom · 02-15-2008, 10:36 PM

Yeah you could be right, But I personally think he crazy going out there just wearing his underwear, cowboy boots and hat in public. He must be crazy just to try to gain 15 mintues of fame for attention. :-)

jillio · 02-16-2008, 04:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GarnetTigerMom

Yeah you could be right, But I personally think he crazy going out there just wearing his underwear, cowboy boots and hat in public. He must be crazy just to try to gain 15 mintues of fame for attention. :-)

Couldn't agree with you more, GTM. The man has some issues.

GarnetTigerMom · 02-16-2008, 11:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jillio

Couldn't agree with you more, GTM. The man has some issues.

Yep! I sure hell would not do what he does! Give me goose bumps! lol

omegaman · 02-17-2008, 07:50 AM

I've never heard of him until I read the article. It seems that he is actually well known, and his website is quite interesting.

I don't think he has any issues. He is actually a businessman who enjoys his work.

yizuman · 02-17-2008, 08:29 PM

I think I have seen him on court tv a while back..

YouTube - NAKED COWBOY AND CINDY FOX ON CRISTINA'S COURT Part One

He's pretty much everywhere on television...

YouTube - Broadcast Yourself.

GarnetTigerMom · 02-18-2008, 03:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by yizuman

I think I have seen him on court tv a while back..

YouTube - NAKED COWBOY AND CINDY FOX ON CRISTINA'S COURT Part One

He's pretty much everywhere on television...

YouTube - Broadcast Yourself.

I seen him several times just only in his underwear in TV,, I think he gone bonkers lol

02-14-2008, 11:31 PM	#1 (permalink)
GarnetTigerMom Registered User Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Virginia Posts: 4,900	Do you think this Naked Cowboy will get a dime? 'Naked Cowboy' Sues for $6 Million NEW YORK (Feb. 13) - New York City street performer "The Naked Cowboy " is suing Mars Inc. for $6 million over the use of his trademark look -- white underwear, cowboy boots and a hat -- by a blue M&M candy on a Times Square billboard. For nearly a decade, Robert Burck has been a fixture in Times Square, where he strums a guitar on a street corner while dressed in his skimpy signature costume. In a lawsuit filed this week in Manhattan federal court, Burck said that two oversized Times Square billboards that promote M&Ms used his look without compensating him. The billboards feature a scantily clad blue M&M with a guitar alongside views of New York including street scenes and the Statue of Liberty. Burck is suing privately held Mars Inc., which makes M&Ms, and Chute Gerdeman Inc., an Ohio agency that he said created the ad, for trademark infringement. Neither company was immediately available for comment. "Just like The Naked Cowboy does on a daily basis in Times Square, the M&M is not only dressed as "The Naked Cowboy ," it is playing the Naked Cowboy 's distinctive white guitar in the cartoon," the lawsuit said. Mars and Chute Gerdeman "decided to exploit and trade upon The Naked Cowboy 's well-recognized likeness without a license and without furnishing any compensation," the lawsuit said. Burck has trademarked his signature look and has made several television and movie appearances in costume, including for a televised audition on the "American Idol" reality TV program, the lawsuit said. (Reporting by Edith Honan, Editing by Michelle Nichols and Xavier Briand) You will find this news in AOL or any other news about him. In my opinion I don't think he will get a dime! I think he nuts! ha __________________ GarnetTigerMom "The rain may be falling hard outside, But your smile makes it all alright. I'm so glad that you're my friend. I know our friendship will never end." -- Robert Alan

02-15-2008, 04:50 PM	#2 (permalink)
pek1 Professional Writer. Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Minnesota. Posts: 3,468	I read the article on cnn and I believe he has a rock solid case. His name he uses is copyrighted and trademarked and Mars, Inc., should know better. Personally, I would have sued for way more than the amount he's going after them for. __________________ Pete Above Him there is no other . . . John 14:6.

02-15-2008, 10:36 PM	#4 (permalink)
GarnetTigerMom Registered User Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Virginia Posts: 4,900	Yeah you could be right, But I personally think he crazy going out there just wearing his underwear, cowboy boots and hat in public. He must be crazy just to try to gain 15 mintues of fame for attention. :-) __________________ GarnetTigerMom "The rain may be falling hard outside, But your smile makes it all alright. I'm so glad that you're my friend. I know our friendship will never end." -- Robert Alan

02-17-2008, 07:50 AM	#7 (permalink)
omegaman ambient Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Remember what the doorknob said... Posts: 863	I've never heard of him until I read the article. It seems that he is actually well known, and his website is quite interesting. I don't think he has any issues. He is actually a businessman who enjoys his work. __________________

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02-17-2008, 08:29 PM	#8 (permalink)
yizuman Registered User Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 57	I think I have seen him on court tv a while back.. YouTube - NAKED COWBOY AND CINDY FOX ON CRISTINA'S COURT Part One He's pretty much everywhere on television... YouTube - Broadcast Yourself.