No More Zilla?

The name "Square-Zilla" was given to me by my square dance classmates when I first learned to dance. We were outside during a break, and I was talking very excitedly about something. One of my classmates said "Oh my God, I think we have created a monster" and another one replied "Yeah, Square-Zilla". The name stuck, and I have been Square-Zilla ever since.

The first version of my website contained an image I created of a lizard standing upright like a T-Rex dressed in cowboy boots and a scarf tie. I thought it was a clever image that went along with my nickname, and it was all in fun. On November 9, 2001, I received a letter from the law firm of Small Larkin, LLP, informing me that they represent Toho Co., Ltd, owners of the name "Godzilla", a registered trademark. The letter went on to say that my use of the "Zilla" portion of Toho's name, along with the use of a lizard-like image on my web-site might lead people to believe that the name "Square-Zilla" is somehow "associated with, authorized by, or sponsored by our client." They "asked" me to remove the image of the "GODZILLA character" (aka Square-Zilla).

They inferred that I had some sort of sinister plot to try and gain a business advantage by using someone else's trademarked name. As if, somehow, associating myself with Godzilla was somehow going to make people see me as a better caller or something. I can't think of anything less likely or more ridiculous. The letter even repeatedly referred to my "Square-Zilla" image as the "GODZILLA character". I drew that image, by hand, using the line drawing functions of word-processing program called Framemaker. I was very proud of how well it turned out, and later converted it from eps to jpg, and colorized it. Now I am not going to be allowed to use it.

So, for those of you who might have been brain-dead enough to think that a square dance caller is somehow "associated with, authorized by, or sponsored by" a company in Tokyo that makes monster movies, here is my disclaimer:

"Square-Zilla Calling", a registered business name in the state of Oregon, and "www.squarezilla.com", a domain name owned by "Square-Zilla Calling" and registered with the Inter-NIC, are in no way associated with, authorized by, or sponsored by Toho Co., Ltd of Tokyo, nor any of it's products, trademarks, or service marks, including, but not limited to, "Godzilla" or any other motion picture monster.