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Forums - Nintendo Discussion - The true History of Kirby

matheousse on 29 January 2008
John Kirby is an American attorney employed by the law firm Latham & Watkins LLP that has represented a number of notable corporations in legal disputes. One of his most well-known cases was Universal City Studios, Inc. v. Nintendo Co., Ltd. In this case, he defended Nintendo against litigation from Universal City Studios in a dispute revolving around the video game Donkey Kong, which Universal claimed to be illegally based on King Kong. Kirby won the case, a landmark victory for Nintendo, by presenting evidence that Universal had previously won a legal battle against RKO that stated the story and characters of King Kong were in the public domain; thus, Universal had no legal right to claim ownership of the characters and basic scenario (man rescuing a woman from a large ape) when the studio originally threatened legal action against Nintendo.

It is believed that the popular Nintendo character Kirby was named in his honor. He also has exclusive rights to use the name "Donkey Kong" for sailboats

 

Funny, isn't it?



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pichu_pichu on 29 January 2008

such a nice honor for him



Fuzzmosis on 29 January 2008

So, a character that compulsively sucks and swallows was named after a lawyer?



See Ya George.

"He did not die - He passed Away"

At least following a comedians own jokes makes his death easier.

MaxwellGT2000 on 29 January 2008

Hahaha funny history lesson, do something for Nintendo and they immortalize you as a pink floating ball that eats everything.



MaxwellGT2000 - "Does the amount of times you beat it count towards how hardcore you are?"

Wii Friend Code - 5882 9717 7391 0918 (PM me if you add me), PSN - MaxwellGT2000, XBL - BlkKniteCecil, MaxwellGT2000

arsenalrc15 on 29 January 2008

very interesting. a very informative thread



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dude17761991hatp on 29 January 2008

It's the ultimate honor.



My Games of 2011:

The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword

Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim

Super Mario 3D Land

Uncharted 3: Drake's Deception

blaydcor on 29 January 2008

"He also has exclusive rights to use the name Donkey Kong for sailboats"

I'm sure he's shitting his pants in joy over that one.

"Here are my sailboats....over there is the Donkey Kong I. To the left is the Donkey Kong II, and just past it is the Donkey Kong III."



Crusty VGchartz old timer who sporadically returns & posts. Let's debate nebulous shit and expand our perpectives. Or whatever.

Words Of Wisdom on 29 January 2008
blaydcor said:
"He also has exclusive rights to use the name Donkey Kong for sailboats"

I'm sure he's shitting his pants in joy over that one.

"Here are my sailboats....over there is the Donkey Kong I. To the left is the Donkey Kong II, and just past it is the Donkey Kong III."

"Would you like to take a ride across the Atlantic Ocean on my Donkey?"



DSLover on 30 January 2008

Nice honor. I wonder if any other characters are named after people for a similar reason.



 

 

Faxanadu on 30 January 2008

nice find. very educating.

maybe he was small, a bit chubby and so...



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