John Wayne’s family suing university over rights to ‘Duke’ name

With all the problems in the world ..... then this comes up ......

Who is the rightful heir to the “Duke legacy” — a major private university or the descendants of a movie star who want to put his name on bottles of whiskey?

Specifically, the heirs to Marion Robert Morrison, aka John Wayne, have filed suit against Duke University, seeking to claim a trademark to use the “Duke” namesake in liquor sales.

The Hollywood Reporter first reported on the lawsuit, noting that the university and the Wayne family have been in a number of disputes over the past decade contesting the use of the "Duke" moniker on everything from gaming machines to restaurant services.

For its part, Duke University argues that using the “Duke” nickname for different commercial purposes would only confuse the public. “Consistent with its policies and in order to prevent tarnishment of its brand, [Duke University] does not permit use of confusingly similar marks associated with unapproved goods or services, of uncertain quality and/or unregulated by [Duke University]," the university argued in a response to the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.

In the complaint, members of the Wayne family argue that since Duke University does not actually make alcoholic beverages, the Wayne family should be able to use the “Duke” name in conjunction with bourbon sales. Wayne’s image has become a popular marketing brand for the family, appearing on an assortment of items — even bags of charcoal.

“Duke University does not own the word 'Duke' in all contexts and purposes,” the complaint reads in part. "Duke is a common word that has been in use for centuries in a wide array of commercial and other applications wholly independent of Duke University. Yet by the actions alleged herein, Duke University seems to think it owns the word 'Duke' for all purposes and applications."

Wayne’s son, Ethan Wayne, currently serves as president of John Wayne Enterprises, based in Newport Beach, Calif. In addition to managing the family’s commercial endeavors, Ethan Wayne also heads up the John Wayne Cancer Foundation.

Of course, John Wayne fans might have to laugh at all the drama. After all, the “Duke” nickname wasn’t originally given to Wayne to signify his grandiose stature. It was the name of his childhood dog, but Wayne liked it so much that his neighbors simply transferred it to him, referring to Wayne as “Big Duke” and his dog as “Little Duke.”

“Hell, the truth is that I was named after a dog!” Wayne once famously said.

Ron Paul

Ronald Ernest Paul was born on August 20, 1935 in Pittsburgh, the son of Howard Caspar Paul and Margaret (née Dumont) Paul. His paternal great-grandparents emigrated from Germany, and his mother was of German and Irish ancestry.Paul grew up in the western Pennsylvania town of Green Tree. His father ran a small dairy company.


At age 5, Paul worked with his brothers in the basement of the family's home, checking hand-washed milk bottles for spots. As a junior at suburban Dormont High School, he was the 220-yard dash state champion. He attended Gettysburg College, where he was a member of Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity and earned a B.S. degree in biology in 1957.

After earning a Doctor of Medicine degree from Duke University's School of Medicine in 1961, Paul relocated with his wife to Michigan, where he completed his medical internship at the Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit. He then served as a flight surgeon in the United States Air Force from 1963 to 1965 and then in the United States Air National Guard from 1965 to 1968.

In 1968, Paul and his wife relocated to Texas, where he continued his medical work. Trained in obstetrics and gynecology, Paul then began his own private practice. As a physician, Paul routinely lowered fees or worked for free and refused to accept Medicaid or Medicare payments. A 2002 newsletter of the Association of American Physicians and Surgeons (AAPS) listed Paul as a member.

As a member of Congress, he continues to refuse to sign up for the government pension that he would be entitled to in order to avoid receiving government money, saying it would be "hypocritical and immoral."
 

Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Texas's 14th district

Incumbent
Assumed office January 3, 1997
Preceded by Greg Laughlin
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Texas's 22nd district
In office January 3, 1979 – January 3, 1985
Preceded by Robert Gammage
Succeeded by Tom DeLay
In office April 3, 1976 – January 3, 1977
Preceded by Robert R. Casey
Succeeded by Robert Gammage
Personal details
Born Ronald Ernest Paul
August 20, 1935 (age 76)
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Political party Republican (1976–1988, 1988–present)
Libertarian (1988 Presidential Election)
Spouse(s) Carolyn "Carol" Paul
Children Ronald "Ronnie" Paul, Jr., Lori Paul Pyeatt, Randal "Rand" Paul, Robert Paul, Joy Paul-LeBlanc
Residence Lake Jackson, Texas
Alma mater Gettysburg College (B.S.)
Duke University (M.D.)
Profession Gynaecologist (Physician), Politician
Religion Christian (Baptist)[1]
Military service
Service/branch United States Air Force
Texas Air National Guard
Years of service 1963–1965
1965–1968
Rank Captain[2]



Part of my daily routine ............

We were sitting out in front talking last night, with some neighbors, mostly about my age, talking about routines, and how we have gotten to the age where we all were today. Each one had his or her own daily routine, certain things they did to start the day, and keep them going through the day.

It got around to me, and I gave them my daily routine.

I generally wake up around 8, give or take ten or fifteen minutes either way.

The first thing I do is open my eyes, realize that I am alive, it is morning, and I thank Him, for getting me safely through the night. Then I thank HIM for safely getting ALL of my family and friends through the night. No phone calls from anyone, so I assume all my kids, grand kids and great grand kids are all OK.

As I slowly drop my legs off the bed, and start sitting up, I ALWAYS think of Joe Gilligan. I met Joe years ago. His wife always drove him, asked him why, and he told me. One morning, he sprang out of bed and jumped up, too fast, and his balance has been whacked ever since. So I always think of Joe, and get up
V   E   R   Y      S   L   O   W   L   Y, thinking of Joe Gilligan.

Now I am up, sitting on the side of the bed. I thank HIM for giving me this day. I ask HIM to  be with me throughout the day, again, to look out for my wife, my family, and to walk beside me during the day.

So far, I have thanked HIM for getting me through the night, and now am asking HIM to be with me during the day.

Now, I slowly stand up, do a little wiggling to make sure everything is working, and take a few, slow, deliberate steps beside the bed, generally holding on, and then, at the end of the bed, I get a good solid hold on the bedpost, turn right, take a step, and then go into my John Wayne walk. I kinda move my right shoulder a little forward, raise my right elbow a little and take those slow, "Howdy Pilgrim" steps, very deliberate, and walk that way to the bathroom.

For some reason, when I walk like John Wayne, all the unsureness in my walk disappears. I walk confidently, just like the Duke did, that gets me to the bathroom, confidently, and all in one piece. The first hurdle of the day is cleared nicely.