Owen Hart's widow sues WWE

[thecoolone]

McMahon named in WWE lawsuit
from CNN Political Ticker
http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com...id=oB_QhgVbDkh

(CNN) – Republican Senate candidate Linda McMahon, the former Worldwide Wrestling Entertainment CEO, is facing a lawsuit over her former company's alleged promotional use of a wrestler who died more than a decade ago.
In a lawsuit reportedly filed in the U.S. District Court in Hartford, Connecticut, the widow of deceased WWE wrestler Owen Hart says the company is continuing to use Hart's image in promotional materials even though it agreed not to do so after Hart's 1999 death.

[Tay the Cat]

WUT.

I fail how to see this is even going through.

[Tobias]

Yeah, even if it was agreed not to do so, wouldn't Bret Hart have the authority to okay the use of his dad's image?

[Tapout]

Yeah, even if it was agreed not to do so, wouldn't Bret Hart have the authority to okay the use of his dad's image?

Owen is Bret's brother. Stu is both of their father.

[Tobias]

Owen is Bret's brother. Stu is both of their father.

My bad, I'm still learning the ropes (pun intended) of the WWE characters. But still, wouldn't Bret have to give his okay seeing as to how he's back in the WWE fold?

[The Penguin]

But still, wouldn't Bret have to give his okay seeing as to how he's back in the WWE fold?

WWE owns the footage they have of Owen Hart and probably the trademarks on his various nicknames. If there is no agreement not to use footage/images of him, they can use it however they like. As far as new things like action figures and video game appearances, Owen's estate would have to approve that and that is controlled by his widow, Martha, not his brother.

Whether there is any real basis for this, I would imagine this may have its roots in the recent Hart and Soul: The Hart Family Anthology DVD. I haven't seen it, but it features Owen on the cover and obviously on the DVD. Plus, Bret's return and the rise of The Hart Dynasty has renewed interest in all members of the family.

[FTPC]

WWE owns the footage they have of Owen Hart and probably the trademarks on his various nicknames. If there is no agreement not to use footage/images of him, they can use it however they like. As far as new things like action figures and video game appearances, Owen's estate would have to approve that and that is controlled by his widow, Martha, not his brother.

Whether there is any real basis for this, I would imagine this may have its roots in the recent Hart and Soul: The Hart Family Anthology DVD. I haven't seen it, but it features Owen on the cover and obviously on the DVD. Plus, Bret's return and the rise of The Hart Dynasty has renewed interest in all members of the family.

So marath is sueing the wwe or wwf because of owen's likeness that is nuts.

[Wonderwall]

So marath is sueing the wwe or wwf because of owen's likeness that is nuts.

I think it's more that she believes they are using his likeness for profit. WWE has been pretty good about not using Owen since the lawsuit a decade ago but I remember seeing the Heart and Soul DVD and seeing him on the cover and thinking "I wonder if it's ok for them to do that?"

[KJ Styles]

I think this is really selfish and lame on Martha Hart's part. Granted, Owen's death was really tragic and sad BUT the fans loved and admired him and his work, so never showing footage of him ever again would be stupid.

Not to mention that there was NEVER an agreement in the first place never to show footage of Owen. He was a great wrestler, and people remember him as such. She recieved a reported 8 figure lump sum from the WWE, and Owen gets mad love from the WWE universe, so other than that, they owe her nothing. She's just being unreasonable and selfish. The removal of Owen Hart footage from WWE home video and such isn't going to bring Owen back, so she needs to just let it go and rejoice in the fact that her husband was one of the most respected wrestlers of all time by both fans and fellow competitors. If Bret and the rest of the Hart Family is able to do that, then I don't see why she can't.

[Spaceman]

WWE is not defaming Owen's memory; he was a world-class performer who was beloved by millions and he deserves to be remembered that way.

Martha Hart is the one who is disgracing Owen for turning her grief into a despicable grab for money. People like her disgust me.

[Tay the Cat]

Martha Hart is the one who is disgracing Owen for turning her grief into a despicable grab for money. People like her disgust me.

Agreed; I just didn't want to be the one to say it first.

[Good Ol' Batmanuel!]

As much as I hate to admit it too, this really does come off as her getting desperate for income. As far as I've seen, WWE has been nothing but classy in everything they've done involving Owen since his death, celebrating the man and his career.

I mean, what was this "agreement," anyway? Were they to treat him as if he never existed? No showing his face at any time, anywhere because it would be construed as a promotional, money-making scheme? There's only one guy I can think of that has pretty much been removed from the WWE history books and it sure isn't Owen...

[Tay the Cat]

I mean, what was this "agreement," anyway? Were they to treat him as if he never existed? No showing his face at any time, anywhere because it would be construed as a promotional, money-making scheme? There's only one guy I can think of that has pretty much been removed from the WWE history books and it sure isn't Owen...

They're not allowed to put any career retrospective DVD about him out, can't put him in their hall of fame, etc.

