A lawsuit filed in Philadelphia federal court shows it may not be so “S M R T” to mess with popular Twentieth Century Fox properties like “The Simpsons.” While “Simpsons” knock-offs are certainly nothing new, the complaint alleges one Media man has been continuing to run what the media giant terms an infringing pop-up bar based on the show’s watering hole, Moe’s Tavern , even after he was asked to stop. “For months, plaintiff has attempted to resolve this matter without litigation,” according to the lawsuit filed in the U.
S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania by Ballard Spahr attorney Hara Jacobs. “Plaintiff has repeatedly requested that defendants discontinue their unauthorized use of plaintiff’s intellectual property, and defendants falsely promised they would do so,” the complaint reads.
“Instead, defendants merely feigned willingness to cooperate while continuing and expanding their infringing business operations.” The suit alleges claims against Joseph McCullough, JMC Pop Ups LLC and Samantha Shutter for copyright and trademark infringement, unfair competition and cybersquatting for use of related website names. McCullough could not be reached for comment Friday, but the Moe’s Pop Up website states that it is a “fan made parody event” and is not associated with “The Simpsons,” 20th Century Fox, Fox or Disney.
The complaint claims, however, that the defendants have been infringing on Fox’s copyrighted material.
