The next time someone questions you for making a “Star Trek” citation in real life, you can point out that it was good enough for the Texas Supreme Court.
In the recent case of “Robinson v. Crown Cork and Seal” the high court in Texas cited Mr. Spock and “The Wrath of Khan” in its decision.
Here’s what was said (courtesy of the SFWA):
Appropriately weighty principles guide our course. First, we recognize that police power draws from the credo that “the needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few.” Second, while this maxim rings utilitarian and Dickensian (not to mention Vulcan21), it is cabined by something contrarian and Texan: distrust of intrusive government and a belief that police power is justified only by urgency, not expediency.
See STAR TREK II: THE WRATH OF KHAN (Paramount Pictures 1982). The film references several works of classic literature, none more prominently than A Tale of Two Cities. Spock gives Admiral Kirk an antique copy as a birthday present, and the film itself is bookended with the book’s opening and closing passages. Most memorable, of course, is Spock’s famous line from his moment of sacrifice: “Don’t grieve, Admiral. It is logical. The needs of the many outweigh . . .” to which Kirk replies, “the needs of the few.”
Dave in NY says
Awesome! Does that mean they can appeal on the basis of Star Trek III? Where the needs of the “One” outweighed the needs of the many?
kurt_eh says
Litigate lots, and profit!
Ashe says
Knowing how litigation happy the RIAA and MPAA have been in recent years, I wonder if the MPAA will try to sue the Texas Supreme Court for Copyright Infringement in citing the film!