After weeks of legal chaos, it looks like the battle over Video Killed The Radio Star may finally be cooling down.
According to a new court filing on Tuesday, Bubba the Love Sponge (Todd Clem) and Woltz Films have reached a tentative settlement with Nick Bollea and Terry McCoy, who sued over the controversial Hulk Hogan sex tape documentary.
The update came via a notice of resolution filed in U.S. District Court, Middle District of Florida, confirming that all parties have agreed to a term sheet and are working toward a final written agreement.
“Bubba the Love Sponge Clem (‘Clemâ€) and Woltz Films, LLC (‘Woltzâ€) (collectively, ‘Defendantsâ€) hereby provide notice that the Parties have agreed upon a term sheet with settlement terms in an effort to resolve the dispute, globally, and are continuing with such discussions.â€
Though a final deal hasnâ€t been signed, both sides appear to be moving toward a peaceful resolution. The defendants also confirmed they wouldnâ€t oppose the plaintiffs†earlier request to extend their deadline to file an amended lawsuit while talks continue.
“Upon the Parties†execution of a written Settlement Agreement fully memorializing a resolution, the appropriate party shall file documents to dismiss this case.â€
The lawsuit was originally filed last month by Nick Bollea and Terry McCoy on behalf of the estate of Terry Bollea (Hulk Hogan), and it triggered a temporary restraining order that briefly halted the filmâ€s release. Despite the TRO, a lightly edited version of the film was screened in Tampa and later released on digital platforms.
The plaintiffs accused Clem of violating a 2012 settlement agreement, infringing on Hoganâ€s trademarks, and engaging in unauthorized use of copyrighted material. Clem fired back by calling the TRO “legally and constitutionally unsustainable†and insisting he had no control over the filmâ€s production or distribution.
“Clem has no creative control, no ownership interest, no distribution rights, and no exhibition rights for the documentary,†his legal team wrote at the time.
While the TRO was officially dissolved two weeks ago, the case itself was never dismissed—until now, it seems. If all goes according to plan, the paperwork to close this case could be filed shortly after a final agreement is signed.
So, is this the final chapter in the long, ugly fallout from the Hulk Hogan sex tape scandal? Bubba the Love Sponge is playing it cool for now—but with a settlement nearly locked in, the curtain may finally be closing on this legal drama.
Do you think the film should have been blocked, or was Bubba right to push forward under fair use? Please share your thoughts and feedback in the comment section below.
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