Celebrity Feuds
Knievel Sues 'Kanyevel' Over Jumpsuit

World-famous daredevil Evel Knievel, 68, has sued rapper Kanye West -- over a cheesy jumpsuit and a rocket-propelled Skycycle.
Evel Kneivel, Kanye West
In a lawsuit filed Monday in Federal Court in Florida, the daredevil claims that Kanye infringed on his trademark name and likeness in West's video for "Touch the Sky." In the video, West portrays a character named "Evel Kanyevel" who attempts to jump a large canyon, not unlike Knievel's famous 1974 jump of Snake River Canyon in Idaho, which was not successful.

Knievel argues that the white jumpsuit he wore for the stunt and the "Skycycle" that he used are trademarked. Knievel also claims in the suit that "vulgar and offensive" images depicted in the video damage his reputation.

The lawsuit asks for damages and seeks to halt distribution of the video. West's reps couldn't be immediately reached for comment. No word on whether Knievel knows how many of Kanye West's fans were actually alive in 1974.



Tags: Evel Knievel, EvelKnievel, Kanye West, KanyeWest

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106. to post #93.. by Deeva

really?? ur saying everyone has the right to say whatever in this country, yet ur offended about the 'N word'? grow up!! and u sound like the most uneducated, contradicting person ever!! us WHITE people?? calling us racist??
you know something?? uve got some nerve coming on here bad mouthing white ppl.. the ppl i see being more racist than ever is them Negros!!

oh and guess what?? for those you using what ur ancestors did as an excuse for everything.. BULL!
Using ur ancestors pain and suffering as ur own stupid excuse! shame ON YOU!!!

the poor Slaves back then suffered.. NOT YOU!!! so all of you on welfare and complaining that white ppl are racist against you because of ur ancestors... get off your HUGE lazy butts, and work!!

Posted at 1:47PM on Dec 13th 2006 by Elistan

107. Okay, I agree with the peps that say this started off as Kanye getting sued to a race thing. How did that happen????? First of all, Kanye and his people should have checked the copyright laws before doing the video--hello you are a professional arent you! If your going to use something, give the person with the original thought credit!! And hey, nearly every artist has "borrowed" ideas--no matter what race. Second, people need to remember that the US is a melting pot! There have been and will be more than one race here--Native Americans, whites, Asians, Hispanics, Blacks, etc. Reading through the comments, I have to admit I laughed. I knew people were ignorant but ya'll take the cake. Get over yourselves! No matter what, the US will always be a mixture. We have to live with each other. If you dont like it, then I suggest you start trying to find a piece of land in this world that is available and start your own country--yeah, not going to happen! As far as one race being over the other--duh, we're all human. People are talented in their own ways. Its sad to think that some of you are going to make babies because all you will do is teach that child to be as ignorant as yourself. Do the world a favor and DONT!!!! And for those that will comment on this--I teach my kids to accept others as they come, no matter how mean and cruel that other person is. There are some things you cant change, just accept and move on.

Posted at 10:15AM on Dec 14th 2006 by goose

108. and by the way..
they dont call them ghettos for nothing.. tell me... who are the majorities that live there?? and why are those neighborhoods so dangerous?? yeah, i made my point..

Idiots.

Posted at 1:49PM on Dec 13th 2006 by Elistan

109. Elistan what are you talking about? Ghettos began as jewish communites idiot. and ghettos contain all races or would you prefer to call white ghettos trailer parks This is why I HATE PEOPLE LIKE YOU, YOU IDIOT! There is just as many crimes in suburbia just different kinds. Im sure you hear about the rich neighbor killing his whole family or the dad that molest his kids , or the teacher that sleeps with her students. An its your white president that gives america such a bad rep. If it wasnt for all the other races there wouldnt even be an america you know white people cant function alone dont get it confused america is no japan. You use other ethnicties to get ahead and take all the credit. its like a show i was watching last night, AMERICA PLAYS TAG WITH WHO THEY WANT TO HATE! SORRY MIDDLE EAST BUT YOUR IT RIGHT NOW. DONT WORRY OTHER COUNTRY WILL BE NEXT! AN OH PLEASE NAME ONE THING THE "WHITE MAN" HAS DONE SOLEY ON HIS OWN PLEASSSE IM DIEING TO KNOW

Posted at 2:17PM on Dec 13th 2006 by PROUD TO BE PERUVIAN

110. THERE MIGHT BE ALOT OF OTHER RACES IN THE GHETTO BUT THE WHITE MAN IS MAJORITY OF POOR PEOPLE IN COUNTRY THE COUNTRY HE BUILT ALL ON HIS OWN YES THE GREAT UNITED STATES OF AMERICA SOUND BACKWARDS TO ME

Posted at 6:36PM on Dec 15th 2006 by PROUD TO BE PERUVIAN

111. #98 yulu is it? Caucasions may NOT have found America but we made it the great, wonderful country it is today. And thats no thanks to black people either. Blacks make America an ugly place their the negativity about it.

