Dangerfield, Internet Firm Settle Case

After claiming he was digitally dissed by an Irvine-based Internet provider, Rodney Dangerfield got some respect.

The 76-year-old comedian and Epoch Networks Inc. agreed to settle their dispute last Friday, 10 days before the matter was to go before an arbitrator.

Dangerfield, who claims to be the first entertainer to have a Web site, sued Epoch last year for $2.8 million, alleging that the company had misappropriated his image for its gain.

Terms of the settlement were not disclosed, but Dangerfield said he was pleased.

“Let’s just say that I feel like I’m finally getting the respect I deserve,” Dangerfield said in a statement released through his attorney, Kevin Leichter. “For once, I got what I wanted out of a lawsuit. And I hope the lawsuit and the settlement send a message to everyone on the Internet that the system works and can protect celebrity rights.”

Epoch did not return calls for comment.

According to Dangerfield’s complaint, filed in U.S. District Court, the comedian entered into an agreement with Epoch in 1995 to design and maintain a Web site to showcase his material.

Dangerfield decided not to sell advertising on the site, but last year noticed a banner ad for Microsoft on the Web page, according to the suit. Dangerfield and his wife later learned that Epoch had allowed earlier ads from Ford Motor Co., Life magazine, Visa and others without notifying or compensating the Dangerfields, the lawsuit said.

One ad featured hard-core interactive pornography from a firm called Sassy-Sex.

The suit also alleged that Epoch used Dangerfield’s name, image and Web site without permission in its news releases and promotional materials.

When the suit was filed, Epoch declined requests for an interview, but released a statement calling the allegations “meritless” and accusing the comic of owing it several months worth of fees.

Dangerfield has since moved his Web site, https://www.rodney.com, to another Internet provider.