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judith_sThis may be too esoteric a joke to be enjoyed by anyone not a lawyer, but it amused me to no end today.
So the Republican National Committee has a registered trademark on the elephant with three stars in it, and the "GOP" name. They sued CafePress, which allows various folks to design their own items, for the use of these trademarks.
When Politico, a political blog, pointed this out and the blogosphere started picking up the story, the RNC settled. But HOW did they settle?
They settled by allowing everyone to continue selling their products, except vendors whose designs consist solely of the trademarked elephant logo or the initials “GOP” without any other expressive elements. Those without such expressive elements will have to go through the RNC's licensing process.
To clarify, if your products only said Yay GOP or have the elephant, you have to get a special license. If your product includes the elephant with a red slash, or a comment that says "The GOP Sucks!" that's additional expressive elements. So, critical of the RNC? No problem, you can continue selling. Pro-GOP and wanting simply to express your appreciation for the Republican party? Please jump through licensing hoops.
I really hope they continue this level of idiocy through the election season.
So the Republican National Committee has a registered trademark on the elephant with three stars in it, and the "GOP" name. They sued CafePress, which allows various folks to design their own items, for the use of these trademarks.
When Politico, a political blog, pointed this out and the blogosphere started picking up the story, the RNC settled. But HOW did they settle?
They settled by allowing everyone to continue selling their products, except vendors whose designs consist solely of the trademarked elephant logo or the initials “GOP” without any other expressive elements. Those without such expressive elements will have to go through the RNC's licensing process.
To clarify, if your products only said Yay GOP or have the elephant, you have to get a special license. If your product includes the elephant with a red slash, or a comment that says "The GOP Sucks!" that's additional expressive elements. So, critical of the RNC? No problem, you can continue selling. Pro-GOP and wanting simply to express your appreciation for the Republican party? Please jump through licensing hoops.
I really hope they continue this level of idiocy through the election season.
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(no subject)
Date: 2008-07-22 02:10 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2008-07-24 08:18 pm (UTC)I'm sure someone would be willing to argue that "Yay GOP" does add an expressive element, as would a picture of the GOP elephant with an exclamation point. But who would want to sell something like that?
Hrm..."Love me, love my [GOP Elelphant]" would probably make a pretty good t-shirt or bumper sticker...