Austin Powers Loses Goldmember Appeal

The makers of the new Austin Powers film have lost their appeal against a ruling that blocks their use of the title Goldmember, according to reports.

The Hollywood Reporter said on Thursday that the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) denied New Line Cinema's wish to use the title.

The decision followed protests from producers of the James Bond movies.

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer and United Artists complained to the MPAA that the title was too close to Goldfinger, the 1964 Bond adventure.

MGM released a statement following the MPAA's decision: "We are gratified that the title issue has been resolved in our favour."

"We intend to vigorously protect our other intellectual property rights in this matter," it add.

New Line appealed to the MPAA after it ruled the title Goldmember inadmissible on 24 January.

That edict came when New Line failed to follow proper procedures after MGM and UA petitioned the MPAA to ban it.

And the petition meant New Line Cinema had already had to recall trailers and posters in the US and UK.

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The new movie is the third to feature Mike Myers' comic creation Austin Powers - a spoof British spy from the 1960s.

But this is not the first time the title of an Austin Powers film has caused a fuss.

Bond's producers unsuccessfully contested the title of Myers' last movie, The Spy Who Shagged Me - a spoof on 007 movie The Spy Who Loved Me.

Now that the MPAA has ruled against New Line, MGM and UA could view the victory as an opportunity to protest against content they find objectionable in the Austin Powers films.

New Line could still take legal action over Goldmember but is thought unlikely to do so because going through the law courts would take too long.

The third Austin Powers movie is due for release in the US on 26 July.

It features Myers in four roles, including that of the villain Goldmember.

Myers' creation first hit the big screen in 1997's Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery.

The movie, which also starred Elizabeth Hurley, was a modest hit, but built up a cult audience on video.

The sequel - The Spy Who Shagged Me - became one of the biggest box-office successes of 1999.

February 1, 2002

Copyright © 2002, British Broadcasting Corporation