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Naked Cowboy Sues CBS Over 'Bold and the Beautiful' Character, Report Says

By DNAinfo Staff on February 15, 2011 11:50am

By Jill Colvin

DNAinfo Reporter/Producer

MIDTOWN —The lawsuit-loving Naked Cowboy is back to his legal briefs, this time suing CBS for a character on the soap opera "The Bold and the Beautiful."

The Times Square mainstay, whose real name is Robert Burck, has reportedly filed a trademark infringement suit claiming the network skewered his reputation with a guitar-toting, skivvy-wearing character dressed up as a cowboy on episodes of the show, according to Adweek.

The suit claims that "Oliver," a recurring character on the show, is portrayed as a fool who acts in a "drunken and sexually charged manner" that ruins Burck's reputation, Adweek reported.

The network also reportedly purchased Burck's moniker in ad words on Google and YouTube to boost traffic.

Naked Cowboy, Robert Burck, has reportedly sued CBS for hurting his reputation.
Naked Cowboy, Robert Burck, has reportedly sued CBS for hurting his reputation.
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Flickr/helloleticia

"It's a blatant disregard for Mr. Burck's brand, which he has worked very hard on for the last 13 years come rain, sleet or snow," Todd Rubenstein, Burck's lawyer, told the trade magazine.

Burck is reportedly asking for $1.5 million in damages from the network.

CBS, however, seemed unconcerned about the lawsuit.

"We choose to respond with the bare minimum to the plaintiff's naked allegations," a CBS spokeswoman told the Daily News.

This is far from the first time Burck has turned to the courts.

Last summer, Burck filed another trademark infringement lawsuit against Sandy Kane, a 50-year-old former stripper who calls herself the Naked Cowgirl, for allegedly ripping off his Times Square act.

He also sued the Mars Inc. candy company for an ad depicting a blue M&M dressed in a cowboy hat and underwear.