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darkcloud4579 · 07-23-2003, 11:50 PM

MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL ANNOUNCES INTENTIONS TO SUE

NEW YORK - Major League Baseball today filed suit in US District Court against Third Major League, a fledging major league that intends to start next season, on the grounds of copyright infringment.

"The league has used names of franchises that are the property of Major League Baseball. Surely, a man like Lamar Hunt, would know this," said Board of Governor counsel Mark Shapiro.

"If the name is stolen, you gotta give us ours...swollen," said Johnny Cochran, who is acting as a consultant to the MLB "Dream Team" suit against 3ML.

The Third Major League has decided to establish franchises using the names of past Major League clubs. While Hunt says 3ML clubs will have different logos than those of major league ones that used to be in those cities, he believes that there is no copyright on the names, after those teams moved. "We're not stealing, if anything, we're trying to help these cities who have been robbed by Major League Baseball," he said.

Despite this, MLB officials are confident the court will grant a temporary restraining order, to ensure that the team names are not used and the league has to either rename its clubs or wait for the case to go to trial.

"We're not challenging their right to exist. The anti-trust exemption was repealed and so, they have a right to start their league," said Bob Costas, Board of Governors chair, who says he believes the leagues can work together.

"Baseball welcomes everyone and we're delighted that others want to join the majors. Its just a matter of whether or not, this league will be a legitimate major league," he said.

Update

JUDGE GRANTS INJUNCTION
NEW YORK - A US District Court judge granted an injunction today in the case of the Third Major League's usage of trademarked names of former major league clubs. "We are not here to settle disputes of leagues or their rivals. We are simply discussing the matter of trademarks and copyrights," said District Court Judge Mark Barringer.

Lamar Hunt, of the Third Major League says that despite the ruling, the league will go forward with its plans to place teams in cities. "We will be ready for next season!" he said in a press conference.

Despite his enthusiasm, reports are swirling that major backers of the league such as Charles Dolan, Michael Jordan and others, have been reportedly contacted by Major League Baseball, to become owners in its MLB World league. The MLB World league would negotiate its own television deal, rumored to be signficantly larger than the US major league contract. "This league has the potential to be huge. I don't see them competing with that with some rinky dink local league. Its just a case of bad timing, I think."

Hunt, who is an owner of four Major League Soccer (MLS) franchises, says he believes the single entity structure can work in baseball and he would fund the clubs himself if necessary.

"If he think that's going to work, then look at the fact that MLS isn't considered to be an elite league by anyone's standards," said Andrew Zimbalist, a sports economist.

Hunt is expected to meet with MLB officials in the next week or so considering markets and how the league will operate cohesively with the existing major league structure.

"We want this to be cordial and professional," said Costas.

07-23-2003, 11:50 PM	#264
darkcloud4579 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Jun 2003 Posts: 8,711	MLB TO SUE 3ML MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL ANNOUNCES INTENTIONS TO SUE NEW YORK - Major League Baseball today filed suit in US District Court against Third Major League, a fledging major league that intends to start next season, on the grounds of copyright infringment. "The league has used names of franchises that are the property of Major League Baseball. Surely, a man like Lamar Hunt, would know this," said Board of Governor counsel Mark Shapiro. "If the name is stolen, you gotta give us ours...swollen," said Johnny Cochran, who is acting as a consultant to the MLB "Dream Team" suit against 3ML. The Third Major League has decided to establish franchises using the names of past Major League clubs. While Hunt says 3ML clubs will have different logos than those of major league ones that used to be in those cities, he believes that there is no copyright on the names, after those teams moved. "We're not stealing, if anything, we're trying to help these cities who have been robbed by Major League Baseball," he said. Despite this, MLB officials are confident the court will grant a temporary restraining order, to ensure that the team names are not used and the league has to either rename its clubs or wait for the case to go to trial. "We're not challenging their right to exist. The anti-trust exemption was repealed and so, they have a right to start their league," said Bob Costas, Board of Governors chair, who says he believes the leagues can work together. "Baseball welcomes everyone and we're delighted that others want to join the majors. Its just a matter of whether or not, this league will be a legitimate major league," he said. Update JUDGE GRANTS INJUNCTION NEW YORK - A US District Court judge granted an injunction today in the case of the Third Major League's usage of trademarked names of former major league clubs. "We are not here to settle disputes of leagues or their rivals. We are simply discussing the matter of trademarks and copyrights," said District Court Judge Mark Barringer. Lamar Hunt, of the Third Major League says that despite the ruling, the league will go forward with its plans to place teams in cities. "We will be ready for next season!" he said in a press conference. Despite his enthusiasm, reports are swirling that major backers of the league such as Charles Dolan, Michael Jordan and others, have been reportedly contacted by Major League Baseball, to become owners in its MLB World league. The MLB World league would negotiate its own television deal, rumored to be signficantly larger than the US major league contract. "This league has the potential to be huge. I don't see them competing with that with some rinky dink local league. Its just a case of bad timing, I think." Hunt, who is an owner of four Major League Soccer (MLS) franchises, says he believes the single entity structure can work in baseball and he would fund the clubs himself if necessary. "If he think that's going to work, then look at the fact that MLS isn't considered to be an elite league by anyone's standards," said Andrew Zimbalist, a sports economist. Hunt is expected to meet with MLB officials in the next week or so considering markets and how the league will operate cohesively with the existing major league structure. "We want this to be cordial and professional," said Costas.