Film critic Roger Ebert has announced that he is suing hitchhikers across the freeway and interstate system for violations of copyright. Several years ago, Ebert and his late partner, Gene Siskel, trademarked their famous "thumbs up" symbols.
"These people are getting rides in cars and saving on bus and airline fairs just because they raise their thumbs to passing motorists," said Ebert. "I believe that there ought to be some kind of licensing fee coming my way for use of my famous thumbs up."
On hearing of the lawsuit, Judge Walter Schneider became a victim of a second Ebert lawsuit by giving the news a thumbs down.
