Tolkien Estate Sues Over Lord of the Rings Slot Machines

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Tolkien Estate Sues Over Lord of the Rings Slot Machines

Posted by Soulskill on Tuesday November 20, 2012 @11:12AM from the tricksy-hobbitses dept.

An anonymous reader writes "The Tolkien Estate has filed an $80 million copyright infringement lawsuit in U.S. District Court over the use of Lord of the Rings slot machines. The complaint hinges on a contract between the estate and Warner Bros. which allows the creation of LotR merchandise but not LotR 'intangibles,' like the experience of playing a slot machine game. According to the estate (PDF), 'Not only does the production of gambling games patently exceed the scope of defendants' rights, but this infringing conduct has outraged Tolkien's devoted fan base, causing irreparable harm to Tolkien's legacy and reputation and the valuable goodwill generated by his works.'"

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Doesn't the Tolkien estate... by ShaunC · 2012-11-20 11:16 · Score: 3, Insightful

...have enough FUCKING money yet?

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Thanks to the War on Drugs, it's easier to buy meth than it is to buy cold medicine!
1. Re:Doesn't the Tolkien estate... by detritus. · 2012-11-20 11:17 · Score: 5, Funny
  
  They still haven't found the precious.
2. Re:Doesn't the Tolkien estate... by wierd_w · 2012-11-20 11:18 · Score: 5, Funny
  
  No. No "fucking money." They haven't authorized any lord of the rings cockrings yet, though the slogan "one ring to rule them all" would be delightfully appropos.
3. Re:Doesn't the Tolkien estate... by Michael+Woodhams · 2012-11-20 11:20 · Score: 4, Insightful
  
  Don't Warner Brothers have enough money yet without making LotR slot machines?
  
  --
  Quattuor res in hoc mundo sanctae sunt: libri, liberi, libertas et liberalitas.
4. Re:Doesn't the Tolkien estate... by x4000 · 2012-11-20 11:24 · Score: 3, Funny
  
  Sure! It's right next to their regular money.
  
  Oblig: http://xkcd.com/90/
5. Re:Doesn't the Tolkien estate... by niado · 2012-11-20 11:26 · Score: 4, Informative
  
  The problem with copyright is that you either defend it or lose it
  No.
6. Re:Doesn't the Tolkien estate... by Michael+Woodhams · 2012-11-20 11:39 · Score: 3, Informative
  
  Taking a flippant comment seriously:
  Ngaruahoe, which played Mt Doom for the distant shots, is not erupting. Ruapehu, an adjacent larger vulcano which played Mt Doom in some of the close ups, has recently had its warning levels upgraded. It also is not erupting, but is considered more likely than normal to erupt in the near future. Nearby Tongariro (opposite side of Ngaruahoe from Ruapehu) had a brief minor eruption in August.
  
  --
  Quattuor res in hoc mundo sanctae sunt: libri, liberi, libertas et liberalitas.
7. Re:Doesn't the Tolkien estate... by Michael+Woodhams · 2012-11-20 12:32 · Score: 3, Insightful
  
  None of us know whether WB have the rights to make the slot machines, whether for casinos or Toys-R-Us, as we haven't read the contracts.
  We also don't know that money will soothe the estate's hurt feelings. If the parties settle and the slot machines remain, then it was about the money. If they settle and the machines go, or it goes to trial and the estate insists all along that the machines must go, then it isn't (at least entirely) about the money. It is too soon to rush to judgement on this.
  
  --
  Quattuor res in hoc mundo sanctae sunt: libri, liberi, libertas et liberalitas.
8. Re:Doesn't the Tolkien estate... by Anonymous Coward · 2012-11-20 12:43 · Score: 4, Insightful
  
  I'm more repulsed that LOTR was published over 50 years ago (The Hobbit about 80) and that Tolkien died 39 years ago and yet copyright still goes on. I'm not against copyright. I'd be okay with 20 years but it's de facto perpetual now. I think a slot machine is in bad taste, but that we've decided to create royalty in our society is worse. The human ability to share information and knowledge may be our single largest evolutionary advantage over other species and yet we now hinder it. It is in our nature to create. I'm okay with rewarding that creativity but I'm disgusted that we let it create a royal class. At one point in time, some guy does something great and becomes king. His heirs get the kingdom from there on out. We decided that wasn't a great idea so we renamed it, but it's the same system. Personally, I'd like the story a lot better if it didn't create rich worthless heirs that do nothing to benefit society themselves and reap government enforced income.
Sounds like... by xevioso · 2012-11-20 11:20 · Score: 3, Funny

...the Tolkein Estate wants to be Lord of the Blings as well.
How dare they... by BoberFett · 2012-11-20 11:22 · Score: 5, Insightful

How dare they attempt to flagrantly abuse the creative works created by an author 80 years ago, when the great-grandchildren of said author deserve a life of luxury for all of their blood, sweat and tears!
Get some by niado · 2012-11-20 11:23 · Score: 4, Insightful

Though the litigiousness of the Tolkien Estate (via the ancient and gnarled iron grip of J.R.R's son Christopher) usually gives me indigestion, my organs seem unaffected by this case. LOTR-related merchandise is often tacky to a ridiculous level, but it seems WB has gone over the deep end here.
Good by SmarterThanMe · 2012-11-20 11:30 · Score: 5, Interesting

Poker machines are morally disgusting. They're basically a way of imposing a tax on people too stupid or hopeful to know better. Here in Australia, there's people who literally bankrupt themselves pouring money into the bloody things. I'm all for individual responsibility, but those bloody things are designed to addict more than cigarettes or crack cocaine.
What's more, venues that have poker machines deliberately target the poor. I've walked into a couple of poker machine venues, they are literally the embodiment of everything that is wrong with modern day society. Pensioners, disabled people, smoking heavily and desperate for, if nothing else, just a near-win.
Yes they did but .... by kawabago · 2012-11-20 11:34 · Score: 3, Funny

when you put it on your dick and balls vanish!
1. Re:Yes they did but .... by OldSport · 2012-11-20 12:37 · Score: 4, Funny
  
  Goldberry is waiting... for her Tom Bomba-dildo.
There goes my idea by slashmydots · 2012-11-20 12:30 · Score: 4, Funny

Damn, now I had to cancel my plans to make a LOTR craps table with "you shall not bet the pass" written on it :(
On the other hand..... by Grayhand · 2012-11-20 17:15 · Score: 3, Funny

I thought the Hobbit all you can eat buffets were very appropriate.