It's not very often the tiny town where I grew up makes national headlines. But recently, the town of Independence, KS, in the far southeastern corner of the state, became entwined in an ugly lawsuit.
There is a little museum, school house and post office just outside of Independence, KS, on the homestead where Laura Ingals Wilder once lived. It is a place hundreds of children tour every year, many of them doing so as part of a school field trip. They learn about Laura Ingals Wilder, and about her stories depicted first in a series of books, and then made into a television series.
Now, a California production company claims to own the rights to the phrase, "Little House on the Prairie".
Friendly Family Productions, the maker of the television series based on the best-selling book, filed a lawsuit last week in federal court in Los Angeles against Little House on the Prairie Inc., a nonprofit group that runs a small museum on a farm outside Independence. The suit claims trademark infringement, unfair competition and trademark dilution.
On the surface, this might seem like just another story where a large company comes in and pushes the "little" guy around. Except this time, the "little" players happen to have some clout.
The owners of the Little House on the Pairie in southeast Kansas happen to be Jean Schodorf and her brother, perhaps you've heard of him, Bill Kurtis.
His bio starts off (and it works best if you read this in a deep, dramatic, Bill Kurtis-esque voice)...An acclaimed documentary host....and producer.....network and major market news anchor....and multimedia production company president...
Bill and Jean grew up in Independence and are wholeheartedly invested in the community there.
Ms. Schodord is quoted in the Star's article as saying, "It is so sad that the Friendly Family Productions company of the 'Little House on the Prairie' TV show feel they have to sue the real little house on the prairie."
Just as with any story, there are two sides:
The New York attorney representing Friendly Family, said in a statement Monday that the children of television producer Ed Friendly... had spent months trying to reach an agreement that would benefit the museum and protect the family's intellectual property rights.
According to Schodorf, the production company claims the museum makes about $90,000 year, which she says covers expenses and salaries.
"We are a nonprofit. We barely make ends meet," she said.
She's planning to try and raise money to fight the firm in court.
And, you can be sure, Mr. Bill Kurtis will be assisting wholeheartedly with that fight.