The real question is why it wasn't trademarked by the record company in 1977, when the original album came out.
I should think that any reasonable judge (okay, I may be over-hopeful here) is going to declare some sort of joint ownership, based on the original album. As to the cash value, I hope both sides have good lawyers and accountants so as to work out how much has already gone to both sides in the form of royalties over the years. And, I hate to say this, but Jim Steinman knew this was coming in 1995 when he took out that trademark. My guess is that he was covering his bases when he did that. (It's like Pat Riley trademarking "Threepeat" at about the same time.)
Clearly this is coming up now because of the imminent release of "Bat Out of Hell III." At this point, Meat Loaf could probably pull a Prince, name the album "3", avoid the trademark issue, make a bazillion dollars, and leave Steinman collecting only the royalties on the existing albums.
It gets annoying when people start saying, "A bazillion dollars isn't enough! I need ten bazillion!" Oy.
Well, yeah. Steinman's written at least a few more good songs too, including "Total Eclipse of the Heart" and "Making Love (Out Of Nothing At All)", so I'd say he's no slouch. :)
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branchandroot
no subject
Date: 2006-06-06 10:14 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-06-07 07:17 am (UTC)I should think that any reasonable judge (okay, I may be over-hopeful here) is going to declare some sort of joint ownership, based on the original album. As to the cash value, I hope both sides have good lawyers and accountants so as to work out how much has already gone to both sides in the form of royalties over the years. And, I hate to say this, but Jim Steinman knew this was coming in 1995 when he took out that trademark. My guess is that he was covering his bases when he did that. (It's like Pat Riley trademarking "Threepeat" at about the same time.)
Clearly this is coming up now because of the imminent release of "Bat Out of Hell III." At this point, Meat Loaf could probably pull a Prince, name the album "3", avoid the trademark issue, make a bazillion dollars, and leave Steinman collecting only the royalties on the existing albums.
It gets annoying when people start saying, "A bazillion dollars isn't enough! I need ten bazillion!" Oy.
no subject
Date: 2006-06-07 07:58 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-06-07 05:24 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-06-07 08:12 pm (UTC)