13 SEP 05: THE PHRASE THAT PAYS?
Alabama's Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail may have received an unusual phone call Monday -- from a Columbus man claiming they stole his copyrighted idea. And amazingly, this man is NOT named Larry Mize....
BLOG EXCLUSIVE: Columbus resident Michael Williams says the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail has a commercial with the phrase, "Quality leads to quantity." Williams tells me he copyrighted that phrase years ago, "and I sure as h**l don't play golf." These tennis players can be so possessive....
(So how did a Golf Trail take this idea from a non-golfer? Did someone put a wild shot in Michael Williams's yard?)
The Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail can relax a little bit, because Michael Williams says he will NOT take them to court for copyright infringement. "I believe in arbitration," he told me. Which, of course, assumes the other side does -- and neither side stares down the other.
Michael Williams plans to consult with his attorney about the use of "quality leads to quantity." His attorney lives in Nashville -- which tells me even if Williams wins the arbitration, the REAL winner will go home wearing a pinstripe suit.
While he's at it, Michael Williams's lawyer might want to contact some other people. A Google search for "quality leads to quantity" Monday night found 63 web pages, none with Williams's name on them. Something clever written by Tim Chitwood would get much more attention than this.
(Wait a minute - only 63 web pages mention "quality leads to quantity"? Does this mean the copyright is on a not-so-quality phrase?)
We also checked a similar phrase: "Quality produces quantity." This also brought 63 matches - several connecting to Rick Warren, the best-selling author of "The Purpose-Driven Life." Maybe this pastor should spend 40 days studying the copyright office filings....
I hadn't noticed the phrase "quality leads to quantity" in the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail ad. I guess it's because my idea of big-time golf is playing on a mini-course at Panama City Beach....
What grabbed my attention more in recent Golf Trail commercials is the use of opera music. One ad has one of my favorite songs from "Aida," and.... hey, wait a second! Did they pay royalty money to Giuseppe Verdi's family?
THE BIG BLOG QUESTION posted by special request ended a two-week run Monday. It shows 23 percent of you would be interested in using a full-service Christian music studio, while 62 percent would not (3-8-2 not sure). To be honest, the man who offered this question says he probably doesn't want anyone in the 62 percent, anyway.
BLOG UPDATE:
I need to rest up for a big speech, so here are some quick items to close out Monday's matters:
+ The deadline passed for Phenix City's Center City Motel to offer a cleanup plan. Will Russell County's District Attorney now move to close it down, for harboring drug dealers and prostitutes? And if so, could it become yet another satellite campus for Chattahoochee Valley Community College?
+ The Columbus Cottonmouths signed a new five-year lease with the Civic Center. Who would have imagined this? A team which plays on ice has the most solid footing of any sports team in town.
+ The Atlanta Falcons opened regular-season play by beating Philadelphia 14-10. The meeting was so intense that two players were ejected for fighting - 20 minutes before the game started! Put those two on the list of people who think Monday night games should start at 8:00 p.m. ET, not 9:00 p.m.
(It became so warm inside the Georgia Dome that several players developed cramps and dehydration. You don't think the Falcon managers were trying to borrow an idea from the Superdome, do you....?)
+ Instant Message to countless older women: Your favorite TV show has moved. "Family Feud" is now on WXTX at 12:00 noon - and I realize this gives you a tough choice. After all, about 15 years ago Chuck Leonard looked the way Richard Kahn does now.
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