Buzz Aldrin Sues Topps

mharm2k6 · 01-01-2011, 03:36 AM

Just read this while trying to sober up.
Buzz Aldrin sues trading-card company Topps

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Associated Press

LOS ANGELES -- Former lunar astronaut Buzz Aldrin is not over the moon about the use of his photo on a series of trading cards.

The 80-year-old Aldrin sued Topps Inc. this week in federal court in Los Angeles, saying the company had unfairly profited from his historic achievement when they used an iconic photograph of Aldrin standing on the moon in a series of "American Heroes" trading cards.

Topps attorney Michael Kahn told the Los Angeles Times that the firm has a First Amendment right to include a factual description of the Apollo 11 mission and it included an image of Aldrin in his lunar suit because he is "an American hero."

The lawsuit seeks unspecified monetary damages and an order prohibiting Topps from marketing the cards.

enjoyale81 · 01-01-2011, 03:01 PM

I wonder which photo they're talking about. I think the only moon walk image that I've seen from the set is on the box.

BAMBAM · 01-01-2011, 03:16 PM

It's kind of sad but even more pathetic how card manufactures conduct business these days. The state of the card manufacturing industry is in the toilet so these companies are just grasping at any legal loophole they think they can use to not have to pay for licenses, image rights etc. in order to save cost on production of a product. Seeing how it worked out so great for UD over the years

you'd think the rest of them wouldn't follow suit.

mharm2k6 · 01-01-2011, 04:07 PM

When I read this: a). I was surprised that Aldrin and Topps didn't work out some agreement (they used his image in the Co-signers Moon Shots) prior to the use, and b). I didn't know Buzz owned the image of him on the moon... I always figured NASA owned those rights (kind of like how normal photographers own the rights to the image vs. the subject).

Nicnac · 01-01-2011, 05:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mharm2k6

I always figured NASA owned those rights (kind of like how normal photographers own the rights to the image vs. the subject).

In related news, NASA announces it is suing Topps... LOL

BroncosFAN#1 · 01-02-2011, 12:43 AM

I think its sad on Aldrins part. Maybe he didnt invest well and is trying to get some quick cash to leave to his family. I do think they should have permission but stuff is just messed up anymore.

lemur01 · 01-02-2011, 01:07 AM

How could Buzz not know? He has autos in a Topps product.....I think.

mightbe · 01-02-2011, 01:58 AM

Armstrong took the photo but NASA recognizes the images as public domain and doesn't claim copyrights to them. However, Aldrin has sued before (and won) over the images for having added value to a commercial product.

01-01-2011, 03:01 PM	#2 (permalink)
enjoyale81 Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 1,517 trmptmood1 enjoyale81	I wonder which photo they're talking about. I think the only moon walk image that I've seen from the set is on the box. __________________ Collecting Jockey autos and Louisville players auto/gu in Cardinals uniforms! For the time being I can only commit to getting to the post office on Saturdays, so it may take me longer to ship.

01-01-2011, 03:16 PM	#3 (permalink)
BAMBAM Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Southern New Jersey Posts: 8,395	It's kind of sad but even more pathetic how card manufactures conduct business these days. The state of the card manufacturing industry is in the toilet so these companies are just grasping at any legal loophole they think they can use to not have to pay for licenses, image rights etc. in order to save cost on production of a product. Seeing how it worked out so great for UD over the years you'd think the rest of them wouldn't follow suit. __________________ IF YOU CAN'T TAKE AN HONEST REPLY THEN DON'T ASK. ALWAYS BUYING '97 LEGENDS AUTOS OR H.O.F. AUTO NEEDS

01-01-2011, 04:07 PM	#4 (permalink)
mharm2k6 Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Omaha, NE Posts: 381 UniversalCityCA	When I read this: a). I was surprised that Aldrin and Topps didn't work out some agreement (they used his image in the Co-signers Moon Shots) prior to the use, and b). I didn't know Buzz owned the image of him on the moon... I always figured NASA owned those rights (kind of like how normal photographers own the rights to the image vs. the subject). __________________ LF: Frank Oz Autograph

01-02-2011, 12:43 AM	#6 (permalink)
BroncosFAN#1 Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Alliance NE (not by choice) Posts: 6,265 ElwayisGod Lakesports	I think its sad on Aldrins part. Maybe he didnt invest well and is trying to get some quick cash to leave to his family. I do think they should have permission but stuff is just messed up anymore. __________________ REALLY LOOKING FOR JOHN ELWAY, TERRELL DAVIS, CHAMP BAILEY, AND FORMER HUSKERS. ALSO WANT NICE PATCH CARDS OF ANY PLAYERBUCKET---http://s919.photobucket.com/albums/ad31/Lake_sportsmem/GO_BRONCOS/Trade%20or%20sell/High%20End/ I AM BETWEEN 2 STATES EVERY WEEK SO SOMETIMES THERE IS A DELAY IN SHIPPING. IF ITS A PROBLEM PLEASE DONT DEAL WITH ME.

01-02-2011, 01:07 AM	#7 (permalink)
lemur01 Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Did you just grab my A$$ ? Posts: 4,849 Ah we can dance if we want to, we can leave your friends behind. Cause your friends don't dance and if they don't dance, well they're no friends of mine.	How could Buzz not know? He has autos in a Topps product.....I think. __________________ Pull my Finger Have you been Lemur'd today? Currently hoarding mountains of cards that I should be trading.

01-02-2011, 01:58 AM	#8 (permalink)
mightbe Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 6,549 sleater--kinney MasterShake	Armstrong took the photo but NASA recognizes the images as public domain and doesn't claim copyrights to them. However, Aldrin has sued before (and won) over the images for having added value to a commercial product.

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