Nancy Cartwright, the voice for Bart Simpson, may be in hot water with Twentieth Century Fox. Cartwright, a committed Scientologist, used the Simpson voice (which is copyrighted) to leave a widely played voice message for Scientologists. The robocall tape is below.
“Simpsons” executive producer Al Jean has publicly objected to Cartwright’s use of the voice for the controversial group: “This is not authorized by us. ‘The Simpsons’ does not, and never has, endorsed any religion, philosophy or system of beliefs any more profound than Butterfinger bars.”
On the tape, Cartwright speaks as Bart and says “Hey what’s happening man, this is Bart Simpson. Ha ha ha! Just kidding this is Nancy Cartwright.” Using Scientology speak, she proclaims “I’m now auditing on New OT VII” and asks them to attend a Los Angeles event.
I can only imagine the disappointment when people find Cartwright and not a guy in a Bart Simpson suit. As Lionel Hutz has said “This is the greatest case of false advertising I’ve seen since I sued the movie The Never Ending Story.”
The problem is that neither Bart nor Cartwright listen to Homer when he speaks so eloquently about the law:
How could you?! Haven’t you learned anything from that guy who gives those sermons at church? Captain Whatshisname? We live in a society of laws! Why do you think I took you to all those Police Academy movies? For fun? Well, I didn’t hear anybody laughing, did you? Except at that guy who made sound effects. Makes sound effects and laughs. Where was I? Oh yeah! Stay out of my booze.
Shame, Cartwright, shame.
For the tape, click here
For the story, here.
Jill,
You know I love it when you talk all Cult-y and Mavrick-y at the same time.
Ryan,
You are just trying to avoid “Clear”. You need to stimulate this economy by following Giuliani’s message of helping the rich. Get spending!
Scientology is why I avoid Clearwater, FL.
Place is like Sicily
Wayne: Of course you can copyright a voice. It’s an artistic expression which has been created to express an idea, namely that of a ten year old boy. That makes it just as copyrightable as the image of Bart Simpson or the script that the character says.
You can also trademark a voice, and restrict your performers by contract from reproducing the voice outside of approved venues. I’m sure that Fox have done both of these.
Wait a minute… are you sure can copyright a voice?
I like the headline usage of cowpyright. Is this anything like the cow pie right in the old west that allowed setters to claim property rights in cattle dung used for fuel?
Can one assert a legal cowpyright in utter bullsh*t?
We would all be in a lot of deep doo doo if that were the case.
Scientology has repeatedly proven that the only laws it cares about are the ones that it uses to protect itself and punish its opponents. This kind of behavior (while not empirically harmful) shows the malignant disregard this group has for anyone or anything they cannot use to further their own aims.
Next time on “When Intellectual Property and Cults Collide!”.