So this is a bit of ugly and unwelcome news, but it seems Level 1 Productions has been sued by Warren Miller Entertainment for trademark infringement, namely including Warren Miller's voice in their new movie Refresh. The 84-year-old Miller himself is no longer affiliated with the production company that bears his name. He sold the company in 1988, and in 1995 signed over "exclusive right, in perpetuity, in all media, to the name, the personal endorsement, use of voice and the likeness of Warren Miller."*

So that sucks, and there are a lot of unanswered questions out there that need to be asked. Was WME aware ahead of time that Warren was participating? Did they try to stop him? Did Level 1 keep them informed that Miller was participating? I'd like to hear the answers to those things before I get to editorial here, but I'll say this:

I can understand trying to protect your investments, that is one thing. It is a whole other thing all together to try and speciously claim that WME, as a result of this, is "irreparably injured and damaged." These scurvy assholes tried to get an injunction against the premier of Refresh in Boulder, for crying out loud! (Judge denied the motion) Have they no shame? Did they make a conscious business strategy to try and alienate every skier under the age of 30, or are they just fucking idiots?

I don't know what the standard of proof is for these things, but nobody will win: Berman will have to spend heaps of money to hire lawyers even if he does prevail on the merits of the case. And for what? What is gained by WME in this instance? Anyway, Berman will need some help with his legal bills, so go buy his movie: http://www.level1productions.com This whole episode sucks, it's just garbage.

*Did they ever watch the teaser TGR's Anomaly a couple years back? http://www.tetongravity.com/videos/Anomaly-Teaserforthe-Teaser-613501.htm