Don't Say Something Bad About John Dillinger; His Great-Nephew Might Sue

from the intellectual-property-run-amok dept

Against Monopoly points us to yet another article highlighting a ridiculous end result of excessive intellectual property laws. You’re probably familiar with the name John Dillinger, the famed bank robber who was eventually gunned down outside a Chicago movie theater. Apparently, his grand-nephew is now claiming rights over John Dillinger’s name, threatening to sue anyone who refers to Dillinger as a killer or trying to profit off of Dillinger’s name. This for a man who died over 70 years ago. This idea that someone’s name is “owned” by someone else, seems pretty ridiculous, but is the result of a misreading on an already bad Indiana law on privacy rights. The law was passed in 1994 and only applies to people who died after 1994 — meaning that Dillinger isn’t covered. Also, courts have been striking back against such laws, noting that they’re problematic when they end up limiting free speech or giving someone ownership over how factual information can be used. This is an unfortunate result of too many in our society believing that ideas and information can somehow be “owned” and controlled.

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Comments on “Don't Say Something Bad About John Dillinger; His Great-Nephew Might Sue”

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24 Comments
Erik (profile) says:

Beats working...

I guess the grand-nephew figures this is a better gig than, you know, trying to get a job. I mean, come on, it isn’t a direct relative, he’s a freakin’ nephew.

And he’s trying to capitalize on a law that doesn’t apply to John Dillinger. I bet his grand uncle would take him out behind the barn and whoop him good for being such an idiot.

Anonymous Coward says:

The real John Dillenger

It is truly sorry how so many of you attack John Dillenger without having any idea of the facts. John Dillenger was not a crazied killer like bonnie and clyde. He is rumoured to have killed only one person and the facts about that killing are so much in doubt(like the fact that he would have had to drive about 100 miles an hour for six hours to get to the bank where the murder took place) he probably killed no one. However the law enfocement agents chasing him probably killed more civilliams than the dillenger gangs ever did. So before you start attacking him get your stories striaght. He may have been a bank robber but it is highly doubtful he was a killer. And if he did kill anyone it was one person. He was not a murderous bastard as some of you claim.

I really can’t stand people who blab on about things without doing any research about them. I don’t agree with his great nephew’s crap but at least know what you are talking about.

I just worry that their are people out there who vote based on the same lack of research.

Robert Formely Anonymous Coward as apposed to Here says:

John Dillenger's reputation

It is truly sorry how so many of you attack John Dillenger without having any idea of the facts. John Dillenger was not a crazied killer like bonnie and clyde. He is rumoured to have killed only one person and the facts about that killing are so much in doubt(like the fact that he would have had to drive about 100 miles an hour for six hours to get to the bank where the murder took place) he probably killed no one. However the law enfocement agents chasing him probably killed more civilliams than the dillenger gangs ever did. So before you start attacking him get your stories striaght. He may have been a bank robber but it is highly doubtful he was a killer. And if he did kill anyone it was one person. He was not a murderous bastard as some of you claim.

I really can’t stand people who blab on about things without doing any research about them. I don’t agree with his great nephew’s crap but at least know what you are talking about.

I just worry that their are people out there who vote based on the same lack of research.

What a joke calling me Anonymous Coward when no one here uses a full name. It must be easy to know who someone called artic actual is(no offense to artic-just an example of how foolish the Anonymous Coward moniker is.

karry says:

Re: Re:

However the law enfocement agents chasing him probably killed more civilliams than the dillenger gangs ever did. So before you start attacking him get your stories striaght. He may have been a bank robber but it is highly doubtful he was a killer. And if he did kill anyone it was one person. He was not a murderous bastard as some of you claim.

I really can’t stand people who blab on about things without doing any research about them. I don’t agree laptop AC adapters with his great nephew’s crap but at least know what you are talking about.

I just worry that their are people out there who vote based on the same lack of research.

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