dubbi
Radical Wumbologist
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- May 29, 2006
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In March 2007, Contra Costa Times journalist Bruce Gertsman syndicated an article exposing a legal battle between Troy Walker and Nickelodeon Studios regarding the true origins of the popular Sponge Bob Squarepants character. The lawsuit argues that the design was lifted from Walker's Bob Spongee character. The lawsuit drew international attention, and Viacom, Nickelodeon's parent company, have publicly stated that they believe the claim is baseless.
On January 4th 2008, a settlement conference was conducted between Troy Walker and Viacom, Paramount Studios and Nickelodeon Studios at the Northern District Federal Courts in San Francisco. No settlement was reached and the parties were ordered to return to court for another settlement conference set for May. A jury trial is set for June 2008.
Walker's point of view contends that Bob Spongee and Sponge Bob are both cartoon depictions of a kitchen sponge with apparent similarities in characters, titles, and stories. In opposition to this, Viacom claims that Bob Spongee and Sponge Bob are different characters.
One of Walker's similarity claims involves the title of Bob Spongee/Sponge Bob stories. In 1992, Bob Spongee mail order advertisements were published in the Oakland Tribune under the slogan "Sponge for Hire." In 2004, Paramount Studios released a Sponge Bob video with the same "Sponge for Hire" title. As part of the court hearing, the first episode of Sponge Bob Squarepants entitled "Help Wanted" (airdate May 1, 1999) was entered as part of the evidence in Walker vs. Viacom.
Source Wikipedia
On January 4th 2008, a settlement conference was conducted between Troy Walker and Viacom, Paramount Studios and Nickelodeon Studios at the Northern District Federal Courts in San Francisco. No settlement was reached and the parties were ordered to return to court for another settlement conference set for May. A jury trial is set for June 2008.
Walker's point of view contends that Bob Spongee and Sponge Bob are both cartoon depictions of a kitchen sponge with apparent similarities in characters, titles, and stories. In opposition to this, Viacom claims that Bob Spongee and Sponge Bob are different characters.
One of Walker's similarity claims involves the title of Bob Spongee/Sponge Bob stories. In 1992, Bob Spongee mail order advertisements were published in the Oakland Tribune under the slogan "Sponge for Hire." In 2004, Paramount Studios released a Sponge Bob video with the same "Sponge for Hire" title. As part of the court hearing, the first episode of Sponge Bob Squarepants entitled "Help Wanted" (airdate May 1, 1999) was entered as part of the evidence in Walker vs. Viacom.
Source Wikipedia
