These opinions were voiced by the visitors of this site and some various boards on the net in reaction to the article located here.
If you would like to voice your opinion on this matter, please send an e-mail to me at robin@kirkpatrick.nu and I will put it up.
The lawsuit as described in the article has got to be the most ridiculous thing I have ever read. It is so ridiculous... it's funny. To claim that Fu Man Skeeto and its association with NSync (who actually have nothing to do with Fuman Skeeto with the exception of Chris) had anything to do with the lousy sales that Fuman, Inc. have generated is preposterous and ludicrous. They need to be looking at their design and marketing teams first before blaming a company that is no longer in business. The apparel retail industry is in a real slump right now. So all retailers are on the boards trying to be more innovative and unique in order to increase sales. Suing a now-defunct company is a cheap and lazy attempt to "better" their image and to create a buzz around their name. I am a manager for a major retail company and business is difficult right now. There is a lot of competition in a sluggish economy. You just have to do better than the next guy and create a positive image to be successful. Showing your slimy low-down dirty side might generate short-term sales but it will never create a loyal customer base that will continue to buy.

I am confident that the lawsuit will be thrown out. I hope Chris knows that he has loyal supporters and fans behind him. Regardless of the outcome, Chris is a fighter and I'm sure he'll do something even more innovative and unique.
- Mynat45
Excuse my language but I want to fuck up some ones face! WTF! What the fuck is up with these stereotypical bastards? I Love Nsync Yeah, I am 15, female that may fit their description of a typical "nsync fan" yeah sure. BUT I DON'T Idolize Britney *flippen* Spears. And what's up with them saying crap like oh yeah Skaters and nsync fans are nothing alike the don't dress alike the don't listen to the same music.... OK For One , I Love skateboarding. I dress like a freaking punk And My CD collection consists of Mostly Punk and Hip Hop Music. And who says Females don't skate board? So Who the hell is to say you can't have the best of both FREAKING Worlds? RAWR, I will sue that bastard who wrote this damn article, Hell yeah I will gimme his address. I'll hit up my lawyer right freaking now!
- Chris
To The Orlando BizJournal:
I am writing to say I found your article "Culture clash takes center stage in suit" by Jill Krueger Staff Writer, badly researched, biased, and insulting.
Had Ms. Krueger investigated Fuman Inc. and Fugit skateboarding clothing line ( see http://www.fugit.com/FU%20shop.htm ) she would have discovered a clothing line in theory only. No actual clothing seems to ever had been available. In fact, when one of our members finally tracked down Fuman Inc. which she found unusually difficult although she had lived in Daytone/New Smyrna her entire life and had never heard of Fuman Inc. She looked in the phone book, in both residential and business, and couldn't find them there either. Most skateboard/surf shops here have huge billboards everywhere and commercials on the radio. Once she was able to find an address she went down to check them out and she found ~ quote "Fuman inc. is a small one man business. They don't sell clothes anymore, I don't think they ever did. They don't even sell skateboards and what not. They FIX skateboards. The two kids who run it (I call them kids, because they look pretty young to have their own business and start all of this crap) used to do the same work from their home. The store is extremely small, and its squished in between a quickie mart, and a hair salon. There isn't even a driveway. You park beside the building in grass."
Also, if your writer had investigated Fu Man Skeeto, she would have found most of our members are not 6 - 16 year old teeny's. As a member of the Fu Man Skeeto Community, and a grandmother....... I find the stereotyping rude. True, quite a few of our members enjoy Nsync, quite a few also enjoy Eminiem, Lifehouse, The Calling, Saves The Day, Mest, New Found Glory, The Juliana Theory, The Get Up Kids, The Strokes, The Hives, The Vines, John Mayer, Matt Nathanson, Jump, Little Children, Green Day, Limp Bizkit and many more too numerous to mention. The original Fu Man Skeeto board was run by Ryan O'Brian , now employed by MUCHMUSIC and Dave Daniels, a Tattoo, Pinup, and Computer Artist ~ hardly your "fresh-faced boy band" type. In fact in the rules of the original Fu Man Skeeto Community, it stated........ "First and foremost you must remember that this is also a web site in support of a business. Although the business is founded and operated by a member of *Nsync, this is not an *Nsync fan site or forum. Occasional discussion is welcome in the General Mayhem forum however, it would be best kept at a minimum. As well, being that this is a corporate site and forum, funded entirely by said company, it is best to keep in mind that the rules set forth by the Fu Man Skeeto Crew (i.e. Ryan [O'Brien], Dave [Daniels], Danielle [Raabe], Erin [Myles], and Chris [Kirkpatrick]) are written in stone." As far as skate boarders can't be Fu Man Skeeto fans, Dave Daniels once helped one member of our community with her graphic art so she could get a job at her local skate shop designing tee shirts~ huh. Fu Man Skeeto was a cutting edge creative arts and media company specializing in clothing design, the visual arts, and music production. Its mission was to express through products, be them clothing, apparel, graphic design or, music releases, a positive and uplifting message which resonated throughout every creation they released. The message? Believe in your dreams.

