Homeless Sues South Park Over Trademark Infringement

 LOS ANGELES (Disassociated Press) April 24, 2007 – Ted Minton, the internationally famous and homeless entrepreneur, has filed a multi-million dollar law suit against the Comedy Central cash cow South Park, claiming numerous trademark infringements of Minton’s trademarked “spare some change” committed in last week’s all new episode.

         “We counted a total of 894 times the phrase ‘spare some change’ was used in the episode,” stated Minton’s attorney Seth Gumbridge.  Minton trademarked the common phrase in the spring of 2004 (see Homeless Following Trump's Lead, The Disassociated Press, March 28, 2004),  and the phrase was uttered numerous times by the animated characters in South Park’s recent episode, in which homelessness was selected as the subject of satire.

         Minton has become something of a cult icon since capitalizing on his trademark, along with his homeless partner Bob Salmons.  The two of them also established a thriving business in paraphernalia (see Enterprising Homeless Seize Opportunity on Senatorial Shortfall, The Disassociated Press, June 29, 2006),  and have been the subject of special media celebrations (see Homeless 'Apprentices' Meet Mentor Trump, The Disassociated Press, January 22, 2007).  Minton, who still technically has no official residence, nevertheless has a Goldman Sachs account reported to be worth upwards of $60 million.

         Gumbridge expressed optimism that a settlement could be reached out of court.  “Sumner Redstone (Chairman of Viacom, Inc., parent company of Comedy Central and South Park) is one of the world’s wealthiest people, and a very rational guy.  I’m sure we can persuade Mr. Redstone to spare some change.”

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