A: The U.S. District Court, Central District of California, recently dismissed a libel suit against Apple Computer brought by astronomer Carl Sagan. The judge, Lourdes G. Baird, wrote:
"Plantiff's libel action is based on the allegation that Defendant changed the 'code name' on its personal computer from 'Carl Sagan' to 'Butt-Head Astronomer' after Plaintiff had requested that Defendant cease use of Plaintiff's name ... There can be no question that the use of the figurative term 'Butt-Head' negates the impression that Defendant was seriously implying an assertion of fact. It strains reason to conclude that Defendant was attempting to criticize Plaintiff's...