Fu Man Skeeto may be gone, but the community it began will live on and its members will continue to support each other, and original crew in all endeavors.

We STILL believe in our dreams. Our community lives on, and does not appreciate being described as "girls ranging in age from 6 to 16. They are highly fashion conscious, their natural habitat is the mall and they also tend to idolize Britney Spears."
One thing is correct. The solution will be expensive. Lozier's client would have to spend a fortune... a fortune informing anyone outside a 4 block area of their "headquarters" they even exist. Oh, they might want to actually offer products for sale too.
- k.laforge
I know a lot of people who listen to Nsync and also like to skateboars. I'm one of them, except I only watch skateboarding because it looks cool. They shouldn't stereotype Nsync fans like that.
- Kjfilipi
I can't believe they're bringing a lawsuit up about this. Fu Man Skeeto isn't even in existence anymore! And there's also a difference in names as well. One is Fuman and the other is Fu Man SKEETO. Not the same. And what's with the stereotyping? Not all skaters are boys who hate pop music. I skateboard and I like pop music like NSYNC. I hope this lawsuit gets thrown out of court. The person that brought it up is a selfish person who needs a good hard kick in the ass.
- Sara
One word....CRAP! This is a load of CRAP! Chris didn't do a DAMN thing to these people and here they are trying to go for the jugular. I'm obviously and *N Sync fan but I'm a fan of a lot of other types of music. You wouldn't beleive how many "types" of people show up at the guys' shows. I've seen tattooed, and pierced chicks and guys that you'd expect to NEVER set foot at a "teenybopper" show. But there they were, totally rocking out. This is a bunch of bull and I have a feeling that once the owners of Fuman Inc. see that exactly what they are up against, they'll go and cower in their corner. I hope they feel like complete idiots when they see for themselves that Chris had NO idea who these people even were! They are going to be the laughing stock of the skater community and news for quite a while when this is all over with. I'm not a mean person by nature but I cannot wait to "kick them while they are down" so to speak. Isn't that EXACTLY what they are doing to Chris? I think so. I think it's a slap in the face. "Oh your company failed, let's see how worse we can make this guy feel!" Well they've got another thing coming because if they think they are going to get away with this. They are oh so wrong!!! - Trisha
It appears to me that Fuman, Inc. is trying to 'get rich' quick. If they have had their line of clothes since 1980 whatever why wait 20 some years to file suit against someone who's clothes are selling better than theirs?

As far as stereotyping NSYNC fans with Fuman, Inc. fans---a huge load of crap!!! I love NSYNC and so do my two daughters. That's right. I am a mother of 3 who happens to be over 40 years of age. I do not skateboard, I hate the mall (I've been in our mall once in the last year), and I like different types of music---classical, jazz, blues, pop, metal, contemporary, etc.. I really enjoy NSYNC's music and respect them for all the hard work they put into their music. Not to mention all the charity work they do---some of which helps to promote music in shcools. Without learning the value of music in school, there wouldn't be some of the types of music there are today. Next you'll be hearing that Fuman,Inc. will sue the schools for cutting in on their business.

