Crosscurrent hits Gore’s network

Minnesota Public Radio is suing an Internet television network co-founded by Al Gore, alleging the network’s alternative and amateur news reports interfere with MPR’s trademark.

The San Francisco-based network, Current TV, and the Minnesota Public Radio music station the Current are both transmitted via the Internet. MPR says the similar names creates confusion for potential consumers.

Current TV issued a statement saying that more than 300 U.S. business names use the word “current.” “We know of no consumers who confuse us with Minnesota Public Radio, and we can’t imagine that anybody ever would,” the statement said.