The Hobbit Pub

[RichieParf]

Hi guys,

Some of you may have come across this already. My favourite local pub, named The Hobbit, is being told to change its name by the company with the naming rights to The Hobbit book and films. The pub is a local favourite and serves cocktails named after lord of the rings characters, including Gandalf and Legolas. This is a rather shameless plug for the probably futile campaign to save it from the Hollywood lawyers. The company isn't going to lose any book or film revenue, so all they're doing is attacking a fantastic small business.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-17360846

The twitter feed for the campaign is @savethehobbit hash tag #savethehobbit

There's also a fb page. They have had stated support from Hobbit actor Steven Fry.

Edited March 14, 2012 by RichieParf

[kaosmark2]

For fucks sake....

I don't actually like themed pubs myself, but this is just ridiculous. Copyright gone mad. It's not even like Holywood actually created any of this. What is the corporate obsession with things like this?

[Kyelo]

Surely the rights don't cover pubs?! Hollywood can f*ck off...

[Rufus Gwertigan]

It would be a little different if it was a brothel called "The Hobbit Hole".

[RichieParf]

For fucks sake....

I don't actually like themed pubs myself, but this is just ridiculous. Copyright gone mad. It's not even like Holywood actually created any of this. What is the corporate obsession with things like this?

[kaosmark2]

I don't know, it's ridiculous. I would just look at it as free advertising. Not to mention that the pub has been there since the early 90s, long before the LOTR films were even conceived.

[guypjfreak]

its the world gone mad i hope they are allowed to stay as they are... to Hollywood

[grumpyhack]

If the same company makes a religious epic would they then demand they've got the rights and force churches to change their names?

[Jaybles]

Seen this all over my facebook this morning. Plenty of my friends go to the hobbit. Its a great pub (Shame its in Southampton)

This legal action is ridiculous though. They have nothing to gain from making this pub change its name

[5co77ie]

A family member knew one of Tolkien's estate's executors quite well - she revealed that most of the milleaux from the books had been sold outright to cinema a long time ago, a fact which never sat easily with the family. The rights have been hotly contested by them ever since - particularly the word 'Hobbit' which was the subject of a computer game wrangle and a RPG game fight too.

The estate fought vociferously to not have people trade on the name, in the 60s and 70s around the time of Tolkien's death, and fought on and off ever since to not have it (ironically) become too commercial. I think anyone trading on the name should re-think, unless they have a valid historic connection, else it just smacks of commercialism, (the pub's name is only 20 years old) and not even in Dorset, and Tolkien did invent the name.

However much it's become a popular word, I don't think the pub should use it if it's against the wishes of the estate (foremost), and Christopher has always fought against the commercialisation of the films and the use of his father's work for commercial gain. I for one am on his side, the books are depreciated by both Hollywood and the use of the names and creatures created being used elsewhere - and that includes you Gary Gygax! You plagiarising American orc!

Edited March 15, 2012 by 5co77ie

[RichieParf]

However much it's become a popular word, I don't think the pub should use it if it's against the wishes of the estate (foremost), and Christopher has always fought against the commercialisation of the films and the use of his father's work for commercial gain. I for one am on his side, the books are depreciated by both Hollywood and the use of the names and creatures created being used elsewhere - and that includes you Gary Gygax! You plagiarising American orc!

[windy_miller]

Its more than the use of the name "Hobbit". The pub uses copyrighted images from the films in its signage and leaflets.

[Jaybles]

Its more than the use of the name "Hobbit". The pub uses copyrighted images from the films in its signage and leaflets.

[fred quimby]

Great business for the pub though

Surely don't they just have to put a small space between the 2 b's and jobs a goodun or can you be done for suggestion.

[fred quimby]

However much it's become a popular word, I don't think the pub should use it if it's against the wishes of the estate (foremost), and Christopher has always fought against the commercialisation of the films

[RichieParf]

Its more than the use of the name "Hobbit". The pub uses copyrighted images from the films in its signage and leaflets.

[RichieParf]

I love the 'unmentioned minor details' that get conveniently left out of some debates....

Edited March 15, 2012 by RichieParf

[Jaybles]

To actually provide the details, it used a image of Elijah Wood on it's membership cards and displays film posters the purchased in some areas of the pub. There are also painted images of orcs in the beer garden. Would you consider that plagiarism?

[Jaybles]

I'd have thought if they (the pub) steared clear of any possible copyright infringements, they'd be in the clear

but I've never read the books or seen the films or been to the pub....

a slight aside..I'm amused at Stephen Fry being ashamed of the 'business' he's in....

[Rufus Gwertigan]

Been reading around this with interest over the afternoon. A cafe in Birmingham called the Hungry Hobbit has also been threatened.

The name Hobbit is "owned" by the estate of Tolkien but it is disputed he made the name. It appears that it was in a 19th Century text based on a 16th Century text.

[RichieParf]

From what we hear the pub is saved - not official till its signed off but it looks promising

[Yoghurt on a Stick]

The Hungry Hobbit cafe at Sarehole Mill in Birmingham has also been approached by the people with the named rights and been told to change it's name. Sarehole Mill was one of the areas Tolkein hung around in as a child and was, apparently, a major influence on his books. Seems a shame that a cafe there has to change it's name. I mean - it's only a greasy spoon.

[MrZigster]

...Sarehole Mill...