It really gripes me to see someone try to capitalize on something or someone when they know in their minds that their company is not all that great. Until now I have never heard of Fuman, Inc. and I hope I never have to hear about them again.

Keep the faith Chris----we are all behind you!!!
- Natalie
First of all, this goes deeper than just him stereotyping us. How dare they turn something that is so pity into something that is a major deal just because of they type of music Nsync makes. I don’t get it when people say that Limp Bizkit, Metallica, or Papa Roach changed their lives with their music and took them out of depression, and try to tell us that Nsync is not capable for doing that. To me, Nsync is more then a pretty face and a nice voice. One thing that Nsync taught me is self-confidence and to always follow what I believe in. I never got that from any other group.

Second, what the hell is punk anyway? All the "punk" people I’ve ever met have just been posers trying to look tough and cool with their Vans and Salvation Army shirts. I hate that word "punk" because it’s used all the time in the wrong ways. A "punk" to me is someone who is not afraid of who they are and not afraid to speak their mind. I don’t care if your wearing cut off Dickies or a pair of Gap khakis, if you go against conformity you are original in my book.

Third, where does it say that Nsync lovers had to shop at malls all the time and listen to music in the pop genre? Honestly, the only pop I listen to is Nsync and Britney Spears, other than that, I don‘t really listen to pop. I like Mest, Sugarcult, Weezer, Eminem, Ja Rule, Nelly, SOAD, and Lost Prophets. I even listen to Patsy Cline, John Lennon, STYX, and Aerosmith all the time. I love it all. I don‘t look at music and worry about what genre it‘s in. Music is music to me and I love it. Some I listen to more then others, but if I like it I’m gonna listen to it. If you "rockers" have a problem with this, then come to my house and take my CD’s and computer files.

Some people are just so closed-minded and don’t think that it’s ok to cross over. They think that you should just stick to one thing only. What the hell did I ever do to you "rockers" to prosecute me? I didn’t run over you dog, or shoot your cat! We live in America, the land of the free. We were just attacked and you are all worried about "teenyboppers" crossing over in your territory. How selfish and immature can you get? I understand that music is a big part in everybody’s life, it’s big in mine, for sure! This whole shit about liking Pop and Rock at the same time is stupid and I could honestly find you all something better to bitch about. I don’t even care about the lawsuit because it’s pity. I’m just pissed because of the ignorance and hatred towards my fellow Nsync lovers and I. If you want to hate us, try looking for something that really offends you, don’t hate us because we like a certain group. I don’t hate you for being ignorant. I just have to tell myself that you haven’t been taught yet.
- Jessica
My God, that is so annoying! Chris didn't steal anything from anybody! He worked so hard to get FuMan Skeeto the way that it is today, and now it's taken away from him because some skater guys wanna cause some problems and get some money that they THINK is theirs! Chris, I love you and your clothing line. I'm behind you 110%, and so are all the other Kirkpatrick/FuMan - fanatics!!!
- Amanda
Not only is that lawsuit a load of garbage, but it is also frivilous and basically a mute point as of now since Fu Man Skeeto is no longer in existence.

Furthermore, it is amusing to me that the owners of Fuman Inc. would not only generalize about their "target market" but also claim to be so intelligent as to be able to decide what NSYNC fans do and do not do and like and do not like, as reported by their attorney. "Skate boarders don't listen to 'N Sync music," Lozier says. " And 'N Sync fans aren't going to be intense about their skate boarding activities."

It is even more laughable that this suit seems to insult their own "target market" in a weak attempt to make their case by basically stating that their clients are not intelligent enough to know the difference between Fu Man Skeeto and Fuman Inc. even though they are seperate companies and entities altogether. "They have essentially destroyed the value of our client's property by associating with a band our clients would not be fans of," says Daniel R. Lozier, the Pensacola attorney representing Fuman Inc. If both "groups" are separate with separate interests, then there is no way that there could be any chance of confusing Fuman Inc. with that of Fu Man Skeeto, right?

As a seemingly non-typical NSYNC fan (I'm over 21 and not really all that into malls and fashion and other pronounced stereotypes) I can tell you that I am intelligent enough to know which products are Fu Man Skeeto (as I was a fan of the company and knew what to look for...) and which are not.

