A Lawsuit About Nothing: Costanza v. Seinfeld
To fully appreciate this story, take a moment to find the “Seinfeld” theme on YouTube and let that iconic slap-bass line play in the background. (Fun fact: that bass line wasn’t actually played by a bass guitar.) Now, let’s dive into one of the most bizarre real-life legal cases inspired by the show about nothing: Costanza v. Seinfeld.
Seinfeld, known for turning the mundane into comedic gold, often featured ridiculous fictional lawsuits. Who can forget when Kramer transformed his apartment into a smoking lounge, only to develop a grotesquely disfigured face? Naturally, he turned to his attorney, Jackie Chiles, who gleefully proclaimed, “Your face is my case!”
But while Kramer v. Big Tobacco was a fictional legal battle, Costanza v. Seinfeld was very real. Michael Costanza sued Jerry Seinfeld, claiming that the character George Costanza was based on him—and that this amounted to an invasion of his privacy.
The Claim: “George is Me!”
In his lawsuit, Michael Costanza essentially stood before the court and declared under oath:
Look at George! He’s short, fat, bald, unlucky in love, and a professional underachiever.
Guess who that sounds like? Me!
Clearly, the character is based on me, and that’s humiliating!
Costanza’s argument was that Seinfeld had misappropriated his likeness, portraying him in a way that was damaging to his reputation. His claim? A cool $100 million in damages.
The Legal Breakdown
To succeed in a misappropriation of likeness case, a plaintiff must prove:
The use of their likeness was unauthorized.
Their name, photograph, likeness, or voice was used.
The use was for promoting a commercial product or service.
However, there’s an exception: this law doesn’t apply to works of fiction or satire. As the court put it, Seinfeld was a “fictional comedic presentation” and therefore not subject to these claims.
The Court’s Response: A Legal Mic Drop
The judge didn’t just dismiss the case—he took a comedic approach worthy of the show itself. The ruling stated: “Plaintiff was informed that his case was based on nothing. While a program about nothing can be successful, a lawsuit must have more substance.”
In the end, not only was the case dismissed, but both Michael Costanza and his attorney were sanctioned $2,500 for wasting the court’s time.
The Verdict? No Lawsuit for You!
While Seinfeld found humor in everyday life, this real-life courtroom drama proved that sometimes, truth is stranger (and funnier) than fiction. The takeaway? If you think you’re the inspiration for a beloved yet hapless TV character, maybe don’t sue—and certainly don’t confirm it under oath!