What a Dick Move

I am an ENORMOUS fan of Philip K Dick’s writings (no small thanks to Richard Linklater) and i’ve always been thankful that his family has been so protective over his legacy.

THIS, however… is troubling to me:
http://gothamist.com/2010/01/06/philip_k_dick_daughter_threatens_la.php

I mean… i DO see her point. Even though the word nexus has been used for other products in the past… this phone runs on “android” and that may indicate some intentional reference to the Nexus 6. But i think we’re entering dangerous territory here… How long will it be until every phrase imaginable is copyrighted?

I hate to think that the heir to the estate of my hero is now joining the ranks of AutoZone (who sued Brittney Spears, claiming ownership of the phrase “in the zone“) … or AOL/Time/Warner (who can sue you if you don’t ask their permission before singing “Happy Birthday to You.”)

I wonder why she’s never considered suing Cisco over their “Nexus 7000″ line of switches.  A switch is a decision-making device… not exactly a true-to-form “android” but then again neither is a smart phone. The name is Nexus and it has a number right after it. Same list of offenses.

Come on Isa… do your homework. You could be suing WAY more people than this. There’s a “Valis” Rock Band… and a “Valis III” video game… why not THEM? Start googling every meme your father ever put on paper and see what comes up.

Or better yet… DON’T contribute to the commoditazation of the english language. That would make me much happier.

Tags: blade runner, entitlement, google phone, lawsuit, Morality, nexus one, philip k dick, science fiction