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junker-town · 5 years

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The Phillie Phanatic could be a free agent. Here’s why

Welcome to the court case of the year.

The fate of the Phillie Phanatic’s future hangs in the balance with a lawsuit that could determine whether the iconic mascot can enter free agency.

The Philadelphia Phillies filed suit last week against Harrison/Erickson, Inc. (H/E) — the company which helped create the Phanatic in 1978 — claiming they planned to terminate a prior agreement which gave the team mascot rights. The Phillies are also arguing that the company is seeking to “make the Phanatic a free agent” unless their rights agreement is renegotiated for “millions of dollars.”

How did this start?

The issue stems from a dispute over who created the Phanatic. The suit alleges that the original concept for the Phanatic came from then-executive Vice President Bill Giles. It’s stated that Giles imagined the Phanatic as “green, fat, furry, big-nosed, and instantly accessible to children,” which is precisely as creepy as it sounds.

This imagining of the mascot occurred in the late 1970s, the Phillies allege, at which point they turned to legendary puppet designer Bonnie Erickson. A former vice president of the Jim Henson Company, Erickson is directly responsible for the design of Miss Piggy, Stadler and Waldorf, as well as dozens of sports mascots, including K.C. Wolf (Kansas City Chiefs), Hugo the Hornet (Charlotte Hornets) and Jaxson de Ville (Jacksonville Jaguars).

The suit alleges that Erickson and husband Wayde Harrison were given more than $200,000 in construction and licensing costs to create the mascot, which gave the Phillies rights to the Phanatic for five years. The agreement was renegotiated in 1984, paying the pair another $215,000. The Phillies allege that this 1984 agreement granted the team perpetual rights to the Phanatic.

What’s happening now?

Erickson and Harrison are attempting to exercise Section 203 of the Copyright Act to regain control of the Phanatic. It states creators have the ability to terminate a rights agreement, even if it has been granted in perpetuity — so long as certain prerequisites are met. The right to terminate an agreement cannot be exercised until 35 years after the agreement, which makes 2019 the first year H/E had the right to try and regain control.

The Phillies say they have been told that unless the team stops using the Phanatic by June 15, 2020, they will be in breach of copyright and taken to court.

What are the Phillies saying?

The team’s argument against H/E is threefold:

The Phillies believe the original design of the Phanatic is theirs because of the design specifications Bill Giles requested.

They contend that the character is based on how performers bring the mascot to life, not the costume itself.

The Phillies claim that H/E fraudulently represented the Phanatic on copyright forms by calling it “an artistic sculpture,” rather than a mascot costume.

The Phillies are seeking to bar H/E from terminating the rights agreement, ban them from suing the team in the future, and issue a permanent injunction barring them from selling the Phanatic to another team.

What happens if the Phillies lose?

Mascot madness. If the court doesn’t find merit in the Phillies’ case it will allow H/E to terminate the agreement and take back possession of the Phanatic design and mascot. The Phillies claim H/E wants to renegotiate the deal, potentially keeping the mascot in Philadelphia, but like any free agency period, we could see some very weird things happen.

Any team in need of a mascot could bid for the Phanatic’s services, even outside of baseball. This happened with an Erickson-designed mascot before when Youppi! left the Montreal Expos when the team dissolved and became the mascot of the Montreal Canadiens.

There are dozens of teams with atrocious mascots and there’s little doubt that the Phanatic is one of the crown jewels of the mascot world. But would he be as endearing after jumping ship to another team? Just imagine ...

The New England Phanatic

Infinitely cooler than some minutemen.

The New York Phanatic

Finally the Knicks manage to sign someone in free agency.

The Montreal Phanatic

Youppi! and the Phanatic is a buddy comedy I can get behind.

The Los Angeles Phanatic

Los Angeles is a market that can handle the Phanatic.

Until then ...

The Phillies are demanding a jury trial to determine the fate of the Phanatic, and it’s going to be the sports trial of the year.

