Home > News > Universal, Fifty Shades LTD File New Motion Against Smash Pictures • Bookmark   • Newsletters   • Register Search Options

NEWS STORY

Universal, Fifty Shades LTD File New Motion Against Smash Pictures

Universal, Fifty Shades LTD File New Motion Against Smash Pictures
Get XBIZ News
XBIZ Research
Are you considering Bitcoin as an alternative form of payment for your business?
Yes
  23.83%
No
  47.15%
I don't know enough about it
  29.02%
Out of 193 votes. Results based on votes submitted by members of XBIZ.net social network.
Friday, Feb 1, 2013    Text size: 

LOS ANGELES — Universal City Studios and Fifty Shades Ltd on Tuesday filed for a preliminary injunction against Smash Pictures to halt the sale and distribution of its parody “This Isn’t Fifty Shades of Grey XXX."

The motion states, “Plaintiffs ask this Court to enjoin the marketing, sale, and distribution of Defendants’ infringing adaptation of the 'Fifty Shades Trilogy,' a quickly and cheaply produced pornographic work that is likely to cause Plaintiffs irreparable harm by poisoning public perception of the 'Fifty Shades Trilogy' and the forthcoming Universal films.”

Universal City Studios and Fifty Shades Ltd filed a trademark infringement lawsuit against Smash Pictures in November, seeking an injunction, actual damages and punitive damages for copyright infringement, false designation of origin, false advertising, trademark dilution, business law violations and unfair competition.

The lawsuit claims that Smash used “exact dialogue, characters, events, story and style from the 'Fifty Shades Trilogy'” in its parody.

In the new motion filed in federal court on Tuesday, Universal City Studios and Fifty Shades Ltd state that Smash Pictures’ parody will damage the reputation of the “Fifty Shades” property, which Universal is adapting for the big screen and releasing through its indie banner Focus Features.

“Defendants’ crude pornographic portrayal of the erotic elements central to the 'Fifty Shades Trilogy' fails to capture the unique and delicate balance of provocative sex, emotional romance, and self-deprecating humor that has resulted in a worldwide literary phenomenon," the motion reads.

“For consumers who view the ‘XXX Adaptation’ in lieu of reading the books or watching the ‘Fifty Shades’ films, or for those who simply learn of the ‘Fifty Shades Trilogy’s' existence in a hardcore porn format, the reputational damage to these already-controversial erotic novels and films is immeasurable and irreparable.”

Universal City Studios and Fifty Shades Ltd have requested an April 1 hearing date. A copy of the motion can be seen on Deadline.com.

More ways to get XBIZ News:  RSS Feeds  |  E-Newsletters  |  Desktop Widget  |  Mobile
Looking for porn star news and behind-the-scene videos? Check out XFANZ.com !

PROFILES & BIOS

Exec Seat: Steve Volponi - The Devil You Know

Devil’s Film Director of Sales Steve Volponi has been closing deals for more than 20 years. “It’s not as easy as it used to be, but it beats tarring roofs,” he quips, an example... More »

WIA Profile: Kerin De Francis

Each month, industry news media organization XBIZ spotlights the career accomplishments and outstanding contributions of Women in Adult. WIA profiles offer an intimate look at the professional lives of... More »

Exec Seat: Eddie Arenas, Naughty America

Meet Eddie Arenas, Naughty America’s CEO. Arenas joined the the Southern California company in 2005 after work in mainstream advertising and postproduction. Five years later, in 2010, he rose to... More »
XBIZ NEWSLETTERS
Stay informed of the latest industry developments. Get XBIZ newsletters delivered to your inbox. Subscribe today!
Enter email address:

* To manage existing subscriptions click here.






POPULAR PRODUCTS & SERVICES
Submit your press release to
multiple news outlets with 1 click.
Subscribe to RSS news feeds or
add free content to your website.
Access XBIZ news and articles
with your mobile device.
Subscribe to XBIZ Premiere magazine, the industry's leading adult retail trade publications, delivering the most timely and comprehensive business news and information to producers and retailers of adult products.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Eurowebtainment

May 22 - May 25
Majorca, Spain

Exxxotica South Florida

May 31 - Jun 02
Fort Lauderdale, Florida

The ETO Show

Jun 23 - Jun 24
Birmingham, United Kingdom

EXXXOTICA Chicago

Jul 12 - Jul 14
Chicago, Illinois
Everyday thousands of business professionals browse XBIZ's industry directory for quality products and services. Not listed yet? Your company could be losing potential new business. Submit your company today!
Use XBIZ RSS feeds to stay informed of the latest industry developments or as a content syndication tool for your website!