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Playmobil Is Upset That Its Pirate Figures Have Been Used To Illustrate The Pirate Party
from the too-flipping-bad dept
Playmobil, makers of the rather popular little toy people that many of us had as kids, has a bit of a history of being over aggressive when it comes to what it thinks you're allowed to do with the toys you've purchased. A few years ago, we wrote about how it sued over an "unauthorized" use of the toys to depict violent scenes. It seems its latest complaint is with the fact that its pirate figures have been used in photos describing The Pirate Party:
The company sent a letter to the German Pirate Party declaring that it was a "politically neutral toy," and indicating a concern that the toy should be associated with the party. As the Pirate Party responded, those who purchased such figures should have the right to then do with them as they wish, considering they are their property. They also noted that they have not used the figures for "marketing," and no one would assume that Playmobil the company had specifically endorsed the party. Thankfully, the company has indicated that they don't see any reason to take this issue any further, such as by commencing legal action, but merely the decision to raise this suggests a company that believes it has much more control over toys that it sold than it really does.
In the meantime, if Playmobil does not want to be associated with the Pirate Party, perhaps it shouldn't sell Pirate Party Cups.
In the meantime, if Playmobil does not want to be associated with the Pirate Party, perhaps it shouldn't sell Pirate Party Cups.
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Anywho, What I'm wondering is, if I purchase a treasure chest from Playmobil, is there a EULA that tells me what I can and can't do with them upon purchasing them? How am I supposed to know what the 'license' associated with those toys permits?
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ZOMG!
You understand you made a toy based on pirates.
People who robbed, raped, pillaged, murders, and many other not so good things... and your worried about them being associated with a political group that some people don't think well of...
*boggle*
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oh OH!!!!!
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We should praising Playmobil
I am not being sarcastic.
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Re: We should praising Playmobil
The fact they didn't yet try to use the courts is immaterial to the actions taken.
It is stupid to try and control things you sold.
There are limits to what those people can do and trying to exert influence on sold goods is just not acceptable and should never be acceptable else you find yourself being target by apparel, auto, electronics and so forth targeting others for the same idiotic reasons.
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Re: We should praising Playmobil
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Re: Re: We should praising Playmobil
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The Pirate party's attitude toward property cuts both ways
The problem with the Pirate Party's view about intellectual anarchy is that it's, well, lacking in any useful structure. If they feel that anyone can use a logo or an artistic creation for their own purposes once they purchase it, what's to stop someone from taking some Pirate Party logo swag and wearing it while burning down some hospitals? Or just wearing it while causing mayhem and then putting it on posters. Agent provocateurs do this kind of crap all of the time and it's perfectly okay in the land of intellectual anarchy embraced by the Pirate Party.
We've watched political candidates eat crow after they use some song by an artist with opposite political views. Everyone gets bent out of shape.
There are many advantages to giving the creator the right to control how their items/songs are used. It generally adds clarity to the debate.
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Re: We should praising Playmobil
Their action of not taking retarded copyright actions I give them props for that. I'm glad they could see a copyright case would turn them into a laughing stock.
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Re: The Pirate party's attitude toward property cuts both ways
Get a grip man, I know you can do it. Just hunker down, chill out and put on some Allman Brothers.
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Re: Re: We should praising Playmobil
If the public responds with the same ridicule when a company says, 'I don't like that,' as when a different company says, 'I am suing over that,' what incentive does a company concerned with its image have not to sue? We should encourage companies to manage their images via public statements rather than through the courts, even if we disagree with those public statements.
The perfect is the enemy of the good.
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Re: The Pirate party's attitude toward property cuts both ways
We have?
I don't think so.
The usual politician reaction to being told "no you can't use us to represent your nutbag views" is to simply pretend that they are above the law. No such politician ever ate crow over the issue.
H*ll, most of the time they completely miss the meaning of the work they're pirating an make hilarious implications.
...like Palin being a sleazy A&R man.
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all they do is blablabla but no fucking action(like the rest)
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Re: The Pirate party's attitude toward property cuts both ways
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wait a minute
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wait a minute
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that's not a pirate
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