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mredwinsmith · 6 years

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Marvel Details Television And Animation Panels and Signings for SDCC

Marvel Television and Marvel Animation are returning to San Diego Comic-Con with a jam-packed lineup of panels, signings, and fan-first experiences, including Marvel’s Cloak & Dagger, Marvel’s Iron Fist, Legion, The Gifted, Marvel’s Avengers: Black Panther’s Quest and the brand-new project Marvel Rising. Join us for not-to-be-missed panels with exclusive footage and surprise appearances, as well as star-studded autograph signing sessions – all starting Thursday, July 19 through Sunday, July 22.

For more exciting Marvel highlights and news during San Diego Comic Con 2018, tune in to the Marvel livestream at http://marvel.com/SDCC2018 starting Thursday, July 19. Join the conversation using #MarvelSDCC.

FULL SCHEDULE OF MARVEL TELEVISION PANELS & ACTIVATION:

THURSDAY, JULY 19TH

MARVEL ANIMATION PRESENTS: MARVEL RISING

3:15 PM – 4:15 PM in Room 6DE

Marvel Rising brings together the next generation of Marvel Super Heroes for the next generation of Marvel fans. This is your chance to be among the first to see a sneak peek of this group of powered teens and their adventures that are full of heart, action, comedy, and powerful messages for every kind of Marvel fan. Join our Quake Chloe Bennet (Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., Nashville) our Squirrel Girl Milana Vayntrub (This Is Us, Silicon Valley), our Ms. Marvel Kathreen Khavari (Big Little Lies, Marvel’s Avengers), our Patriot Kamil McFadden (K.C. Undercover, Grown Ups 2), Mairghread Scott (Writer, Marvel Rising), Cort Lane (SVP, Animation and Family Entertainment), Marsha Griffin (VP, Animation Current Series and Development), and Sana Amanat (VP, Content and Character Development) as well as additional surprise guests for an action-packed panel that will showcase the first look of the animated shorts, special announcements, and so much more.

MARVEL’S IRON FIST

6:00 PM – 7:00 PM in Ballroom 20

Be among the first to get the exclusive inside scoop on what’s in-store for season two of Marvel’s Iron Fist as Danny Rand and Colleen Wing set off on a new adventure as the protectors of lower NYC. Join Executive Producer and Marvel’s Head of Television, Jeph Loeb, and surprise guests in what is sure to be a high-octane panel you don’t want to miss!

MARVEL’S CLOAK & DAGGER – FAN ACTIVATION (on-site through Sunday)

10:00 AM Petco Park

Freeform is bringing Marvel’s Cloak & Dagger to “The Experience” at Petco Park. Starting July 19th at 10am, fans will have the opportunity to engage with two different interactive activations over the course of four days.

Tying into the “divine pairing” theme from Marvel’s Cloak & Dagger, Freeform will recreate the iconic moment between the two leads Tyrone and Tandy when their powers interact. To recreate this, Freeform is fabricating a physical experience where participants are harnessed to a bungee that will propel them backwards from the force of their powers. A slow-motion recording will capture the moment which will also include an overlay effect that shows both the light and dark energy emitting from the participants. Fans will have the opportunity to share their videos on social media.

Fans can also stop by the ROXXON Corp station to create their own customized ROXXON Corp badge and lanyard. Each badge will include a secret code that is connected to a wide range of prizes from Sony PlayStation Vue and Freeform. After receiving their customized badge, fans will be able to pose for a photo with the ROXXON Corp sign.

FRIDAY, JULY 20TH

MARVEL’S CLOAK & DAGGER

5:45 PM – 6:45 PM in Ballroom 20

San Diego will be getting a little taste of New Orleans! Meet series stars Olivia Holt, Aubrey Joseph, Emma Lahana, Ally Maki and executive producer/showrunner Joe Pokaski of the new hit summer series that redefined the super hero genre, Marvel’s Cloak & Dagger. Don’t miss this action-packed panel featuring a lively Q&A moderated by executive producer and head of Marvel Television, Jeph Loeb, along with a special look at exclusive, never-before-been-seen footage. And don’t forget to tune-in to watch all-new episodes, Thursdays, 8/7c, on Freeform.

