Seinfeld Lawyers Argue that He's a Comedian

Jerry Seinfeld’s lawyers urged a judge yesterday to throw out a defamation lawsuit brought against him by litigious cookbook author Missy Chase Lapine. In addition to suing Seinfeld’s wife Jessica for plagiarizing her book about sneaking healthy food into kids’ meals, Lapine has also sued Jerry for slander after he likened her to an assassin on David Letterman's show: "If you read history, many of the three-name people do become assassins. Mark David Chapman and, you know, James Earl Ray. So, that's my concern."

Lawyers insist Seinfeld was exercising his First Amendment rights on the show, and that “any statements Lapine perceived to be derogatory were made while he was in comedian mode,” according to court documents obtained the Daily News. They also object to the plaintiff’s characterization of Seinfeld as “a well-known actor” – his lawyers say Seinfeld is a comedian, and display a brazen willingness to perjure themselves for the Bee Movie star.

In defending herself in the copyright-and-trademark-infringement lawsuit, Jessica Seinfeld claims that the concept of sneaking veggies into children’s meals is so old that it's no longer protected by copyright laws, having been explored in such cookbooks as 1971's Confessions of a Sneaky Organic Cook ... Or How to Make Your Family Healthy When They're Not Looking! The Seinfelds also accuse Lapine of suing them just to boost sales of her sequel, The Sneaky Chef - How to Cheat on Your Man (In the Kitchen!). Buy it here for $11.61!

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By John Del Signore in News on June 19, 2008 1:55 PM

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You can only claim plagiarism if the expression of the concept is comparable. In other words, the books have to be almost identical, not just starting from the same idea. Look at all the movies that came out with similar premises within months of each other. Volcano vs.

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You can only claim plagiarism if the expression of the concept is comparable. In other words, the books have to be almost identical, not just starting from the same idea. Look at all the movies that came out with similar premises within months of each other. Volcano vs.

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sonyactivision

Jerry Seinfeld in "commedian mode"? Is this what happens when you're blending avarice and lack of spontaneity, and instead of hitting "puree", you accidentally hit "grind"?

Spirit of 76

No concept can be covered by copyright. You can only claim plagiarism if the expression of the concept is comparable. In other words, the books have to be almost identical, not just starting from the same idea. Look at all the movies that came out with similar premises within months of each other. Volcano vs. Dante's Peak or Armageddon vs. Deep Impact. Nobody tried to sue each other there. This case should be thrown out of court immediately. It's a waste of valuable docket time.

EricRoberts

who better to judge food than nomnomnom

matukonyc

"...so old that it's no longer protected by copyright laws."

I hardly think a book written in 1971 can be described thus.

nomnomnom

@Snakefist Von Thunderplug - I believe blending some veggies into the hand mix would make for a good recipe. Maybe even a book!

Snakefist Von Thunderplug

Re #2:

Or he will win because it's a ridiculous lawsuit. Yea, Jerry Seinfeld is a shitty comedian, but regardless, you can't bring a defamation suit against satire.

Someone should shove this cunt's hand in a blender and make her drink it.

EricRoberts

@3 - but jerry was the straw that stirred the drink

babyhitler

to be a comedian you have to be funny. Not nebbishly annoying.

Gothamist_Cynic

A bad comedian at that. George, Kramer, and Elaine were so much funnier than Seinfeld.

Kevin Walsh

Seinfeld will win. He is a star, and the plaintiff is a nobody; that's how it works.

www.forgotten-ny.com

Guest

his lawyers say Seinfeld is a comedian, and display a brazen willingness to perjure themselves for the Bee Movie star.

After a failed attempt at humor using ridiculously biased journalism, John Del Signore sued the public-at-large for their brazen apathy.