Zagat’s 2003 survey calls the restaurant Schatzi on Main the "culinary
brainchild" of founder/co-owner Arnold Schwarzenegger. But when our
consumer group sued Schatzi to have the restaurant known as
Schwarzenegger’s terminate their junk faxing, the actor’s attorney shot
off an angry letter. It argued in 5 dense pages that we defamed Arnold
because Schwarzenegger no longer owned the joint, so we couldn’t be
terminating the junk faxes at "Schwarzenegger’s restaurant." But it’s
interesting. No one seems to have told the star gods, Zagat’s, the
media or even the people who run Schatzi’s Web site. Schatzi’s site
features a flashing Arnold and a link to his gubernatorial Web site.
But, nah, it’s not really Schwarzenegger’s restaurant.

Here’s what Martin Singer, the Gov’s bulldog litigator threatened after
recounting all our liability and demanding a settlement — showing the
law is truly a toy for men with as much money as Arnold.

"It is well known that my client is no stranger to litigation to
enforce his legal rights when he has been defamed. Mr. Schwarzenegger
has successfully pursued legal claims to seek redress for defamation
and false light invasion of privacy, the unauthorized exploitation of
his commercial persona, and for criminal conduct directed against him.
For example, you may be aware that my client successfully pressed
criminal charges against two paparazzi who acted outrageously in their
zealous pursuit of a story about him. And I presume that you are aware
that my client successfully sued for defamation after the Globe tabloid
published a false and defamatory article asserting that Mr.
Schwarzenegger was in the midst of a "heart crisis" when in fact he was
in excellent health…My client has also prevailed in litigation
arising from defamatory and tortious conduct occurring in Europe. I
hope that such litigation to protect my client’s rights does not once
again become necessary. Please govern yourself accordingly."

Here’s the kicker: The contents of the letter were not supposed to be
disclosed or we would be sued for breach of the Copyright Act — yes,
Singer claimed to Copyright the letter.

"This does not constitute a complete or exhaustive statement of all of
my client’s rights or claims. Nothing stated herein is intended as, nor
should it be deemed to constitute a waiver or relinquishment, of any of
my client’s rights or remedies, whether legal or equitable, all of
which are hereby expressly reserved. This letter is a confidential
legal communication and is not for publication. Any publication,
dissemination or broadcast of any portion of this letter will
constitute a breach of such confidence and a violation of the Copyright
Act, and you are not authorized to publish this letter in whole or part
absent our express written authorization."

Arnold needs to have as much respect for the legal rights, remedies,
and equitable relief of individuals and groups without as much money as
he. And, yes, we collected from Schatzi, including a pledge never to
junk fax again.