Ferrigno Files Suit Over Brother's Store

**powerman2000** · 03-10-2006, 04:21 AM

Wow, this will not help Lou with his already faltering image amongst BB fans.

NEWARK, N.J. (AP) - In his former incarnation, Lou Ferrigno probably would have ripped his shirt off and smashed his brother to bits.

But now the former champion bodybuilder who starred as TV's "Incredible Hulk" is using the federal court system to settle a dispute with his brother over trademark rights to a fitness equipment store in Warren County.

Ferrigno is suing his brother, Andrew, and Andrew's wife, Janie, who live in Bethlehem, Pa., and their business, Ferrigno Fitness of Greenwich Township, claiming they are unlawfully trading on the name and image of the former action star.

"This is bullying," said Scott Wilhelm, lawyer for the defendants. "Andrew and his wife have been running their business for over 20 years, and now, for the first time ever, Lou wants to shut them down.

"Andrew says nothing has happened between them to make his brother spiteful or vengeful," Wilhelm said. "I don't know what level of income Lou has these days, but Andrew is confident that it still far exceeds his."

The lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court in Trenton, claims the store has a green awning, portions of the interior are green, and one green wall is covered with photos of Lou Ferrigno in bodybuilding poses, as well as in his trademark green makeup for his role as the Hulk.

The lawsuit asserts that the "defendants deliberately chose a trade name incorporating the Ferrigno name in an effort to profit from the reputation and renown of Lou Ferrigno."

"On numerous occasions, Lou Ferrigno and members of his family have been contacted or approached by strangers or acquaintances who believe that Ferrigno Fitness is 'Lou's store,'" the complaint read.

Lou Ferrigno, who lives in Santa Monica, Cal., says in court papers that he has no interest or involvement in the New Jersey store. His lawyer did not immediately return a call seeking comment Thursday.

The lawsuit also accuses the New Jersey business of cybersquatting by registering the Internet domain name . Lou Ferrigno says he has been using that corporate name for his own business ventures.http://www.ferrignofitness.com

Wilhelm said Andrew Ferrigno and his late father, Matthew, began selling fitness equipment in Brooklyn, N.Y. in 1980. Two years later, the father bought a 5,000 square-foot retail store on Route 57 in Greenwich and moved the business there.

The father died in 2003 after a two-year battle with stomach cancer - a period in which Lou Ferrigno offered no help with the business, the lawyer said.

Wilhelm said his clients intend to fight the lawsuit, whose claims he said are "without merit."

stonecoldtruth · 03-10-2006, 04:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by powerman2000

Wow, this will not help Lou with his already faltering image amongst BB fans. "

Mind you I've never met the man, but EVERY impression I get from people who have makes it seem like he is a jackass. This article just reaffirms that.

J

beer20 · 03-10-2006, 05:03 AM

thats sad...
doesnt he still charge for pictures too?

stonecoldtruth · 03-10-2006, 05:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by beer20

thats sad...
doesnt he still charge for pictures too?

$20 at the Arnold, for a photo.. he better be painting his ass green for me to give him $20...

**Trick D** · 03-10-2006, 05:48 AM

I have heard nothing but horrible things about Lou, everything from making little kids pay for pictures, to be a total ass clown. I understand a man has to make a living, but you can do it in a sensible manner.

MyTMouse · 03-10-2006, 12:08 PM

he also charges little kids for autographs. for charity events, that stuff is fine. but if an 8 year old comes up to a sports star for an autograph, and says "i'm your biggest fan", the athletes response should be something other than "15 bucks kid".

Lift · 03-10-2006, 12:09 PM

He's starting to sounds like a moose to me

**Trick D** · 03-10-2006, 03:02 PM

Last time I heard it was 20 bucks...

MyTMouse · 03-10-2006, 03:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lift

He's starting to sounds like a moose to me

...moose? (not familiar with the terminology...i dont think)

Lift · 03-10-2006, 03:45 PM

Oh its just something my friends say..its derogotary (sp?) but has no determinate definition

bdybldr16 · 03-10-2006, 07:17 PM

i heard lou was a jackass as well. he just isnt nice

Apowerz6 · 03-10-2006, 09:30 PM

What a effin tool, 20 bux a t the Arnold while Ronnie was only charging 10 what a efin insult. I am glad I did not waste anytime on that Assclown. I ahve many other words for him but I would want you guys to have a good impression of me. Truthfully some of the guys attitudes were shitty at the Arnold... Without the fans where would they be?

