Can Chuck Norris sue me for this?

thebbxx — Mon, 30 Jan 2006 13:37:50 -0800

I run a t-shirt site, and have received a "cease and desist" letter from Chuck Norris's lawyers. Anyone have experience with something like this? What are my rights? The t-shirt has an artist's rendering of chuck, along with the text "What Would Chuck Norris Do?" I commissioned the artwork based on the delta force 2 box art. They want me to stop selling the shirt, and they want to know how many I've sold. I think I might have a right due to parody, and due to the jokes about him which are everywhere. I'm looking for advice and any relevant experience you might have.

11. There is no chin behind Chuck Norris' beard. There is only another fist.

i love cheese — Wed, 11 Jan 2006 16:49:20 -0800

Biographical-style humor incorporating absurd claims: Does it have a name, and where can I find more? Perusing the Chuck Norris Facts that are all the rage these days, I was reminded of this gem, Jon Lovitz's SNL character Tommy Flanagan, and the lyrics to Jonathan Coulton's song "Kenesaw Mountan Landis" (MP3).

Each of these pieces include absurd biographical information (e.g., "I cook Thirty Minute Brownies in twenty minutes. I am an expert in stucco, a veteran in love, and an outlaw in Peru." and "Chuck Norris has counted to infinity. Twice.") Information that is not just false, but absurdly false.

I've got two questions. Is there a term that is commonly used to describe this class of humor? And more importantly, where can I find more of this? Short stories, Magazines, Web Sites, Books [I'm not sure if this becomes too tedious in longer works], etc...

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Can Chuck Norris sue me for this?

11. There is no chin behind Chuck Norris' beard. There is only another fist.