The famed test pilot and sound-barrier-breaker continues to obtain courtroom traction for some debatable legal theories: “U.S. District Judge Frank C. Damrell dashed AT&T’s hopes of avoiding a trial in a decision that inexplicably grants a historic achievement the same legal protection as an artistic work or a consumer product.” [Matthew Heller, On Point News; earlier here and here]
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Sounds like Mr. Yeager is looking for a creative way to control the rights to the use of his image/likeness for either later sale or as a means of protecting his public image (which of course the best way to do this is just not screw around; just ask Tiger).
However, his notariety is largely gained from his work as a public employee in the armed forces, the bulk of his “historic achievement” is itself in the public domain, since it is no longer classified.
Chuck Yeager now joins junket “scientist” John Glenn in my pantheon of unappreciative, ego-maniacal ex-heroes.