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Don't Say 2012 Olympics Unless You've Paid Your Licensing Fee
from the IP-gone-mad dept
The Olympics are notorious for getting local governments to grant them extra special intellectual property rights that go so far beyond what's reasonable (and local existing laws) that it's become something of a pure mockery of the concept of intellectual property. Remember how non-sponsored brands found in and around the Olympics in Beijing were covered by tape? Well, that may be nothing compared to what's going to happen in London. Two years ago, we noted that the Olympics had convinced UK officials to create a special trademark law, just for the Olympics that gave special protections to a variety of terms relating to the Olympics, including 2012, games, gold, silver and bronze. Yes, if you were to say "reach for the gold in 2012" as part of any advertisement and you weren't an approved Olympic sponsor, you'd be breaking the law in the UK.
Even though this all happened two years ago, it appears that a variety of companies are waking up to how ridiculous this is. A marketing body in the UK has now released a report detailing how draconian the law is for marketers. The one thing that's still never been explained is why governments would grant these rights -- which go well beyond traditional trademark rights -- to the Olympics, which isn't exactly hurting for sponsors. What's wrong with applying traditional trademark law to the Olympics as well?
Even though this all happened two years ago, it appears that a variety of companies are waking up to how ridiculous this is. A marketing body in the UK has now released a report detailing how draconian the law is for marketers. The one thing that's still never been explained is why governments would grant these rights -- which go well beyond traditional trademark rights -- to the Olympics, which isn't exactly hurting for sponsors. What's wrong with applying traditional trademark law to the Olympics as well?
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To sweeten the deal
After all, these changes in law can be sneaked through with relatively little cost to the government and it translates into extra cash for the olympic committee (i wonder where it all goes...)
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Re: To sweeten the deal
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Apparently the money
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You must have a Gold Account to read this post.
Sale of intangibles. It's the way to go!
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Re: You must have a Gold Account to read this post.
You can read about it on wikipedia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Legend_of_the_Five_Rings#International_Olympic_Committee
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Re: Re: You must have a Gold Account to read this post.
http://l5rshop.com/images/l5r_old.jpg
And a link to the "World Intellectual Property Organization" page: Summary of the Nairobi Treaty on the Protection of the Olympic Symbol (1981).
<sarcasm>Yeah, I can see how that could possibly be confused with the actual Olympic symbol.</sarcasm>
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Re: Re: Re: You must have a Gold Account to read this post.
You have valid points, but be careful to ensure you have the triplicate forms on hand with proper approvals for use that Sarcasm tag.
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I stopped watching when they went to the every other year format.
These games need to be non-profit (I don't think they make a profit anyway) and all reporting needs to be free and open.
Anyone who can see or participate in an event should be able to report on it. I'd go so far as to say they should ban pro athletes again, but we know that won't happen.
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Re:
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i said
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one million ways to spell viagra
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Getting in trouble
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Work around
"reach for the Au in MMXII"
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Re: Work around
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Re: Work around
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burn my passport
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No 20
I know some jewellers are going to try and sell us our own 2012 gold. I wonder how they will market that.
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FTFY
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I'm breaking the law
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