SATURDAY, JULY 21ST

THE GIFTED

2:30 PM – 3:15 PM in Ballroom 20

(EXTENDED SEASON 2 SNEAK PEEK)- From 20th Century Fox Television in association with Marvel Television, season 2 of The Gifted picks up after the explosion of the Atlanta Station. The Mutant Underground search for their friends and family who left with The Inner Circle. Having tracked them outside of Washington, D.C., they must contend with new groups with extreme ideologies, both human and mutant alike, to stave off a brewing conflict. Join executive producers Matt Nix and Marvel’s Jeph Loeb along with stars Stephen Moyer, Sean Teale, Jamie Chung, Emma Dumont, Blair Redford, Natalie Alyn Lind and Skyler Samuels for an exclusive first-look at the upcoming second season; returning Tuesdays this Fall on FOX.

SUNDAY, JULY 22ND

MARVEL ANIMATION PRESENTS

1:30 PM – 2:30 PM in Room 6A

Marvel Animation returns for the always action-packed, news-breaking panel where you’ll get eyefuls of never-before-seen information and sneak peeks… plus…as always…some surprise guests that’ll reveal waaay too much! GET THERE! You’ll also have a chance to meet the stars of your favorite Marvel Animation series at signing events at the Marvel booth (#2329) throughout the weekend.

LEGION

2:15 PM – 3:15 PM in Hall H

Legion, is the story of David Haller, a man who believed himself to be schizophrenic only to discover that he may actually be the most powerful mutant the world has ever seen. Along with a team of other extraordinarily gifted people, David learned to accept his true self and set out to defeat The Shadow King, who was on a path to attaining infinite and world-ending power. In season two, a series of mind-bending twists and turns called into question who is the hero, and who is the villain. Legion is based on the Marvel Comics by Chris Claremont and Bill Sienkiewicz. Join Executive Producers John Cameron and Marvel’s Jeph Loeb, along with co-EP, Nathaniel Halpern, plus cast members for a conversation on what to look forward to from Season 3.

MARVEL TELEVISION AUTOGRAPH SIGNING SCHEDULE – Booth #2329:

JOIN CAST MEMBERS AND PRODUCERS OF YOUR FAVORITE MARVEL SERIES AS THEY MEET THE FANS AND SIGN AUTOGRAPHS! ***Please note that signings are ticketed events and passes will be available to win on a first-come, first-served basis beginning at 9:15 AM onThursday, July 19, Friday, July 20 and Saturday, July 21 at the Marvel Booth (#2329).

THURSDAY, JULY 19

Marvel’s Iron Fist – Signing Event

2:30 PM at the Marvel Booth (#2329)

Marvel Rising– Signing Event

5:00 PM at the Marvel Booth (#2329)

SATURDAY, JULY 22

Marvel’s Cloak & Dagger – Signing Event

10:00 AM at the Marvel Booth (#2329)

Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. – Signing Event

12:30 PM at the Marvel Booth (#2329)

The Gifted – Signing Event

3:30 PM at the Marvel Booth (#2329)

SUNDAY, JULY 23

Legion – Signing Event

11:45 AM at the Marvel Booth (#2329)

Marvel Animation – Marvel’s Avengers: Black Panther’s Quest – Signing Event

3:00 PM at the Marvel Booth (#2329)

Stay tuned to www.marvel.com for all the breaking news from Marvel Television at Comic-Con International in San Diego. Follow @Marvel on Twitter and “like” Marvel on Facebook for minute-by-minute updates on all things in the MCU.

Join the conversation using #MarvelSDCC.

from AwesomeToyBlog https://ift.tt/2tJUkz6

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