UFC Takes Legal Action Against Pro Elite and Showtime

The scenes behind the MMA world continue to generate headline news as Zuffa has filed a lawsuit against Pro Elite and Showtime for various reasons, including usage of footage and concern that the public could be confused into believing that this is a UFC show rather than EliteXC.

Immediately one has to wonder as to the real reasons behind the lawsuit, and weather it is sincerely motivated by these concerns noted above. Could this be another signal from Zuffa towards the competition, telling them to “get ready to throw down?” After all Zuffa has filed law suits against many competitors in the past already. As this sport is finally being sunk into and accepted by the common psyche many want to cash in on it. Is this how the UFC tells others, “you are raining on our parade and we will set any obstacle possible before you so you can’t compete?”

The accusations are that Pro Elite and Showtime utilized footage from UFC: Ultimate Japan, UFC: Ultimate Brazil, and another handful of shows from 1997-2003 without consent, for broadcast. According to the plaintiffs, usage of the footage “created a likelihood of confusion among the public as to the original source of same and contributed to the dilution of the distinctive quality of Zuffa's and the UFC's work in the marketplace.”

Will audiences be “fooled” into thinking they are watching the UFC? And what if they like it? Another show with an octagon and Cage Rage now coming over the Atlantic to U.S. Television, this is indeed an undesirable phenomenon to a brand name that has been going at it alone for years, without any real visible competition except from their now new acquisition, PRIDE.

Source: http://www.mat-magazine.com