Faux News is suing Al Franken because he titled his book, Lies, and the Lying Liars Who Tell Them: A Fair and Balanced Look at the Right using the words “fair and balanced” which Faux News holds a copyright on. The issue is ridiculous. I really need to wear my new “Faux News” shirt more often… it has the phrase “fair and balanced” on it as well.
Here’s the thing… if someone else were calling Fox News “fair and balanced” I could see adopting that as a tagline. But calling yourself “fair and balanced” (and trademarking the phrase on top of it!!!) implies that you’re not. Just like when someone points out, “I’m spontaneous and funny” you can bet they’re anything but. Franken should countersue them for false advertising and challenge them to prove that they’re fair and balanced… and then illustrate how the proportion of conservative vs. liberal commentators on their network shows they aren’t.