Ihateeveryone · 03-14-2006, 09:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Apowerz6

What a effin tool, 20 bux a t the Arnold while Ronnie was only charging 10 what a efin insult. I am glad I did not waste anytime on that Assclown. I ahve many other words for him but I would want you guys to have a good impression of me. Truthfully some of the guys attitudes were shitty at the Arnold... Without the fans where would they be?

Now there's something. 8 time and current Mr Olympia, Ronnie Coleman - who probably made in excess of $10,000 for the appearance, and who earns millions a year in endorsements and contest winnings - charges little kids, older fans, chicks - everyone - $10 for a signed photo. And that's not an insult. But as soon as someone who was competing in Olympia level competition at an age when Ronnie was still a beginner, someone who may be considered somewhat of a pioneer of modern bodybuilding, someone who isn't being paid a million a year to lift and eat, trys to charge $20, it becomes an insult.

My impression of you has changed because of your comments about big Lou. And for the record, I'd pay $50 for a photo and the opportunity to talk to him, because you know you'd learn something more than simply, "If you take the BSN Mass Stack, you'll look just like me!"

**MurphMan** · 03-14-2006, 10:05 AM

You go Lou!!

MotorcityAl · 03-14-2006, 07:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MurphMan

You go Lou!!

Yes, please go....far away.

beer20 · 03-14-2006, 09:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Apowerz6

What a effin tool, 20 bux a t the Arnold while Ronnie was only charging 10 what a efin insult. I am glad I did not waste anytime on that Assclown. I ahve many other words for him but I would want you guys to have a good impression of me. Truthfully some of the guys attitudes were shitty at the Arnold... Without the fans where would they be?

i wouldnt pay 20,but there must be people out there that pay,otherwise he wouldnt charge that much....

datruodb · 03-15-2006, 01:09 AM

he's such an asshole!

needpaintogain · 05-30-2006, 07:16 PM

WOW, real dickhead move.......As if the charging for taking a picture isnt bad enough to the fans.....He pulls this with his family, which is so disrespectful on so many levels its ridiculous......

He must really be broke to be pulling a scumbag move like this

caferacer · 05-30-2006, 07:28 PM

03-10-2006, 04:21 AM	#1
powerman2000 The Old Moderator Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Colorado Posts: 4,281 Recipes: 0 Rep Power: 199	Ferrigno Files Suit Over Brother's Store Wow, this will not help Lou with his already faltering image amongst BB fans. NEWARK, N.J. (AP) - In his former incarnation, Lou Ferrigno probably would have ripped his shirt off and smashed his brother to bits. But now the former champion bodybuilder who starred as TV's "Incredible Hulk" is using the federal court system to settle a dispute with his brother over trademark rights to a fitness equipment store in Warren County. Ferrigno is suing his brother, Andrew, and Andrew's wife, Janie, who live in Bethlehem, Pa., and their business, Ferrigno Fitness of Greenwich Township, claiming they are unlawfully trading on the name and image of the former action star. "This is bullying," said Scott Wilhelm, lawyer for the defendants. "Andrew and his wife have been running their business for over 20 years, and now, for the first time ever, Lou wants to shut them down. "Andrew says nothing has happened between them to make his brother spiteful or vengeful," Wilhelm said. "I don't know what level of income Lou has these days, but Andrew is confident that it still far exceeds his." The lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court in Trenton, claims the store has a green awning, portions of the interior are green, and one green wall is covered with photos of Lou Ferrigno in bodybuilding poses, as well as in his trademark green makeup for his role as the Hulk. The lawsuit asserts that the "defendants deliberately chose a trade name incorporating the Ferrigno name in an effort to profit from the reputation and renown of Lou Ferrigno." "On numerous occasions, Lou Ferrigno and members of his family have been contacted or approached by strangers or acquaintances who believe that Ferrigno Fitness is 'Lou's store,'" the complaint read. Lou Ferrigno, who lives in Santa Monica, Cal., says in court papers that he has no interest or involvement in the New Jersey store. His lawyer did not immediately return a call seeking comment Thursday. The lawsuit also accuses the New Jersey business of cybersquatting by registering the Internet domain name . Lou Ferrigno says he has been using that corporate name for his own business ventures.http://www.ferrignofitness.com Wilhelm said Andrew Ferrigno and his late father, Matthew, began selling fitness equipment in Brooklyn, N.Y. in 1980. Two years later, the father bought a 5,000 square-foot retail store on Route 57 in Greenwich and moved the business there. The father died in 2003 after a two-year battle with stomach cancer - a period in which Lou Ferrigno offered no help with the business, the lawyer said. Wilhelm said his clients intend to fight the lawsuit, whose claims he said are "without merit." __________________ Don't forget to periodize Best BP 507 lbs competitive Best Squat 705 lbs competitive Best DL 650 lbs competitive Guns don't kill people, men who come home early do. My workout log http://www.ironmass.com/forums/showthread.php?t=6247

