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Publicity Stunt

Lawsuits are filed to right a wrong, to be made whole when the plaintiff is damaged. But sometimes, the point is actually to get news coverage, which seems to be to be a true abuse of the courts. These are some of the craziest examples from the files of the True Stella Awards.

117: Grinding the Law to a Halt

Posted May 26, 2025June 13, 2022 in Categories 2006, Dishonorable Mention, Editorial, Media, Not in the Book, Publicity Stunt, Settled2 Comments

Stella Case No. 117, Originally Published: 17 January 2007

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Tags Appliances, California, Hollywood, Missouri, TV show

074: That Voodoo You Do Not Well

Posted May 26, 2025June 28, 2021 in Categories 2004, Media, Publicity Stunt, Religion, Withdrawn2 Comments

Stella Case No. 074, Originally Published: 2 June 2004

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Tags Freedom of speech, Pennsylvania, Reality television, Science Fiction channel, TV show

069: Everybody Wants to Be a Critic

Posted May 26, 2025May 17, 2021 in Categories 2004, Dishonorable Mention, Dismissed, Publicity Stunt2 Comments

Stella Case No. 069, Originally Published: 7 January 2004

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Tags Caberet, East Village, Manhattan, New York, Restaurant, Review, Transvestites, Zagat

058: Harry Potter and the Colossal Lawsuit

Posted May 26, 2025February 22, 2021 in Categories 2003, Celebrity, Dishonorable Mention, Foreign, Media, Publicity Stunt, Status Unknown3 Comments

Stella Case No. 058, Originally Published: 2 July 2003

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Tags Copyright, Intellectual Property, Publishing

055: I’ll Be Your (Subpoena) Server Today

Posted May 26, 2025February 1, 2021 in Categories 2003, Award, Defamation, Media, Police, Publicity Stunt4 Comments

Stella Case No. 055, Originally Published: 18 June 2003

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Tags Pennsylvania, Radio prank

050: Trans-Frivolous Lawsuit

Posted May 26, 2025December 21, 2020 in Categories 2003, Lawyer Plaintiff, Publicity Stunt, Runner Up, Withdrawn4 Comments

Stella Case No. 050, Originally Published: 29 May 2003

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Tags California, Cookies, Food, Trans fats

024: If the Name Fits

Posted May 26, 2025September 14, 2020 in Categories 2002, Defamation, Dismissed, Media, Publicity Stunt, Runner Up, You Decide6 Comments

Stella Case No. 024, Originally Published: 11 December 2002

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Tags Charity, Intellectual Property, Montana, Trademark

Letter: What Am I Doing Here?

Posted May 26, 2025September 3, 2020 in Categories 2002, Editorial, Publicity Stunt13 Comments

Extra from Issue No. 11, Originally Published: 27 November 2002

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Tags Letter, Obliviot, Rant

019: Activists Attempt to Hog-tie Parents

Posted May 26, 2025August 24, 2020 in Categories 2002, Dishonorable Mention, Dismissed, Family, Publicity Stunt, Schools, Sports3 Comments

Stella Case No. 019, Originally Published: 20 November 2002

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Tags Animals, California, Rodeo

005: Silence Is Golden — For Some

Posted May 26, 2025July 6, 2020 in Categories 2002, Dishonorable Mention, Foreign, Publicity Stunt, Settled6 Comments

Stella Case No. 005, Originally Published: 25 September 2002

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Tags Intellectual Property, Music, U.K.

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