Bradbury v. Moore

Moore Film Title Angers Author Bradbury

Ray Bradbury is demanding an apology from filmmaker Michael Moore for lifting the title from his classic science-fiction novel "Fahrenheit 451" without permission and wants the new documentary "Fahrenheit 9/11" to be renamed.

"He didn't ask my permission," Bradbury, 83, told The Associated Press on Friday. "That's not his novel, that's not his title, so he shouldn't have done it."

The 1953 novel, widely considered Bradbury's masterpiece, portrays an ugly futuristic society in which firemen burn homes and libraries in order to destroy the books inside and keep people from thinking independently.

"Fahrenheit 451" takes its title from the temperature at which books burn. Moore has called "Fahrenheit 9/11" the "temperature at which freedom burns."

[...]

Bradbury, who hadn't seen the movie, said he called Moore's company six months ago to protest and was promised Moore would call back.

He finally got that call last Saturday, Bradbury said, adding Moore told him he was "embarrassed."

"He suddenly realized he's let too much time go by," the author said by phone from his home in Los Angeles' Cheviot Hills section.

Joanne Doroshow, a spokeswoman for "Fahrenheit 9/11," said the film's makers have "the utmost respect for Ray Bradbury."

"Mr. Bradbury's work has been an inspiration to all of us involved in this film, but when you watch this film you will see the fact that the title reflects the facts that the movie explores, the very real life events before, around and after 9-11," she said.

Bradbury, who is a registered political independent, said he would rather avoid litigation and is "hoping to settle this as two gentlemen, if he'll shake hands with me and give me back my book and title."

I have a great deal of respect for Ray Bradbury, and very little for Moore (to put it mildly), however, I don't think Bradbury has a legal or artistic leg to stand on here.

Really, in terms of trademark protection, there is no substantial chance that someone would confuse the Moore movie for the Bradbury novel, and further it seems to me to be a legitimate artistic appropriation of a phrase and concept.

And really, I don't like Mr. Bradbury's book and title have been taken away. I do, however, understand why he might be irked.

Hat tip: Max Jacobs at Common Sense and Wonder.

UPDATE: James Joyner has the same position (although he employs the word "loathesome" in his post--I won't spoil the surprise and same at whom the word is directed).

Posted by Steven Taylor at June 21, 2024 10:15 AM | TrackBack