They can still show his matches evidentally though; he's not edited out of anything shown on WWE Classics On Demand.

Martha Hart is basically not on speaking terms with the rest of the Hart family or WWE.

[Good Ol' Batmanuel!]

They can still show his matches evidentally though; he's not edited out of anything shown on WWE Classics On Demand.

Yeah, I just watched a match on "WWE Classics" between he and Jeff Hardy on Saturday night.

It's a shame Martha is being like this. I can understand her in a way, having seen the way they've treated some fallen/deceased wrestlers (Ultimate Warrior is bashed mercilessly on their DVD, Eddie Guerrero's legacy also contains some post-death garbage now, etc...), but in another way, you just know a DVD set featuring Owen would be nice and classy. Looks like that will never, eeeeeeeever happen.

[FTPC]

Owen Hart should go in to the hall of frame.. Just like each superstarts of diva that has died even benoit

[The Penguin]

Owen Hart should go in to the hall of frame.. Just like each superstarts of diva that has died even benoit

Death does not make you a hall of famer. An argument can easily be made for Owen Hart, but not because he's dead or how he died.

WWE seems to invite people to be inducted and we know Martha would not agree to be a part of that. I honestly wonder if children Oje & Athena would even be a part of it. I don't want to just paint Martha as a bitter, angry woman, and it's not any of my business, but I wonder what she's told them/taught them about their father's passing.

[hobbyfan]

My take:

Martha Hart got a settlement from WWE-F about 10 years or so ago. The Hart & Soul DVD set came out just a few weeks ago, and the Hart Dynasty are now the tag team champs. It's hard to believe that after all this time, she cannot let go, and if she's hard up for cash, she somehow has it in her head that the only way she'll feel better is if she hits WWE up again. This will be settled out of court.

Some people see the timing and the fact that Vince AND Linda are named in the suit, and figure there's political motivation involved. I don't see how. I believe Martha still lives in Canada? How much impact could she have on a political campaign in Connecticut?

[The Penguin]

Owen's older brother Bret (you know, the Hit Man) posted this on his Facebook page:

Update July 1, 2010

I feel that it's ridiculous for anyone to think they are serving the best interests of Owen's memory or his children to pretend he wasn't a wrestler. Not only was he a wrestler, he was a great one and proud of it. I personally believe Martha Hart has done nothing to keep his memory alive and sadly, he fades from view a little more every year. I do suspect this lawsuit is more about publicity, ego, and small-mindedness than it is about pro-wrestling and all of those that are in it.

I know Owen was always proud of his body of work. His fans have never forgotten him and most of today's WWE wrestlers and hundreds of employees have never forgotten him. They speak endlessly of loving memories that speak volumes on what kind of person he was. I saw Owen on TV a few weeks ago against a young Matt Hardy and it put me in such a good mood all day long. Why would anyone want to prevent that? Martha needs to accept the sad truth that he's gone, but we all deserve to be able to salute and honor him for being the great man and the great wrestler that he was. I stopped caring a long time ago about what Martha thinks of me. We don't speak and I haven't seen Owen's children in 10 years. For what reasons, I couldn't begin to tell you. I personally found great inner peace by opening up to forgiveness and instead supported and encouraged current Hart family members now fulfilling their dreams in the complicated-but-astounding world known as the WWE Universe. She completely ignores the fact that Nattie Neidhart, TJ Wilson (Tyson Kidd), and Harry Smith all made a pact when their 12 year old cousin died that they would someday carry on the dream of wrestling in the WWE, this was years before Owen's death and I don't see any reason they should forsake all their dreams. I can't speak more highly of the dedicated, hard working WWE superstars of today.

Having worked with all levels of talent since January, I can honestly say that you won't find a more wholesome bunch of athletes anywhere in any profession. Owen would be proud to be part of what they all are. Martha can say or think whatever the hell she wants but the Hart family as a whole found a way to forgive and move on for the sake of the next generation's well-being. Just because Owen died doesn't mean the Hart legacy from Stu down to his wrestling sons and grandchildren has to die too. The best thing I can do for Owen's kids is take them backstage and introduce them to all the people who love and remember their dad. Owen is loved and missed everyday. Why Martha would insist they never know these people is sad and pathetic.

I believe Owen would turn in his grave watching Martha erase every single thing he ever did, all for spite. Martha Hart needs to celebrate Owen's memory as much as possible, not block it away forever. How stupid and selfish is that? In her own book, she wrote how even though she was angry at Vince, she didn't hate him and that she felt he was truly sorry about what happened. She had written him a letter in order for her to move on and be at peace. Maybe she should practice what she preached.

[Ioz]

I could see how the WWE might owe some royalty payments if she hasn't received any since I think most former wrestlers do when they are used in DVDs, merchandise, and the like. However, I don't agree with the extremes she seems to be going at. I pretty much agree with everything the Hitman said, but I wish he hadn't plugged his merchandise at the end...