NEW YORK, Aug. 23 (UPI) -- Fox News lost its case alleging a book by liberal satirist Al Franken violated its trademark slogan "fair and balanced."
The case against Franken's book, titled "Lies and the Lying Liars Who Tell Them: A Fair and Balanced Look at the Right," was heard by U.S. District Judge Denny Chin in New York.
After listening to arguments for a half hour, the judge ruled Friday the lawsuit, which sought to halt the distribution of the book, was "wholly without merit, both factually and legally."
Franken did not attend the hearing, but later told CNN, "The irony upon irony of this lawsuit was great. First, Fox having the trademark 'fair and balanced' -- a network which is anything but fair and balanced. Then there's the irony of a news organization trying to suppress free speech."
In a written statement after the ruling, a Fox News spokeswoman said, "We respect the court's decision and we're evaluating our options."
