One event that didn’t get much play in the media was that Michael Moore held ten benefit screenings of Fahrenheit 9/11, the day before the movie opened, with the proceeds going to various local charitable organizations. So he’s already given some of the money away…
I think Moore’s contempt for the copyright law is rather obvious, isn’t it? After all, he ripped off the title of his film from Ray Bradbury who, by the way, is furious about it and is demanding that Moore change it. Incidentally, he lodged this complaint six months ago and Moore ignored it until the middle of June just before the film’s release.
Actually, titles can’t be copyrighted. Many works wind up having the same or similar titles, and allusions to other works are fairly common in titles.
Including some of Bradbury’s own work but people who just want to find reasons to slam Moore are going for anything. It’s actually quite funny to see this reaction.
The whole situation is a win-win.
People who may be ashamed to be seen going to this movie, or who live in a town where that sort of liberal entertainment isn’t welcome, can now see the film for themselves and decide for themselves its meaning - rather than relying on something they read or heard. (Which is more than can be said about some of the folks who criticize it around here.)
Meanwhile a few right wingers are going to get sued and/or prosecuted for their slimy, extralegal campaign against a popular liberal voice. (Which is more than can be said about 99.99% of slimy, extralegal right wingers during the last 12 years or so.)
From MEBuckner’s cite, it seems Bradbury was not in much a position to demand anything and Moore was under no obligation to humor him. Could you explain how this is contempt for copywrite law? And could you comment on Yojimbo’s point that Bradbury had done the same thing?
“Cool,” thinks Moore, “lots more free publicity for my film that’s already made a vast profit. And the only trade off is some cheap-skates, who probably wouldn’t have gone to see the film legally anyway, get to see a rotten pirated version.”
I guess he’s going to be really upset about that. So much so he may go around to MooreWatch.com and shake them all by the hand.
My explanation would be that I misunderstood copyright law. Given the facts as stated by Buck, I do not understand why both Moore and his distributors have expressed such deep regrets. Or why Moore did not call Bradbury for months after promising to call promptly.
and say what, exactly?
“Hey Ray, I’m sorry you are upset at me using a title similar to one of yours, but I’m going to use it anyway and there isn’t really much you can do.”
or
“Hello, Mr Bradbury, in relation to your claims of plaigarism of the title of one of your works, could you please address any future similar claims to the law firm, Pot, Kettle and Black”.
What he actually said was that he was “embarrassed”.
I think Moore probably just forgot to call or never got the message in the first place. Not that it matters. The most Moore is guilty of is being rude about returning a phone call. He owes Bradbury nothing and took nothing away from him.
I wonder if Ray Bradbury is going to apologize to William Shakespeare for ripping off “Something Wicked This Way Comes.” That’s even a direct quotation, not simply an allusion.
Moore didn’t even take Bradbury’s title, he just used a single word from one of Bradbury’s titles. Star Wars is a pretty well known title. Should anyone who wants to use the word “Star” in a title have to call George Lucas for his blessing? How about “Wars?”
That reminds me of when Warner Brothers threatened to sure the Marx Brothers to stop them from spoofing Casablanca. Groucho responded to one of WB’s letters with, “You claim you own Casablanca and that no one else can use that name without your permission. What about ‘Warner Brothers’? Do you own that, too? You probably have the right to use the name Warner, but what about Brothers? Professionally, we were brothers long before you were”.
Thanks for the reminder, that’s a beautiful piece, Lib.
As a side note, it’s good to see manhattan’s back in town.
Mr. Bradbury needs to go in for an ego trim, and a self-importance tuck.
First off, Farhenhiet 411 wasn’t exactly Dune. We ain’t talking bestseller here, just one of a number of more-or-less forgettable novels from the Sci-fi as smooth, creamy, pablum era (though I hear there’s a new production of Ewwww! Robot!) A bold attack on book-burning! Edgy.
How many people do you think got the connection the first time they heard it? One in 50? Mostly, the title reflects Moore’s days as a lonely, bookish, teenager who spent time in the library because his lunch money had been extorted. Ray Bradbury is approved, he’s in the school library, Philip Jose Farmer is not.
If Moore wanted to pimp a pun-title for the sake of recognition, he should have picked a Stephen King, or, God help us, a Dean Koontz.
If I had to guess, I would bet Moore did it as a sentimental homage, it certainly doesn’t make much sense otherwise. He probably thought Bradbury would be honored, pleased even to be remembered.
Look, Ray, shaddup all ready! You’ll probably get an extra $5 this month from people reading F4/11 again. Use it to pick up some old copies of Harlan Ellison’s Dangerous Visions series and reflect on what might have been…
Mr. Bradbury was represented in Again, Dangerous Visions. If I recall correctly, the leadoff story. The bulk of his writing is hardly “smooth, creamy pablum.” But as far as in re Moore goes, you’re absolutely right: Bradbury does not have a leg to stand on.
Because he’s not the author-disrespecting dipstick you wanted to paint him as?
I mean, heck, “Weird Al” Yankovic still regrets the mix-up that led him to parody “Gangster’s Paradise” after he thought Coolio gave permission to do so (when he didn’t), but Al hasn’t stopped playing the song, and nobody thinks less of him for that. Sometimes all you need to do after a goof-up is to apologize and move on.
Egg on red face. Just so, Christ, Old Student in a New School, as you said. Not the leadoff story, but there, sure as shootin’.
Mea fuckup
Hell, I got it. And I’ve never read any Bradbury book, let alone Farhenhiet 451. So it can’t be as tough as all that.
It sort of stuck out to me since 9/11 isn’t a temperature.
So the worst you can accuse Moore of is bad manners? No wonder you’re upset!