In addition, this suit is an attempt at a quick buck and to "stick it to" an NSYNC member, pure and simple.(But the solution will be expensive, warns Lozier."Our view is in order to undo this damage caused by worldwide marketing, our client would have to spend a fortune convincing the skateboard crowd that they are not 'N Sync culture," says Lozier. "Even the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office can't keep it straight.")

If it were so damaging and such a problem, then why did the lawsuit take so long to go forward? Isn't is extremely funny that is seems to be surfacing just now, when there is a rising backlash of pop music and a division between pop fans and "skaters"? How convenient....
- Melanie
As an *NSYNC fan born in 1978, and as the daughter of one born in 1943, I think I'll start by addressing the stereotypes in this article.

It states that *NSYNC fans are girls between the ages of 6 and 16 who would never even think of listening to rock, punk, or things those in the skater culture supposedly do.

Let me tell you this much. My favorite group is, indeed, *NSYNC. However, also among my all-time favorites are Aerosmith, Lenny Kravitz, and many other artists that this article would lead you to believe I've never heard of.

One of the most dedicated *NSYNC fans I know just happens to be my mother. She's definitely not between 6 and 16, and she's listened to enough artists to recognize Pop "fluff" a mile away (and avoid it).

Now, about the actual "legal" issue. It is obviously just another set of people who look at members of *NSYNC and see floating dollar signs.

Chris Kirkpatrick formed FuMan Skeeto with the intention of it being a haven for self-expression and individuality.

What is being a "skater punk" all about? It's about being yourself no matter what others think. It's about self expression and individuality.

Well, what do you know? Common ground.

Where the division obviously happens is in FuMan Skeeto's message of positive thinking and going for your dreams.

Apparently, the makers of the other Fu Man are far more content with being negative and kicking someone while he's down.

In short, this is clearly a way for some little label to get publicity, and it's just pathetic.
- Patricia
i find this BS i've never heard of "Fuman" and Fu Man Skeeto is gone now. i get mad when ppl try to sue famous for no good reason. Nsync fan range from different ages and ppl can skateboard as long as they want. so this is ALL BS!!!!!!
- Zgirl8008
OK this really pisses me off. First of all, I may be 13, but not all Nsync fans are 6-16, in fact most fans I know are over 16 and even some of my parents friends are Nsync fans (my moms a BSB fan but that has nothing to do with this). And I'm friends with at least 5 boys who are fans of Nsync as well who just happen to skateboard as well. Now the other reason is that I skateboard, I surf, I aggressive inline skate, and I wear boys blothes. I don't wear makeup, I'm not "fashion conscious" and I'm still a die hard Nsync fan. Just because you're a guy, older than 16, and do extreme sports does not mean you can't be an Nsync fan. The people over at Fu Man need to do so some research on Nsync fans because we are really a lot more than they think, Chris' line did not deserve to be closed down because of these idiots. Its stupid...two companys, two concepts, and two different names no matter how similar people think they are.
- BlueTacoDog89
Ok, I'm kinda at a loss for words here. Who said all NSYNC fans are girls? Girls between 6 and 16? Did they go to the last NSYNC concert I went to? If they did, what kind of glasses were they wearing cuz they obviously didn't see what I saw! Let's see, what all did I see? Oh yeah, I saw little girls and boys, teen girls and boys, 20-something men and women, 30-something men and women, 40-something men and women, every age bracket above that men and women, black people, white people, asian people, hispanic people, slim people, larger people, blond haired people, brunette haired people, red haired people, people with lots of other colors in their hair, handicapped people, punk people, skater people, pop people, country people, people who probably spent all day getting ready to go out for the night, people who probably spent 30 minutes to get ready, people! who traveled far from home. All these people have one thing in common! They wanted to see NSYNC. Now I can tell you that as a 26-yr old single mom who can't spend all day "living at the mall" cuz I have a real job, I only know of one label with "fu man" in it and that was Chris' line. I have never heard of the other label. Don't really care either.

