| Author |
Message |
GPFontaine
Joined: Dec 06 2007
Location: Connecticut
Posts: 11244
|
I find it hard to believe that this story is true, but it appears to be.
http://www.thinkgeek.com/blog/2010/06/officially-our-bestever-cease.html
The National Pork Board owns the trademark "The Other White Meat"
When ThinkGeek created an April Fools joke claiming that their fake product "Canned Unicorn Meat" was "The New White Meat" a cease and desist letter was drafted by the NPB and sent to ThinkGeek's parent company demanding that the trademark not be infringed upon.
As per the old saying, any publicity is good publicity, this is certainly not hurting the NPB, so it was probably a good move on their part. Still, to get this hyped up about an April Fools joke about Unicorn meat? WTF...
|
|
|
   |
|
|
SoldierHawk
Moderator
Title: Warrior-Poet
Joined: Jan 15 2009
Location: San Diego, CA
Posts: 6113
|
Oh good grief. I can believe they own the copyright on that, but I CANNOT believe they have enough time on their hands to bother going after a photoshop joke.
I mean really. This is protected under parody/satire anyway. 
|
 
| William Shakespeare wrote: |
| Love all, trust a few, do wrong to none. |
|
|
 |
|
|
username
Title: owner of a lonely heart
Joined: Jul 06 2007
Location: phoenix, az usa
Posts: 16135
|
there a National Pork Board?
|
| Klimbatize wrote: |
| I'll eat a turkey sandwich while blowing my load |
|
|
   |
|
|
GPFontaine
Joined: Dec 06 2007
Location: Connecticut
Posts: 11244
|
|
|
|
|
Knyte
2010 SLF Tag Champ*
Title: Curator Of The VGM
Joined: Nov 01 2006
Location: Here I am.
Posts: 6749
|
You trademark slogans, not copyright them. Copyrights are for completed works. Trademarks are for slogans, company names, logos, etc.
However, it is pretty funny, and kinda sad that there are lawyers out there who spend all day scouring the internet for people infringing on the "The Other White Meat" tradmark violations.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Syd Lexia
Site Admin
Title: Pop Culture Junkie
Joined: Jul 30 2005
Location: Wakefield, MA
Posts: 24886
|
Isn't parody a protected form of free speech? And hasn't the "the other white meat" joke been done a million times?
|
|
|
|
|
|
UsaSatsui
Title: The White Rabbit
Joined: May 25 2008
Location: Hiding
Posts: 7565
|
This seems silly, but ask the people behind Aspirin and Xerox what happens when you don't aggressively defend your trademark: You lose it.
I mean, come on, this isn't even the dumbest trademark case out there.
My personal "favorite" is The Olympic Games vs the makers of the Legend of the Five Rings card game. L5R had to change it's logo, which was on all the card backs, because the IOC holds trademark over any design with five interlocking rings. Nevermind that the two designs looked nothing alike...
| Syd_Lexia wrote: |
| Isn't parody a protected form of free speech? |
Parody is a form of fair use, which applies to copyright issues, not trademark ones.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Syd Lexia
Site Admin
Title: Pop Culture Junkie
Joined: Jul 30 2005
Location: Wakefield, MA
Posts: 24886
|
I'm going make myself well-known for the phrase "Not Guilty!" then sue everyone else who tries to use it, because it's my trademark.
|
|
|
|
|
|
HarkatMulds
Title: Harkat
Joined: Jun 05 2010
Location: Massachusetts, USA.
Posts: 18
|
Wow. This freaking made my day. I mean, "Canned Unicorn Meat: The Other White Meat" and "The Other White Meat", I can understand the need for caution, but sending a 12 page letter? Wow. And suing is also a bit... Over the edge.
|
Pitiful Heartless...
Minlessly collecting Hearts...
The rage of the Keyblade releases those hearts...
They gather in darkness...
Masterless and free...
Until they weave together to make...
Kingdom Hearts! |
|
|
|
|
Lady_Satine
Title: Head of Lexian R&D
Joined: Oct 15 2005
Location: Metro area, Georgia
Posts: 7287
|
|
"Life is a waste of time. Time is a waste of life. Get wasted all the time, and you'll have the time of your life!" |
|
|
|
|
aeonic
Title: Sporadic Poster
Joined: Nov 19 2009
Location: Kissimmee, FL
Posts: 2747
|
Those boys take their pork real serious! I think a lot of trademark laws allow for some serious abuse by fartbags like the NPB, the Olympics, or the case in where Todd Macfarlane (one of my least favorite people) threatened to sue Kevin Siembieda and Palladium Publishing because the game they produced, Nightspawn, sounded too much like his character's name, Spawn. Mind, to avoid a suit, Palladium changed it to Nightbane, but luckily, I got my hands on one of the original Nightspawn books. I'm just glad Neil Gaiman won his lawsuit against Macfarlane. I hate that guy.
|
Who likes role-playing games? Me. Way too goddamn much. |
|
|
|
|
The Opponent
Title: Forum Battle WINNER
Joined: Feb 24 2010
Location: The Danger Zone
Posts: 3495
|
| lordsathien wrote: |
http://www.thinkgeek.com/blog/2010/08/warning-may-incite-swat-teams.html?cpg=138T&image
In related thinkgeek news, be careful where you carry that samurai sword umbrella. |
My brother has one of those. He's never had any trouble with it.
|
I'm not a bad enough dude, but I am an edgy little shit. I'll do what I can. |
|
|
|
|
UsaSatsui
Title: The White Rabbit
Joined: May 25 2008
Location: Hiding
Posts: 7565
|
I honestly don't see the need for a SWAT team, but come ON, if you're carrying something around that looks like a weapon, expect some trouble with the local law enforcement.
|
|
|
|
|
|
GPFontaine
Joined: Dec 06 2007
Location: Connecticut
Posts: 11244
|
Good evening officer, I appologize for being rude, let me take off my cap
This is all just a big misunderstanding. You see, I was just visiting my girlfriend.
I walked back from my car in the rain
Look here are my keys, I drove back from class..
During the class I gave a power point presentation I keep on my usb drive
That I hook through my USB hub
Connected to my laptop
And presented using my laser pointer
|
|
|
|
|
|
Doddsino
Joined: Oct 01 2009
Posts: 5316
|
Is "The Other Other White Meat" trademarked?
|
|
|
|
|
|
Lady_Satine
Title: Head of Lexian R&D
Joined: Oct 15 2005
Location: Metro area, Georgia
Posts: 7287
|
In campus security's defense, there WAS a previous incident involving a proper katana 7-8 months prior to that event.
|
"Life is a waste of time. Time is a waste of life. Get wasted all the time, and you'll have the time of your life!" |
|
|
|
|
|
|
