The creators of the hit crime drama "Better Call Saul" on Monday won the dismissal of a defamation and trademark infringement lawsuit by Liberty Tax Service for depicting a shady fictional tax firm that appeared to resemble its own.
Gardephe said Liberty Tax offered no "particularly compelling" allegations that viewers would be confused into thinking Sweet Liberty was one of its more than 2,500 offices.
"Better Call Saul" starred Bob Odenkirk as Saul Goodman, a corrupt lawyer also known as Jimmy McGill.
Peter Siachos, a lawyer for Liberty Tax, said his client will explore its legal options, including an appeal or refiling the lawsuit in a state court.
Both said their use of Sweet Liberty was protected by the U.S. Constitution's First Amendment.
Persons:
Bob Odenkirk, Saul, Paul Gardephe, Gardephe, Liberty, Saul Goodman, Jimmy McGill, Goodman, Craig, Betsy Kettleman, Rosa Parks, Parks, Peter Siachos, Jonathan Stempel, Rami Ayyub
Organizations:
REUTERS, Monday, Liberty Tax Service, U.S, District, AMC Networks, Sony Pictures Television, Liberty Tax Services, Liberty Tax, Liberty, Court, Southern District of, Thomson
Locations:
Los Angeles , California, U.S, Manhattan, New Mexico, Virginia Beach , Virginia, Southern District, Southern District of New York, New York