03-10-2006, 05:03 AM	#3
beer20 Pro Stature Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Bay Area ,CA Posts: 216 Recipes: 0 Rep Power: 6	thats sad... doesnt he still charge for pictures too? __________________

03-10-2006, 12:08 PM	#6
MyTMouse Pro Stature Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 264 Recipes: 0 Rep Power: 6	he also charges little kids for autographs. for charity events, that stuff is fine. but if an 8 year old comes up to a sports star for an autograph, and says "i'm your biggest fan", the athletes response should be something other than "15 bucks kid". __________________

03-10-2006, 12:09 PM	#7
Lift I Love IronMass.Com Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 840 Recipes: 0 Rep Power: 11	He's starting to sounds like a moose to me __________________ MrLiftALot@hotmail.com "King Kong Ain't Got Sh*t On Me..."

03-10-2006, 03:45 PM	#10
Lift I Love IronMass.Com Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 840 Recipes: 0 Rep Power: 11	Oh its just something my friends say..its derogotary (sp?) but has no determinate definition __________________ MrLiftALot@hotmail.com "King Kong Ain't Got Sh*t On Me..."

03-10-2006, 07:17 PM	#11
bdybldr16 Amateur Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 69 Recipes: 0 Rep Power: 3	i heard lou was a jackass as well. he just isnt nice __________________ Check out planetary nutrition here: They Rock!!!! http://www.planetarynutrition.com/?Click=6418 "Lift hard or go home"

03-10-2006, 09:30 PM	#12
Apowerz6 Amateur Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: CHITOWN Posts: 34 Recipes: 0 Rep Power: 0	What a effin tool, 20 bux a t the Arnold while Ronnie was only charging 10 what a efin insult. I am glad I did not waste anytime on that Assclown. I ahve many other words for him but I would want you guys to have a good impression of me. Truthfully some of the guys attitudes were shitty at the Arnold... Without the fans where would they be? __________________ Originally Posted by a MAN I respect sincerely..... Dr. D!!! "Because estrogen is inherently more evil than testosterone. Pick up a copy of the Merck chemical index and look up progesterone and estradiol. It says that they can "reasonably be anticipated to cause cancer in the state of California". :evil5:

03-14-2006, 10:05 AM	#14
MurphMan Robomoderator Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 1,907 Recipes: 0 Rep Power: 30	You go Lou!!

03-15-2006, 01:09 AM	#17
datruodb Pro Stature Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Tulsa, Ok Posts: 326 Recipes: 0 Rep Power: 6	he's such an asshole! __________________ Vanilla Gorilla

05-30-2006, 07:16 PM	#18
needpaintogain New Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: New Jersey Posts: 7 Recipes: 0 Rep Power: 0	WOW, real dickhead move.......As if the charging for taking a picture isnt bad enough to the fans.....He pulls this with his family, which is so disrespectful on so many levels its ridiculous...... He must really be broke to be pulling a scumbag move like this

05-30-2006, 07:28 PM	#19
caferacer Amateur Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Virginia Posts: 54 Recipes: 0 Rep Power: 3	__________________ B 315X1 S 365X5 D 335X5 On the road to a ripped 220lbs.

05-30-2006, 07:33 PM	#20
Trick D Mushroom Cloud Laying.... Join Date: May 2005 Location: Huntington West Virginia Posts: 5,159 Recipes: 0 Rep Power: 115