|

Posted in music on March 7, 2010

Jonah Matranga thinking of suing J-Lo

a letter posted on Jonah's website...

Jlo

Right after Jennifer Lopez played on SNL a little while ago, I [Jonah Matranga] got a bunch of messages from people saying she'd used the heart/question mark image that I've been using for many years. Lots of you said I should sue to stop ol' J-Lo from using it further or whatever. I thought it was kind of a bummer that she used it, but pretty funny overall. Mostly, I didn't think that I would have the money or time to deal with whatever high-powered management and lawyers J-Lo has, so I kinda wrote it off as one of those weird things that happens.

Then, a friend who knows about Intellectual Property law got in touch and said I actually do have a valid case. It turns out her new album will be called 'Love?', so it seems like the image might be used by her a whole lot more. When I think about it, I would rather that she didn't use this image that I've come to enjoy so much. I have it on so many albums, posters, shirts. I draw it when I sign stuff for people, I have a tattoo of it, many of you do as well. I'm not sure what the image means to you, but it has come to mean many things to me over the years. One of those things is simply, 'I love ideas'. Anyway, I asked some lawyer friends about what I could do to stop her. I'm putting some stuff together (album covers, etc) to show that I'm a legitimate artist whose art, image and community she'd be messing with.

Here's where you come in: I've also been told that you can help out by sending photos of ways you've used the image in your life, after you found it through my music. So, if you have a tattoo of it, or you've made drawings of it, or you have anything at all that shows the many ways the little heartquestion has gotten out there, I'd love to see it, and so would the lawyers. You can post your pics (or links to them) here, or send them via any number of internetty ways, or just mail 'em to me.

I have no idea what will happen from all this, but it seems as good an excuse as any to gather this stuff together and remember the power and fun of making stuff and putting it out into the world.

Please pass this on to anyone who might be interested.

Thanks always,

Jonah

Tags: J-Lo, Jennifer Lopez, Jonah Matranga, lawsuits, Onelinedrawing, Saturday Night Live, SNL
posted at 5:16 PM on March 7, 2010 in music | Comments (24)

Comments (24)

BV, seriously?

Posted by TXn | March 7, 2010 5:36 PM

fuck yes he should go after her.

Posted by Anonymous | March 7, 2010 5:40 PM

Not that they shouldn't go after J-Lo.
But BV, please give me something better to read on a Sunday
THX

Posted by TXn | March 7, 2010 5:49 PM

TOTAL SLACKER

Posted by Anonymous | March 7, 2010 6:31 PM

Jonah MEHtranga and MEHnnifer Lopez. Who cares about this? Did Perez Hilton take over this site? Jeez.

Posted by Anonymous | March 7, 2010 7:33 PM

Sue the BITCH!!

Posted by Anonymous | March 7, 2010 8:00 PM

who the fuck is jonah?

Posted by Anonymous | March 7, 2010 8:33 PM

"Did Perez Hilton take over this site? Jeez."

What does Jonah Matranga have to do with Perez Hilton? dumbass.

Posted by Anonymous | March 7, 2010 9:25 PM

man i never thought i would pine for more posts about vivian girls

Posted by Anonymous | March 7, 2010 10:39 PM

just what this country needs- another frivolous lawsuit. it's a fucking heart design. hardly a masterpiece. maybe you can get JLo to blow you or something.

Posted by Anonymous | March 7, 2010 11:02 PM

"I asked some lawyer friends about what I could do to stop her"

if they were your FRIENDS, they would have said, "nothing. get on with your life Jonah. Nobody's heard of you. You will never convince any judge or jury you invented jack shit, not the peace sign, the smiley face, the emoticon or the heart question mark cartoon. if you want a 'legitimate' artistic legacy, then make something, instead of asking lawyers to make one for you."

Posted by Anonymous | March 7, 2010 11:39 PM

you're all ignorant and don't know shit about Jonah

Posted by Anonymous | March 8, 2010 1:37 AM

One Line Drawing was good times back in the day. also enjoyed Far.

Posted by jim | March 8, 2010 10:16 AM

I am officially trademarking the word "cunt" now.

Posted by Anonymous | March 8, 2010 10:51 AM

Wonder if telegraphing his plans to sue is going to hurt the likelihood of his victory?


Plus I still think it's debatable whether or not he has a case. Why hasn't Bang Camaro sued The xx?

Posted by Anonymous | March 8, 2010 11:14 AM

ha ha ha this article made me laugh....go jlo! u dont stand a chance u sucker!

Posted by jerdog | March 8, 2010 12:50 PM

Jonah's the man. I hope she stops using it. She's crazy.

Posted by Anonymous | March 8, 2010 9:34 PM

what else is new? when was the last time J HO had an original idea?

Posted by Anonymous | March 9, 2010 5:01 PM

any idiot can think "hey a question mark looks like half a heart". fuck off.

Posted by Anonymous | March 10, 2010 8:47 PM

Wow, i knew people on the interwebs can be really abusive for no reason at all, and a lot of you give the word rude a whole new dimension...

If you think he has no case or if you disagree, a simple 'you don't stand a chance dude' or, 'wow, so, you really think you can beat J-Lo's lawyers?" will suffice. He's a hard working human being not much unlike yourself (he is a lot nicer than you guys though!).

Posted by bliv | March 14, 2010 6:21 AM

ey were your FRIENDS, they would have said, "nothing. get on with your life Jonah. Nobody's heard of you. You will never convince any judge or jury you invented jack shit, not the peace sign, the smiley face, the emoticon or the heart question mark cartoon. if you want a 'legitimate' artistic legacy, then make something, instead of asking lawyers to make one for you."

nobody has ever heard of him? Far is considered by most rock bands to be one of the most influential bands of the 90's and some of the most critically aclaimed rock music of the 90's. Just because YOU or your fist pumping friends havent heard of him, doesnt mean shit guy.

Posted by Anonymous | April 17, 2010 10:26 AM

Jonah is indeed a legitimate artist who has had albums out on major labels. I remember the <3? from back in the day with his solo work, but have been a fan of his long before I knew who J-Lo was.

Posted by John | May 13, 2010 7:38 PM

Ok, to all who don't know who Jonah is, why the fuck are you even commenting on this? Move on, your opinion does not fucking matter. Jonah is an amazing artist and one of the most kind hearted people i've ever met. He's been using this symbol for a long time so maybe J-Lo and all her lawyer's should have done some research before she used ya think?

Jonah, do what you feel is right man! And the new FAR album rock's!

J-Ma=pass
J-Lo=fail

Posted by TyS | June 1, 2010 11:51 PM

thanks god bya ..

Posted by ساحات | August 5, 2010 7:20 PM

Leave a Comment

What's Going On Today? BV Events Contests

Recently

Recent Comments

Recent Galleries

Most Popular

Recent Features

Browse Categories (or Browse Tags)

Blogroll

Blogroll Links

More Blogroll Links »

Dwnld & Stream