TEXAS A&M SUES DOUBLE AMPUTEE CANCER SURVIVOR SEC powerhouse orders lawsuit against handicapped Bills fan (Orchard Park, NY) - Texas A&M University ordered its legal team to file suit against a Buffalo Bills fan who accidentally infringed on the colleges trademark on a commonly used football phrase - even after learning the man had his arm and leg amputated and a recent bout with cancer. I cant afford to pay an attorney but their lawsuit could cost me between $50,000 and $500,000, Charles Chuckie Sonntag said. That pretty much wipes out my $800 monthly Social Security check for the rest of my life. Chuckie, who beat cancer last year, has suffered from polyostotic fibrous dysplasia - Albrights Disease - since childhood and lost his left arm 20 years ago. In March, doctors amputated his left leg. Recovering In his hospital bed, Chuckie and his close friends decided to do something to stop the NFL Bills from leaving Buffalo - and 12thManThunder was born. Established only two months ago, the idea took off and today is 10,000 Bills fans strong and growing. The groups efforts have given a voice to loyal Bills fans at a time when their team may be moved to another city. Even local businesses have rallied around the group to donate 10 Bills season tickets for the citys at-risk youth. My experience has proven two things: a handicapped person can accomplish just about anything - and Texas A&M will sue just about anybody, Chuckie said. On May 27th the University ordered its high-powered attorneys to demand Chuckie cease using the term 12th Man, asserting a trademark they won in 1989 for the widely-used phrase meaning fan support. Many high schools in the United States incorporate 12th Man language into their booster clubs, including the Altaloma Braves, Dana Hills Dolphins, Seneca Golden Eagles, Washington Panthers, Richwood Knights, Diamond Bar Brahmas, Fairfield Falcons, and Brentwood Bruins. Legally, Texas A&M could have moved on any of these groups or dozens more. Instead, on Monday, the University filed suit against a double amputee cancer survivor 1,500 miles away from College Station. By filing suit, the University exposes Chuckie to automatic fines and fees - even though he expressed a willingness to cooperate. At one point, they gave him 24 hours to hand over all Internet domain names he bought, the T-shirts he printed and many other items. With the help of friends, he changed the name of his group to BillsFanThunder and stopped infringing on the trademark as fast as he could. How am I supposed to comply with their demands so quickly? I cant even type that fast - I only have one hand, Chuckie said. Chuckie Sonntag is well known in Buffalo - for decades he has parked cars on the lawn of the small home he inherited next to the Buffalo Bills stadium. Unable to work, he devotes his time to helping two area non-profit organizations. He was honored this past weekend for surviving his bout with cancer during festivities at Roswell Park Cancer Institute in Buffalo. PHOTO: billsfanthunder/chuckie.jpg BROLL: vimeo/99491081
Posted on: Tue, 01 Jul 2014 15:35:44 +0000
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