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Tatsunoko Inc., the Japanese company who owns the rights to the classic anime Speed Racer, is suing the U.S. production team Speed Racer Enterprises Inc. for false advertising, unfair competition, interference, and misappropriation of intellectual property rights.
The list of malfeasants sounds pretty harsh, but will it merit anything significant in courts?
While it was over a decade ago that Tatsunoko granted Speed Racer Enterprises the rights to the show, the former is now alleging that despite their contract to let the series air on American channels through 2010, Speed Racer Enterprises ‘misappropriated and exploited the rights (to the show)’ long after the contract was up. Specifically, SRE Inc. is accused of licensing the property to several companies — among them, Lions Gate and Toonz Entertainment — without properly reimbursing Tatsunoko.
According to Courthouse News Service, Tatsunoko is now seeking damages, as well as a court injunction and declaration that they are now the rightful owners of the property. Dunno what Tatsunoko is so worried about — surely nothing could be a bigger bomb for the company than the tanking of their 2008 live film adaptation; maybe LionsGate or Toonz could give it the fresh makeover it deserves.
Jeff Nau – who has written 1264 posts on The Jace Hall Show.
Jeff Nau is a main contributor to the Jace Hall Show covering pop culture and music trends in the nerd community. He has contributed to San Diego City Beat, 944, and Ill Literature, amongst others, and spends his spare time working as an artist and photographer.

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