Do These Boots Look Like Marlon Brando? His Estate Seems To Think So

from the likeness? dept

Fri, May 20th 2011 9:55am — Mike Masnick

In the grand tradition of the estate of Humphrey Bogart suing over a couch, the estate of Marlon Brando is suing Harley Davidson, claiming that Harley's new "Brando" boots misappropriate the actor's "likeness." I dunno, what do you think: Hosted by imgur.com

Of course, it's true that Harley Davidson has its own history of being massively overprotective when it comes to its own trademarks and such, but I'm not sure that justifies a silly and pointless lawsuit over these boots.

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Filed Under: boots, marlon brando, misappropriation of likeness
Companies: harley davidson

30 Comments

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rw (profile), 20 May 2011 @ 9:00am

...so, which is Brando?
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Anonymous Coward, 20 May 2011 @ 9:57am

He's got what plants crave.
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Chronno S. Trigger (profile), 20 May 2011 @ 10:00am

Re:
Electrolytes?
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Dark Helmet (profile), 20 May 2011 @ 10:02am

Re: Re:
Death?
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Killer_Tofu (profile), 20 May 2011 @ 10:12am

Re: Re:
Oh please no. I already have fears that the world actually is headed in that direction.
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Chuck Norris' Enemy (deceased) (profile), 20 May 2011 @ 10:16am

Re:
They both are. Duh!
How would anyone be duped if someone came up to you on the street, asked, "Do you want to see a picture of actor Marlon Brando?" and shows you a picture of boots...and you really believe that the boots are an actor?
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Anonymous Coward, 20 May 2011 @ 10:24am

Re: Re: Re:
sad isn't it?
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Crazy Hong Kong Monkey, 20 May 2011 @ 10:29am

Just re-brand them as Brand-O
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DannyB (profile), 20 May 2011 @ 10:31am

Re: Re: Re: Re:
To cheer you up, you can tune in to the "Ow! My Balls!" channel for nonstop 24/7 entertainment.

(I think it's called YouTube.)
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Anonymous Coward, 20 May 2011 @ 10:32am

Re:
Marl-On-Brand-O Boots�
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Ima Fish (profile), 20 May 2011 @ 10:34am

"Do These Boots Look Like Marlon Brando?"

No. But they do make me think of over-priced audio and video cables. I think Monster Cable should sue for trademark infringement and trademark dilution. Plus unfair competition. Because we all know the capitalism has to be fair.
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Dan (profile), 20 May 2011 @ 10:37am

Rights to last name use
It all comes down to the right of a public figure to have exclusive use of their last name as a brand. Is there such a thing? Good question.
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Anonymous Coward, 20 May 2011 @ 10:41am

Perfection...
The pot is calling the kettle black *and* the shoe is on the other foot. What more could one ask for in a perfect universe?
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Anonymous Coward, 20 May 2011 @ 10:42am

Re: Rights to last name use
My last name is PepsiCocaColaMicrosoftAppleJohnsonandJohnson
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Someantimalwareguy, 20 May 2011 @ 11:01am

Re: Re:
How would anyone be duped if someone came up to you on the street, asked, "Do you want to see a picture of actor Marlon Brando?" and shows you a picture of boots...and you really believe that the boots are an actor?

Must be some damned good acting...
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decline, 20 May 2011 @ 11:21am

Well...can you blame them?
Honestly HD should just think of some other name for their over-brand yourself even more boots. And if my last name was Brando I wouldn't want my name associated with HD in any way shape or form. Just that they have even bothered to name them "Brando Boots" tells you something about their over saturated branding of their riders. Let me guess this is part of their new "Black" label? Black designs on black.
They have reached the level of Spinal Tap.
How about just calling them, "Frustrated Won't Run Kickers"
Harley Davidson - Image for the ignorant

And it should tell you something, as lame as it still is, "Brando" was allowed on a Triumph jacket.
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Anonymous Coward, 20 May 2011 @ 11:35am

One bitch suing another bitch, as I do not partake of ethers products I hope they sue the shit out of each other. Tax a 750cc bike, fuck you assholes.
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ottermaton (profile), 20 May 2011 @ 11:56am

harley craziness
From the article: "Of course, it's true that Harley Davidson has its own history of being massively overprotective when it comes to its own trademarks and such"

Totally brought to mind a long time ago when I heard that Harley was trying to patent (or maybe trademark?) the sound of their bikes. I thought then, and think now, "What a bunch of dipshits!" Don't know if they succeeded - suppose the answer is only a Google away.

A small digression: the South Park episode about Harley "fags" is hysterical and every Harley rider should be forced to watch it, Clockwork Orange style.
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Anonymous Coward, 20 May 2011 @ 12:23pm

Re: harley craziness
potato-potato-potato-potato-potato...
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el_segfaulto (profile), 20 May 2011 @ 12:28pm

Re: Re: Re:
Cake please!
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Anonymous Coward, 20 May 2011 @ 12:43pm

I like money. They like money.
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Anonymous Coward, 20 May 2011 @ 12:58pm

I like Money..... and Starbucks.
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NullOp, 20 May 2011 @ 1:03pm

Boots
Ur kiddin, rite?
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Angry Puppy (profile), 20 May 2011 @ 1:23pm

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re:
I think "America'a Funniest Home Videos" is another contender. Almost every episode has a hit to the crotch scene. America loves the nut shot.
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HothMonster, 20 May 2011 @ 1:30pm

Re: Rights to last name use
It all comes down to the right of a dead guy's family to have exclusive use of their last name as a brand because one of their ancestors was famous once. Is there such a thing? There damn well shouldn't be.

fixed that for you
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Angry Puppy (profile), 20 May 2011 @ 1:33pm

Re: harley craziness
RE: South Park episode about Harley "fags"

Only the Jersey Shore episode was funnier than that one. I hate the sound of a Harley even if the pipe baffles are still in place. I've been riding large highway cruiser style motorcycles since I was 17 and the quieter the bike the more enjoyable the ride.

Also, if the boots are like my experience with Harley Davidson motorcycles you will have to re-sole them once a week and every step you take vibrates to the point of pain and sounds like you are breaking wind.
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trish, 20 May 2011 @ 5:34pm

meh
I don't think they look very similar. Distant cousins maybe. I think the boots should've got the part of Don Corleone, if they'd just gone to the audition.
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Lawrence D'Oliveiro, 21 May 2011 @ 8:41pm

Re: Perfection...
Go on, just put the boot in, why don�t you.
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Anonymoahahahaha, 22 May 2011 @ 1:02am

Re: Re: Re:
+1, sir; well-played.
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Lachlan Hunt (profile), 23 May 2011 @ 7:22am

The article you linked to does not claim the boots resemble the actor himself and you are blatantly misrepresenting the issue here. It clearly states:

According to the lawsuit, the boots look similar to a pair that Brando wore in the 1953 classic The Wild One.

Since neither you nor the other article actually included a picture of those boots from the film, it is difficult to evaluate the claim here, at least as far as the similarity of the boots is concerned. (I'll leave it to the lawyers to fight over whether the Brando estate actually has any rights whatsoever to the design of the boots, even if they are similar.)
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