Aussie burger franchise defends use of Paul Hogan's famous hit film quote
The founder of an Australian burger franchise says he has every right to use one of Paul Hogan's famous lines from his hit film Crocodile Dundee.
The Hollywood star is suing Grill'd burgers for refusing to withdraw cutlery sleeves with the classic line he utters about his hunting knife.
The line "That's not a knife... that's a knife" has garnered legendary status since Mick "Crocodile" Dundee set foot in New York in 1986.
"We're a little nervous, a little star stuck and a bit apprehensive about the whole thing," Grill'd founder Simon Crowe said.
Hogan's lawyers say the burger chain's refusal to drop the line has left them no choice.
"We asked to meet with them, they refused. We asked to mediate with them, they refused," Hogan's lawyer Andrew Robinson said.
"And so we were left with no alternative but to commence the proceedings."
Hogan is seeking damages and an order forcing Grill'd to drop the knife, but Grill'd said it would love to strike a deal with the actor.
"It might even be we ask Hoges to partner with us and do something in this space, be it a Crocodile burger, a Crocodile Dundee Burger," Crowe said.
It's not the first time Hogan litigated to protect his hit film after winning an 1988 injunction against a company calling itself Dundee Country.
In that instance, the company featured a koala dressed like Mick Dundee.
Intellectual property lawyer Michael Bradley questions whether this case can be won in the same manner.
"Is that line a substantial enough part of that whole script to attract the law of infringement?" Bradley asked.
Paul Hogan has said any money awarded in damages from the case will go entirely to his charity Cure Cancer Australia.
