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The Inquisitor Is Sued By Fox NewsFox News Objects to Paper's Use of Word "Conservative" on Masthead
Since 1972, the Inquisitor's masthead has carried the slogan, "Central California's Leading Conservative Weekly Since 1926." The continued use of that slogan is what the legal eagles at Fox News are now aiming to prohibit. The Fox suit claims that the word "conservative" is a trademark of Fox News. Specifically, the suit objects to the Inquisitor's holding itself out as a "leading conservative" source. The suit is similar to the Fox suit against comedian Al Franken for his use of the words "fair" and "balanced" in the title of his latest book, "Lies and the Lying Liars Who Tell Them: A Fair and Balanced Look at the Right." But, whereas Franken was clearly having a joke at Fox's expense, Fox News CEO Ruper Murdoch claims the Inquisitor suit is more in the nature of a full frontal assault on Fox's conservative values. Murdoch stated, "We are the leading media outlet in conservative causes. We object to any other media outlet -- broadcast or print -- holding themselves out to be a leading conservative anything." Popular Fox host Bill O'Reilly echoed Murdoch's thoughts. "Conservatism begins and ends with Fox News," said O'Reilly. "The Inquisitor is almost leftist by our standards."
As for the Inquisitor suit, Fox attorneys have suggested the Inquisitor change its slogan to "Central California's Leading Slightly Right of Center Weekly" or to add a footnote at the bottom of each of each page acknowledging that the Inquisitor is "nowhere near as conservative as Fox News."
Lawyers representing the Inquisitor are trying to work out a settlement with the powerful media giant. Fox lawyers are reportedly also examining whether the name of the foundation that owns the Inquisitor may also be violating one or more Fox trademarks. The Conservative Republican Action Perogative (C.R.A.P.) has owned and operated the Inquisitor since 2001. |
The Inquisitor found itself on the receiving end of Fox News' legal
department this week when it was served with a lawsuit for violating
Fox News' trademarks.
Some legal observers have been taking a hard look at a new
military recruiting campaign that also employs the use of the
words "fair" and "balanced" and wondering to what extent Fox will seek
to enforce its alleged trademark on the words. The campaign
features a soldier guarding an Iraqi oil well, with the words
"Military Commissions: Fair, Balanced, Just."
The Inquisitor's Editor-in-Chief, Hurd Hobson responded to the
attack. "The Inquisitor has always tried to idealize all
conservative ideals," said Hobson, "from rampant exploitation
of the environment, to unrestricted access to guns for every
U.S. citizen, to requiring prayer, baptisms, and bible studies
in the schools. It's hard for me to believe we're under attack,
but then again Fox News is awfully conservative."