It usually takes a lot to get me offended and I think that article just did. Where did the writer go to get their info? Did they hang out at the mall and only talk to those people who were there all day? In a place where what you look like, what you do, and what you listen to shouldn't matter, this reporter sounds like they had their mind made up before the article was finished.
- Claressa
I can't belive that Chris is getting sued... that is sooo wrong... he didn't even do anything!!
- Jill
Two different names, two completely different styles. Right? Why does Fuman think that Fu Man Skeeto is going to ruin their business? How many "skaters" are you going to see buying Fu Man Skeeto clothes? Hardly any, because as stated, "skaters" are usually boys ages 14-18. Fu Man Skeeto was mostly a girls line. I don't know of a store around here that had Fu Man Skeeto, so I don't know how much guy stuff they had, but from what I've heard and seen on the site, it's not very much.

Yes, skaters music might clash with the music Fu Man Skeeto's OWNER produces. But what does that have to do with anything? The names Fuman and Fu Man Skeeto aren't the same. It's easy to see the difference between the two. Besides, what skater is going to walk into Bloomingdale's, Nordstrom or Eaton's and pick up a piece of Fu Man Skeeto clothing? As I can see most skaters order their clothes out of magazines from skateboarding companies. There are a lot of skaters with the skateboarding companies logo's on the front of their shirts. But never, have I seen a skater wear Fu Man Skeeto. So why do they think that Fu Man Skeeto is ruining their Fuman line?

Just a fact, Fu Man Skeeto is not in business anymore. It hasn't been for a while now.

And one more thing, I hate how no one gives Nsync fans credit. Lots of people like music. Were not all young little teenyboppers with the pictures covering our walls. I know people that are in their 30's who like Nsync's music. And what in the hell makes them think that we all idolize Britney Spears!? It's one thing to categorize people. I mean, lots of people say Nsync fans are teenyboppers. It's another thing to try and make someone look like something they aren't. (Fashion conscious? Living at the mall? Britney Spears?) Oh, please.

Yes this is basically a bunch of crap. Where did it even come from?
- Jaime
Skateboarders so can like Nsync! My best friend, he is a skateboarder he wears the clothes, and listens to punk and alternative rock music. But I also know that he has every nsync single ever released. And he also is a huge Britney fan! Then there's me, im a 15 year old girl who is a major skateboarding fanatic, I love skateboarding, dressing like the boarders and listening to that type of music. But does this mean I can't like nsync? NO! I love nsync, they are talented and I idolise them...especially Chris. So get your facts straight FUMAN or what ever company you think you are. The FuMan Skeeto spirit will always stay alive and you cant judge all teenagers in the world! Skateboarders can be 'POP' fans!
- XxKirkyBabyxX
i don't know about u, but i'm outraged about how they stereotyped *NSYNC fans. i agree with what one person said about the stupid business moguls being immature. they can't speak for everybody when they group *NSYNC fans with skaters. maybe it's just me, but have u ever heard of this "fuman" company? most of my guy friends r skaters and they never mention anything about this company. i've never heard of them until i read the article. obviously they've never heard chris' side of the story cuz he has absolutely nothing to do with this "other" company. i honestly think that "other" company needs to get a life and not blame people for the the reason why they're not successful.
- Steph
let me just say my god, how arrogant can these people be? "skater culture is not nsync culture?" "skaters are never NSYNC fans?" can they stereotype people any more bluntly than that? not every skater hates nsync and not ever nsync fan is a 14 year old girl...all im gonna say to the owners of Fuman, Inc. is GROW UP!! stereotyping is a behavior that we all shouldve grown out of after high school...now if business fell off for them after Chris opened his clothing line, let me just say IM SO SORRY you wont be making your hundreds of thousands of dollars every month anymore...let me just give you soooo much pity. this is a pathetic excuse for a lawsuit and the reasoning behind it is as childish as the people filing it...i pity a world were "grown up, adult business owners" are afforded the infantile luxury of stereotyping not only their ! own customers but also the rest of the world's population i hope the owners of Fuman, Inc. see this letter someday and think from an objective viewpoint about how immature theyve made themselves look...if not with the lawsuit itself, than with their reasons for filing it.
- JCzDrivinMeCrazy