Did The Six Million Dollar Man producers have to pay to use a trademark name - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Amanda Hugnkiss · 03-06-2018, 09:12 AM

In the episode The Seven Million Dollar Man, the bionic man that Steve Austin met had the name Barney Miller; and I'm wondering if they had to pay the producers of this show for permission to use the name of another fictional character. I did some research and found out the episode aired in 1975, and that's the year this show debuted.
Take care and God bless

FredScuttle · 03-08-2018, 01:36 PM

Actually it aired on Nov 1, 1974. Barney Miller didn't start until Jan 23, 1975.

Amanda Hugnkiss · 03-08-2018, 04:56 PM

Thank you kindly. Both were nice shows. The different is that Barney Miller is more realistic unless you know something I don't. This is the first time someone has resulted to anything I've said an the six million dollar dude. I sure wish I had bionic legs and both arms so I could safely handle rattlesnakes. The super strength would be cool too.
Take care and God bless

Mood Ring · 04-18-2018, 07:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Amanda Hugnkiss

In the episode The Seven Million Dollar Man, the bionic man that Steve Austin met had the name Barney Miller; and I'm wondering if they had to pay the producers of this show for permission to use the name of another fictional character. I did some research and found out the episode aired in 1975, and that's the year this show debuted.
Take care and God bless

Barney (seven million dollar man) Miller was on the SMDM twice. Because Barney Miller became a popular TV show, the writers changed the character name during his second appearance to Barney "Hiller".

Whether there were legal issues with using Miller or not, I don't know.

Dr. Thong · 04-19-2018, 05:30 PM

To make a reference to "Barney Miller" is one thing -- anyone can do that without fear of reprisals.

Now if Barney Miller appeared on SMDM first, then they would be in the right to use that character despite the emergence of the show.

My guess is that the producers changed the name to "Hiller" to avoid confusion with the new show.

Just a guess.

03-06-2018, 09:12 AM	#1
Amanda Hugnkiss Member Forum Regular Join Date: May 02, 2017 Location: Florida Posts: 861	Did The Six Million Dollar Man producers have to pay to use a trademark name In the episode The Seven Million Dollar Man, the bionic man that Steve Austin met had the name Barney Miller; and I'm wondering if they had to pay the producers of this show for permission to use the name of another fictional character. I did some research and found out the episode aired in 1975, and that's the year this show debuted. Take care and God bless

04-19-2018, 05:30 PM	#5
Dr. Thong a/k/a "ACK!" Forum Veteran Join Date: Jul 10, 2001 Location: New Hampshire, USA Posts: 5,546	To make a reference to "Barney Miller" is one thing -- anyone can do that without fear of reprisals. Now if Barney Miller appeared on SMDM first, then they would be in the right to use that character despite the emergence of the show. My guess is that the producers changed the name to "Hiller" to avoid confusion with the new show. Just a guess.
	__________________ "Sunday has been cancelled due to lack of interest. That is all."

03-08-2018, 01:36 PM	#2
FredScuttle Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Oct 31, 2005 Posts: 477	Actually it aired on Nov 1, 1974. Barney Miller didn't start until Jan 23, 1975.

03-08-2018, 04:56 PM	#3
Amanda Hugnkiss Member Forum Regular Join Date: May 02, 2017 Location: Florida Posts: 861	Thank you kindly. Both were nice shows. The different is that Barney Miller is more realistic unless you know something I don't. This is the first time someone has resulted to anything I've said an the six million dollar dude. I sure wish I had bionic legs and both arms so I could safely handle rattlesnakes. The super strength would be cool too. Take care and God bless