'Wannabe' trademark owner didn't want term used for Ashlee Simpson film - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Superstar · 03-20-2005, 05:44 PM

TORONTO (CP) - A Toronto woman who owns the trademark for the word "wannabe" says she's the reason the title of an upcoming film starring singer Ashlee Simpson has been changed.

Robin Devine said she trademarked "wannabe" way back in 1985 after hearing her husband say it. "I had never heard anything like that in my life before," she said.

When she heard Simpson was set to star in a movie to be called Wannabe, she called Lion's Gate Films in Los Angeles.

The working title of the film has subsequently been changed to Undiscovered, the title of one of Simpson's songs.

A spokesman for Lion's Gate said Wednesday that he couldn't comment on why the name of the film has been changed, but confirmed Devine had been in touch with the company.

Simpson has said the switch was made because the president of Lion's Gate loved her song.

But Devine said that's not exactly the case.

"The reason they changed the name of the movie was because we couldn't enter into an agreement," she said.

She says that people can use wannabe when they're speaking but can't use it to sell merchandise unless they licence it from her.

Devine says she's used the licence to develop a line of stuffed toys that she sells on request.

http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=stor...film_wannabe_1

SBTB Geek · 03-21-2005, 12:46 AM

"Undiscovered" sounds better anyways, and makes the movie seem watchable.

Superstar · 03-21-2005, 04:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SBTB Geek

"Undiscovered" sounds better anyways, and makes the movie seem watchable.

I agree, Wannabe sounds a little dull.

MissZero · 03-21-2005, 06:21 PM

what a waste of budget

TJL · 03-21-2005, 06:25 PM

The woman owns a word?

Superstar · 03-22-2005, 04:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TJL

The woman owns a word?

apparently

TJL · 03-22-2005, 08:57 AM

The Spice Girls had that hit song "Wannabe" a few years back - did that lady get any money from that?

Superstar · 03-22-2005, 03:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TJL

The Spice Girls had that hit song "Wannabe" a few years back - did that lady get any money from that?

A few people have said this to me actually. Maybe it was because its only a song, a movie can get alot more recognition and can make alot more money, and maybe this woman didn't want it making money under the name Wannabe. I don't really know though

Brian Damage · 03-23-2005, 12:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TJL

The woman owns a word?

exactly my thoughts

Zebra 3 · 03-23-2005, 02:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TJL

The woman owns a word?

Though it's uncommon it can be done eg. "Popeye" and "Exxon." But this apparent trademark can probably be challenged.

Brian Damage · 03-24-2005, 12:04 AM

How about "useless"?

MissZero · 03-24-2005, 03:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brian Damage

How about "useless"?

even better

03-20-2005, 05:44 PM	#1
Superstar Member Forum Icon Join Date: Dec 08, 2003 Posts: 63,316	'Wannabe' trademark owner didn't want term used for Ashlee Simpson film TORONTO (CP) - A Toronto woman who owns the trademark for the word "wannabe" says she's the reason the title of an upcoming film starring singer Ashlee Simpson has been changed. Robin Devine said she trademarked "wannabe" way back in 1985 after hearing her husband say it. "I had never heard anything like that in my life before," she said. When she heard Simpson was set to star in a movie to be called Wannabe, she called Lion's Gate Films in Los Angeles. The working title of the film has subsequently been changed to Undiscovered, the title of one of Simpson's songs. A spokesman for Lion's Gate said Wednesday that he couldn't comment on why the name of the film has been changed, but confirmed Devine had been in touch with the company. Simpson has said the switch was made because the president of Lion's Gate loved her song. But Devine said that's not exactly the case. "The reason they changed the name of the movie was because we couldn't enter into an agreement," she said. She says that people can use wannabe when they're speaking but can't use it to sell merchandise unless they licence it from her. Devine says she's used the licence to develop a line of stuffed toys that she sells on request. http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=stor...film_wannabe_1

03-21-2005, 06:21 PM	#4
MissZero serve it up baby Senior Member Join Date: Sep 12, 2004 Location: Pa (Blah) Posts: 1,901	what a waste of budget
	__________________ ~MissZero~

03-21-2005, 06:25 PM	#5
TJL Suburbanite Extrordinaire Forum Star Join Date: Dec 29, 2001 Location: New Jersey - the cradle of civilization Posts: 16,588	The woman owns a word?
	__________________ "I think I'll stroll up to the front to see how the shooting's going..." - Capt. Benjamin Franklin "Hawkeye" Pierce Read my blogs! http://centralparkamisguide.com/ http://dvdcriticscorner.com Visit me on Facebook!http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=641138880 Hey, I do the tweet thing too! http://twitter.com/TomLevier My shop of handmade items! http://www.etsy.com/shop/ColdGarageCreations

03-21-2005, 12:46 AM	#2
SBTB Geek Smooth Moderator Forum Veteran Join Date: Feb 21, 2002 Location: Southern California Posts: 6,004	"Undiscovered" sounds better anyways, and makes the movie seem watchable.

03-22-2005, 08:57 AM	#7
TJL Suburbanite Extrordinaire Forum Star Join Date: Dec 29, 2001 Location: New Jersey - the cradle of civilization Posts: 16,588	The Spice Girls had that hit song "Wannabe" a few years back - did that lady get any money from that?

03-24-2005, 12:04 AM	#11
Brian Damage I'm Rich Bitch Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 03, 2002 Location: What Ain't No Country I Ever Heard Of...They Speak English in What? Posts: 63,107	How about "useless"?