Friday, May 11, 2007

Copyright is so broken right now....

You know, I'm getting really pissed about the way big companies are trying to screw little people with their our lawyers will make mincemeat out of you - because we can tactics.

Here's yet another fine example. A pub in the UK (the Tan Hill Inn) has an item on its menu called the Family Feast. It's only available on Christmas, but KFC decided this was copyright infringement and sent a law firm after them to cease and desist. Come on!

I don't think companies should be allowed to trademark or copyright English words out of context. If you want to protect Family Feast, you should only be able to protect it with your company name in front of it (or part of it in some fashion). Did you know that the folks running the Vancouver Winter Olympics in 2010 are trying to convince the Canadian government to pass legislation that would protect the words winter, gold, silver, bronze, sponsor, Vancouver, Whistler, 2010, tenth, medals, and games from businesses who would try to fraudulently associate themselves with the Olympics. Give me a break! Nobody should be allowed to claim the rights to simple words. You want to protect The Olympics? Fine. But use your heads people.

It turns out that KFC backed down from their demand, but how many of you wanna bet it's because of the growing backlash and publicity?

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