8 votes

How the world’s worst movie could change copyright

2 comments

  1. [2]
    nacho
    Link
    Anyone know what developments have taken place in the last three years? Fascinating story. I'm guessing nothing really came of it, but a quick search doesn't lead anywhere.

    Anyone know what developments have taken place in the last three years?

    Fascinating story. I'm guessing nothing really came of it, but a quick search doesn't lead anywhere.

    2 votes
    1. cfabbro
      (edited )
      Link Parent
      Did some digging and it looks like Ben Solovey tried a gofundme campaign to raise money to mount a formal opposition against the trademark application by Joe Warren, but it failed to meet its goal...

      Did some digging and it looks like Ben Solovey tried a gofundme campaign to raise money to mount a formal opposition against the trademark application by Joe Warren, but it failed to meet its goal by April 11 2017 when the trademark office published for opposition. There hasn't been an update on the gofundme in 19 months.

      I went through their facebook page and there is absolutely no news of what happened. Before Apr 11, lots of #KeepManosFree posts, but afterwards the only posts made there are on other related projects, e.g. the child actress involved in the movie published a book on her experiences making the film and is apparently prepping to start a web-series as well.

      And looking at the US Patent and Trademark Office site, the "Manos: The Hands of Fate" trademark appears to have been approved, but oddly enough the HD restoration is still being sold by Mr. Solovey as is the remastered soundtrack, so it's possible that he and Mr. Warren reached an agreement regarding the continued sale of both.

      Edit:
      Actually @nacho, looking into the trademark application further it appears the time to oppose was extended, the statement of use was later revised, and all the actions so far have been non-final, so it likely hasn't been granted yet. Perhaps Mr. Solovey's efforts are actually still ongoing even though he has been quiet on social media about it.

      Trademark Events

      Event DateEvent Description
      2016-10-14NEW APPLICATION ENTERED IN TRAM
      2016-10-15NEW APPLICATION OFFICE SUPPLIED DATA ENTERED IN TRAM
      2017-01-20ASSIGNED TO EXAMINER
      2017-01-24APPROVED FOR PUB - PRINCIPAL REGISTER
      2017-03-06LETTER OF PROTEST ACCEPTED
      2017-03-06LETTER OF PROTEST EVIDENCE REVIEWED-NO FURTHER ACTION TAKEN
      2017-03-22NOTIFICATION OF NOTICE OF PUBLICATION E-MAILED
      2017-04-11PUBLISHED FOR OPPOSITION
      2017-04-11OFFICIAL GAZETTE PUBLICATION CONFIRMATION E-MAILED
      2017-05-08EXTENSION OF TIME TO OPPOSE RECEIVED
      2017-08-20EXTENSION OF TIME TO OPPOSE PROCESS - TERMINATED
      2017-10-03NOA E-MAILED - SOU REQUIRED FROM APPLICANT
      2018-04-03TEAS STATEMENT OF USE RECEIVED
      2018-04-19CASE ASSIGNED TO INTENT TO USE PARALEGAL
      2018-04-03USE AMENDMENT FILED
      2018-04-23STATEMENT OF USE PROCESSING COMPLETE
      2018-05-10SU - NON-FINAL ACTION - WRITTEN
      2018-05-10NON-FINAL ACTION E-MAILED
      2018-05-10NOTIFICATION OF NON-FINAL ACTION E-MAILED
      3 votes