Loch Ness monster makes waves on Internet

Nessie, the Loch Ness monster, could end up in court as a legal battle looms over use of his or her name. Las Vegas film company RLP claims to have bought the rights to the name Nessie from Walt Disney animator Ken Anderson who wrote Nessie and the Little Blind Boy. A film based on the book and spin-off merchandise are in production.

A website on the Internet set up by the company uses the name the Official Nessie Fan Club. But Gary Campbell, president of the Inverness-based Official Loch Ness Monster Fan Club, has written to RLP theatening action: "Our lawyers have reviewed the American site and feel we would be successful in a legal action against the owners as the public might reasonably be confused into purchasing a product from them through misrepresentation."

RLP replied: "If we hear of you harassing anyone in association with Nessie and your supposed claim to the character, we will take legal action here in the United States and Scotland to stop you."