Turtles topic of federal lawsuit

CLOVIS — Moments after Marc Anthony Baca led a chant of "turtle power" to pump up the crowd, individuals wearing costumes nearly identical to those popularized by the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles took the stage at the Clovis Comic Con on Saturday.

They were introduced by their character names Leonardo, Michelangelo, Donatello and Raphael — though only two characters were actually present.

Baca, organizer of the event, has faced legal action from Viacom, which purchased the rights to the franchise in 2009, for his past use of the Ninja Turtles likeness and elements of their movies and shows including the catch phrase "turtle power."

According to a complaint filed on Feb. 2 in U.S. District Court, Baca has repeatedly infringed upon Viacom's intellectual property rights through the "Ninja Turtles Live Action Parody" show put on by Baca and his non-profit Guardian Anti-Bullying Campaign, LLC.

Baca told The News on Saturday that "70 to 80 percent" of the parody show in question — performed at Sandia Elementary School in Clovis on Friday — is based around an anti-bullying message. But Viacom's complaint alleges that the Ninja Turtles themselves are the focus of the parody show, rather than any anti-bullying message.

Baca said the initial shows he and his company put on likely did violate Viacom's copyright, but he felt the re-worked version with different character names he began using a few years ago in the parody show met the qualifications for parody. He said he was "walking a fine line," but believes he's resolved the issue.

A hearing is scheduled for Nov. 27 in U.S. District Court in Albuquerque.

Clovis' Comic Con wrapped up its two-day event Saturday. Organizers said about 400 people were in attendance at Clovis Civic Center.