An independent t-shirt seller (a lifelong Democrat and member of the military) began offering shirts, mugs, and other items with slogans targeting MoveOn.org:
- Move Away from MoveOn
- MoveOn.org NoFriend to Dems
- General Petraeus has done more for this country than MoveOn.org
All the proceeds from these products were being donated to the National Military Family Association charity.
In response, MoveOn.org sent a letter demanding the products be withdrawn because they violate trademark infringement. However, Jon Healey, an LA Times blogger, notes:
"Trademark law doesn’t confer monopoly rights over all uses of a registered phrase or symbol, however, and it wasn’t created simply to protect the trademark owner’s interests. Instead, it’s designed to protect consumers against being misled or confused about brands. The courts have repeatedly ruled in favor of parodies and critiques; that’s why www.famousbrandnamesucks.com doesn’t violate famousbrandname’s trademark. And most, if not all, of the items targeted by MoveOn were clearly designed to razz it, not to trick buyers into thinking they were the group’s products."Malkin reports that an army of MoveOn.org mockers has published a ton of stuff deliberately portraying MoveOn.org's logo, daring the far-left group to sue all of them.
Though Limbaugh, O'Reilly, and Savage have teams of lawyers and deep pockets to protect themselves from this dissent-silencing group, normal people aren't quite so fortunate. Only public pressure and awareness can help these small operators like this. Keep your eyes and ears open, and refuse to support any group that tries to stifle free speech.
There's my two cents.
1 comment:
Thank GOD! someone needs to slap MoveOn.com here is my two cents on the matter. That article is horrible. I am ashamed that it was even allowed to be published. GENERAL PETRAEUS OR GENERAL BETRAY US? I am an Iraqi War Veteran; I served under General Petraeus in the 101ST AIRBORNE Division my first tour. I cannot think of a better general to lead our troops in Iraq, and I KNOW that if he says something he means it. I know the situation in Iraq and we are making progress. Unfortunately Iraq is going to be a long haul I don’t see us getting out of Iraq 20-30 years down the road much less setting a time table. Look at Korea, we are STILL there; Iraq will be no different. Don’t knock a Great General for something that is inevitable.
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