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Naked Cowboy calls for duel with blue M&M New York's famed Naked Cowboy has filed a lawsuit against Mars, claiming that the blue M&M is ripping off his act in an animated video running in Times Square. A snippet from the video shows the blue M&M dolled up in Western garb and playing a guitar—an act that the Naked Cowboy, aka Robert Burck, claims is too similar to his own. As the New York Post reports, Burck, 37, has filed suit, seeking $6 million-plus for trademark infringement and other claims. Burck says he initially thought the video was cool, but then realized Mars was leeching off his own success. “All I’ve got is my underwear,” he says. “It’s the most brilliant thing that’s ever been created from a marketing perspective. You can’t stop it.” —Posted by Tim Nudd

February 13, 2008 in Nudd | Permalink

Comments

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HI all,
I am the official writer for NAKED COWBOY: KING OF TIMES SQUARE. This is his own comic book. When I decided to do a comic about him, I made sure that I was able to do it, I called him up and we agreed upon a deal. M&Ms did nothing of the sort. So, he does have a case. For all who is wandering you can get his first comic here, www.indyplanet.com, We have the Rock Band HELIX in the next issue coming soon. Go to www.myspace.com/dravencomics to get the update on myspace. Thanks and take care.

Jarrod-
Naked Cowboy: comic book writer-

Posted by: NAKED COWBOY COMIC WRITER | Feb 13, 2008 7:35:50 PM

It is a little ridiculous that a major company like Mars would come up with an ad like this without obtaining rights..

...It is complete arrogance on their part, they are lumping the Naked Cowboy in with the homeless and street performers.

He most certainly is not - I've seen him in a car commercial, and he has his own website.

(Actually, maybe that wasn't him in the car commercial - but it certainly looked like him- That might be another lawsuit)

Hopefully they can work out a deal, and he will be compensated....

...And since today is Valentine's Day, here's hopeing he will find his Naked Cowgirl.

Posted by: David | Feb 14, 2008 6:21:41 AM

Wow. this is groundbreaking news.

Posted by: rod | Feb 15, 2008 1:51:15 PM

I love that they obtained rights from all the other "celebrities" that they made likenesses of but not him. dumb.

Posted by: thatguy | Feb 15, 2008 8:39:09 PM

Mars Incorporated is being sued for alleged idea theft of Addams Family M&M’s commercials. The idea was rejected, so how did these commercials hit national airwaves making millions for the launch of M&M’s Dark Chocolate?

Link to press release:
http://www.genesiscreations.biz/releases/release/4512681/15938.htm

Thx,
Bonnie Vent

Posted by: Bonnie Vent | Apr 2, 2008 8:25:02 AM

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