[thrdbndndn]

I just learned about this case today.

Based purely on the Wikipedia description, Sagan's request seems reasonable, from a moral perspective at least. I have no idea why Apple (or its engineers) would be so butthurt about it.

[yesco]

Because it was just a silly internal code name for an unreleased product and Carl Sagon was just being a killjoy to his own fans. That he continued to escalate with lawsuits makes him look ridiculous frankly...

[thrdbndndn]

His reason was "concerned that it would become a product endorsement," and it was after the name was "publicized," which sounds reasonable to me.

The joy can only go so far, IMHO. If the namesake person asked for it, you comply—pretty simple. I can totally see why people aren’t comfortable with their name being used without permission, even without the endorsement concern.

[yesco]

Personally, I think the subsequent libel lawsuits demonstrates it was all just ego

[thrdbndndn]

So he was supposed to just accept being called "Butt-Head Astronomer"? Sure, I’d respect him more if he did, but I’m not going to call him pompous or having a big ego just because he didn’t.

[wk_end]

It’s not very nice to call someone a butthead, but to sue over it just sort of makes their case.

[thrdbndndn]

I'm a bit lost here. Shouldn't the blame fall more on the people who used someone else's name without permission and acted like jerks when asked to stop?

Why are we holding the victim to a higher standard now?

[TheCoelacanth]

Yes, that's the nature of free speech. Butt-Head is clearly a statement of opinion and not of fact. Apple is entitled to communicate their opinion of people. It is clearly not defamatory.

[thaumasiotes]

Well, suing for libel clearly shows he's an idiot, since there's no claim of fact.

Usually if you file a patently frivolous lawsuit, you get sanctioned.

[SoftTalker]

He always struck me as a bit of a pompous ass.