The actor, Andy Griffith, who played the sheriff of the fictional town of Mayberry, N.C., has filed a case against a Wisconsin man that legally changing his name to Andrew Jackson Griffith in a failed attempt for a Grant County, Wisconsin post.

The lawsuit claims that William Harold Fenrick, 42, broke trademark and copyright laws, in addition to the actor Andy Samuel Griffith's privacy. Fenrick used his new name - Andy Griffith - to run for sheriff in southwestern Wisconsin.

The lawsuit goes on to say that Fenrick changed his name for the "sole purpose of taking advantage of Griffith's notoriety in an attempt to gain votes" and calls for him to go back to his former name.

The suit also adds that Fenrick should issue disclaimers and an apology in Grant County newspapers, confirming that he has no link with the actor.

"Now that the election is over, if Fenrick is willing in some fashion to clear the record, we probably could find a way to resolve it," said Griffith's lawyer, Jim Cole.

Fenrick counters that he did gain an advantage from the name change.

"During this campaign I never sold or profited even one nickel from the use of the name Andy Griffith or any item bearing the name Andy Griffith - everything was a promotional item, and everything was given away for free," he said.

Fenrick is a Platteville music store co-owner. He has spent $5,000 on his failed bid and decided on the name change as publicity for the elections.