Wellywood sign a no-go - US lawyers

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The proposed Wellywood sign is a violation of Hollywood's trademark, United States lawyers say.

People have branded it "tacky" and "visual pollution". Award-winning film-maker Taika Waititi says the thought of a permanent sign makes people "vomit a little in the back of their throats".

And now Wellington city councillors say they learned about it only through The Dominion Post.

Hollywood Chamber of Commerce president Leron Gubler yesterday said his lawyer had confirmed the proposal would violate the Hollywood sign trademark.

"We would hope that we would be hearing from the airport in Wellington to discuss the matter. I'm sure they had no idea the sign was trademarked."

He said he thought communities were better off creating something that symbolised their own community. "Recreating the Hollywood sign might be cute for a little while, but if you're going to leave it up there, you're better to do something that's unique."

However, Wellington Airport, which is paying for the sign to be erected on its land, remains firm, simply reiterating its one-line statement issued on Tuesday: "We are confident we will meet all our legal obligations in relation to the sign."

The proposal for a 3.5m-high sign has the support of film-maker Sir Peter Jackson, who suggested copying the Hollywood sign and said the idea was a combination of tongue-in-cheek humour and pride in Wellington's film industry.

Waititi, whose film Boy is due for release soon, said the idea was fine as a short-term installation for the film festival or other such event. "But the prospect that this thing could be sitting there for 30 years is probably what makes people vomit a little in the back of their throats."

Councillor Andy Foster said ward councillors, at least, should have been advised of the plans in advance, but they were not.

He said the councillors he had spoken to were largely unimpressed by the idea.

- © Fairfax NZ News