Posted at 1:07PM on Dec 13th 2006 by yulu

You really believe this sh#$^%@ you wrote. Blacks picked your cotton took care of your kids, cooked your food and did all the crap work you did not want to. Blacks worked alonside whites and Asians and Indians to uplift this country. the first traffic light was invented by a black man. the many uses for peanuts was researched and produced by a black man. we can work hard. our womwn don't claim to be delicate wilting flowers that need to be knocked out in order to give birth. this was supposed to be about Kanye, but it has as usual turned racial. instead of listening to the long history of hatred that your parents and grandparents taught you...find out for yourself. and not just from the rap songs thta degrade us or the shows that have us as pimps, hookers and dope dealers. go out into the real world. there are idiots in every race.

Posted at 2:55PM on Dec 13th 2006 by Laura

112. JUST LOOK AT ALL THESE IGNORANT ASS COMMENTS, ANY REASONABLE PERSON CAN APPRECIATE THE QUALITY OF KANYE'S MUSIC, VIDEOS ETC. EVIL AS THEY CALL HIM SHOULD GET A LIFE AND STOP TRYIN' TO COME UP OFF OF A REAL ARTIST.

Posted at 2:56PM on Dec 13th 2006 by ME

113. Most of Kanye West's fans don't even know who Evel Kanevel is...WTF?

Posted at 4:29PM on Dec 13th 2006 by VV

114. I don't see what the big deal is and I am sure nothing will come of it.The guy didnt rip anyone off...it was just a video!!.And for that white trash,CMG i believe who is talking about blacks and hispanics ripping of whites...go and take up a real history book and get your facts straight!!...

Posted at 4:02PM on Dec 13th 2006 by JAMDOWN

115. @ Buttercup on post #25, We did not come here by choice. In the words of Malcolm X, "We didn't land on Plymouth Rock, Plymouth landed on us!" This country was built on the back of blacks that were brought to this country as slaves. Now it is being expanded by hispanics. Much love to the Bouriquas! Chitlin' Enchiladas All DAY!!!

Posted at 4:28PM on Dec 13th 2006 by VV

116. PROUD TO BE HISPANIC, ASIANS AREN'T WHITE THEY ARE GREY

Posted at 5:48PM on Dec 13th 2006 by WAHOO

117. Its astounding that Kanye's people did not tell him he needed to talk to Evel about using this material.

I hope EK wins this lawsuit in a very public way.

Posted at 9:01PM on Dec 13th 2006 by Donna D

118. "kanye is such a wannabe..and the biggest diva ive ever seen... if hes a real man, he would stand up and explain himself.. has he?? nope. hes probably home right now throwing himself a pity party."

what the hell are you talking about? explain himself?? explain what???
there IS NO CASE HERE. you wanna know why weird al doesnt get sued for parodying people? BECAUSE THE LAW SAYS YOU CAN LEGALLY PARODY PEOPLE.
This video is completely protected under those laws. Just like every parody that you see on TV. Even Kanye West has been parodied (carlos mencia?) and probably a bunch of other times.
And this wasnt even a "parody" but it falls under the same category. Evel Knievel has NO CASE HERE. If anything he should be happy that somebody still gives a f*** about him enough to spend a million dollars on a music video thats basically paying homage to him.
And how can he say "I don't want my children or my grandchildren associated with this kind of thing...I want it stopped." when he abused his wife and kids and used drugs, and also beat a man unconscious with a baseball bat. (see wikipedia)

Posted at 4:10AM on Dec 14th 2006 by shawn

119. "Its astounding that Kanye's people did not tell him he needed to talk to Evel about using this material."

Thats because he didnt, hun.

Posted at 4:10AM on Dec 14th 2006 by shawn

120. kanye----what an assh-le.arrogant no talent jerk.

Posted at 12:43PM on Dec 14th 2006 by lundy

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