Evel Knievel Sues Kanye West Over Video

Tue Dec 12,10:48 PM ET


Evel Knievel has sued Kanye West, taking issue with a music video in which the rapper takes on the persona of "Evel Kanyevel" and tries to jump a rocket-powered motorcycle over a canyon.

Knievel, whose real name is Robert Craig Knievel, filed a lawsuit in federal court in Tampa on Monday claiming infringement on his trademark name and likeness. He also claims the "vulgar and offensive" images depicted in the video damage his reputation.

"That video that Kanye West put out is the most worthless piece of crap I've ever seen in my life, and he uses my image to catapult himself on the public," the 68-year-old daredevil said Tuesday.

A spokesman for West said the 28-year-old rapper no comment. The lawsuit seeks damages and to halt distribution of the video.

In the video for "Touch the Sky," released earlier this year, West dons the familiar Knievel star-studded jumpsuit and jumps a canyon in a vehicle "visually indistinguishable" from the one used by Knievel in his failed attempt to jump the Snake River Canyon in Idaho in 1974, the lawsuit said.

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The video, which features Pamela Anderson as West's girlfriend, contains "vulgar and offensive sexual images, language and conduct involving `Evel Kanyevel' and women apparently trying to gain his sexual interest," according to the lawsuit.

"The guy just went too far using me to promote his filth to the world," said Knievel, who lives in Clearwater and has been in poor health in recent years. "I'm not in any way that kind of a person."

The lawsuit also names Roc-A-Fella Records, video director Chris Milk and AOL for distributing it.

West was so disappointed at not winning best video for "Touch the Sky" at the MTV Europe Music Awards last month that he crashed the stage when it was presented to Justice and Simian for "We Are Your Friends."

In a tirade riddled with expletives, West said he should have won the prize because it "cost a million dollars, Pamela Anderson was in it. I was jumping across canyons."

Knievel failed spectacularly in the 1974 jump. He was secured inside the cockpit and the Sky-Cycle was fired up. But his parachute opened just as he cleared the ramp. After soaring about 1,000 feet, he wound up landing about 20 feet from the river on the rocky south bank. He sustained only scrapes and bruises.

In the video, West's vehicle crashes to the bottom of the canyon in flames.

More "celebrities" should be this honest. I loled.

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Cheeseburger lips!

I really hope Evil Knievel makes some kind of diss record about Kanye. That would be swell.

haha.. I'm sure this will just feed his ego and I think it will be thrown out. And if not it really should be. Its a parody for god's sake.

we are your friends deserved to win that award, that video is amazing.
i haven't even seen that touch the sky thing but it sounds awful.

It was a lame video as I recall. It was also really poor quality and generally pointless.

He's still alive? He needs to try harder, clearly.

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Time is the distance that you can't return by miles.

I escaped somehow. Let's go

actualy [sic] I have quite a blessed life if I'm honest. I have many people to love, hate few and have few money problem's [sic].... What more does a person need? Oh yeah and I have some kind of humbleness unlike you of course ^_^ ~ CarefulCarpenter

LOLZ

the only thing that made the video worth watching was pam. if she wasnt in it, i wouldnt have bothered.

my god...i dont think ive heard of such a big headed artisit in my life (west).

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TAMPA - In his Touch the Sky video, rap star Kanye West dons a white, star-spangled jumpsuit and tries to ride a rocket across a canyon.

Famed daredevil and Clearwater resident Robert Craig "Evel" Knievel says that's a little too close to his trademark-protected image and is taking West and his producers to court.

The lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court, accuses West of trademark infringement and unauthorized use of Knievel's image.

The suit goes on to say the video tarnished Knievel's image with its vulgar, sexual and racially charged content.

"The guy just disgraced me," said Knievel, 68, who said he hopes to halt showings of the video and win several million dollars.

"I have done the best I can to set an example for children, and then this guy comes along and tries to rip it apart," he said.

The suit names West, Roc-A-Fella Records and music video director Chris Milk as defendants.

West's publicist did not respond to a request for comment.

In the suit, Knievel is described as an "internationally famous motorcycle daredevil who has been a household name since the late 1960s." He registered his name as a trademark in 2001 and, according to the lawsuit, sales of toys and other products bearing his name have grossed more than $300-million.

The stunt star's white jumpsuit, featuring a V-shaped blue stripe emblazoned with white stars, is so closely associated with Knievel it is also protected by the trademark, the lawsuit said.

The Touch the Sky video features West dressed as a daredevil named "Evel Kanyevel." After cavorting with actor Pamela Anderson, he attempts to jump a canyon on a jet-powered vehicle.

Richard Fee, Knievel's attorney, said the video mimics his client's famous attempt to jump the Snake River Canyon in 1974.

"It's not just a three-second snippet," Fee said. "The whole video is about Kanye West portraying Evel Knievel. It's rather blatant and obvious."

But Knievel said he is most concerned with the video's sexually charged content, which he said hurts his reputation as a role model for children.

"In my opinion, this video maybe reflects West and his way of life, but it's sure not mine," Knievel said.

Knievel is asking for a court order prohibiting West from using his image. He is also demanding royalty payments and damages.

He said his health is failing. He had a stroke in September and doctors gave him only three years to live after he was diagnosed with an illness that hardens the lungs.

But Knievel said he was so angered by the video, he had to take action.

"I don't want my children or my grandchildren associated with this kind of thing," he said. "I want it stopped."

This is not the first time in recent years Knievel has filed suit over perceived damage to his public persona. In 2005, he and his wife, Krystal, sued ESPN for labeling him a "pimp" in a photo caption on the network's Web site. ESPN won the case.

People, there is a God!!!!!!!! I hope Kanye Looses millions, which is what Evel insists on getting. Not only did Kanye spend millions making it, he's st to loose million on copyright infringement!!!

ahahaha

I can't stand kanye west anyways but this is hilar

But hey, guess who is now being talked about by KR people for surely the first time ever? He's just a wee bit back in the limelight. SUCCESS.

__________________
Time is the distance that you can't return by miles.

I escaped somehow. Let's go

actualy [sic] I have quite a blessed life if I'm honest. I have many people to love, hate few and have few money problem's [sic].... What more does a person need? Oh yeah and I have some kind of humbleness unlike you of course ^_^ ~ CarefulCarpenter