Well, it happens to be so that Warren Miller sold his production company and the right to use his name (which could be considered a brand) to a company in 1985. This company is nowadays known as Warren Miller Entertainment (WME) even tough Miller himself is not involved in the company.
And that's where the shit hit the fan: WME has filed a Motion for Temporary Restraining Order prohibiting the release of Refresh. This Motion has been denied, but the legal fight continues as WME demands that Level 1 deletes all scenes containing Warren Miller or his footage.
In a statement released this week, Level 1 declares that is disappointing "that Warren Miller Entertainment would seek to put a stop to something that in all reality should serve to increase the reach and scope of the Warren Miller name, and in turn, the value of their own brand and films."
Fortunately, we're not able to comment on any of the legal issues (skiing is much more fun than law), but it's hard not to conclude that WME's frontal attack is more destructive than anything else. Killing the movie at the time of its release on a DVD market that is not exactly flourishing would be an extremely hard blow to Level 1. And at the same time it cannot expected that the release, or ban, of Refresh would impact on the sales of WME's latest film, Dynasty. One thing is for sure: WME is not getting any more popular in the freeski community...
Meanwhile, Level 1 has issued a call for help among the freeski community. Anybody that has video or audio recordings of any type (no photos) from before, during, or after the showing of the movie at IF3 is requested to contact Level 1 at kyle@level1productions.com.
Judgment is expected october 5th.
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