Stephen Colbert Takes On MLB's Attempt To Bully Little Leaguers With Trademarks
from the trademark-isn't-ownership dept
For years, we've covered Major League Baseball's ridiculous attempts to falsely claim that it has ownership of different aspects of the sport. It's been on the losing side of court battles, repeatedly, but it just keeps pushing its luck. Earlier this year, we noted that MLB was bullying the Cape Cod League, which is considered the preeminent league where the best amateur kids get to compete against each other prior to the annual draft. The problem? The Cape Cod League had the temerity to buy uniforms from local providers, and to use (in just a few cases) names similar to major league teams, such as the Chatham A's and the Harwich Mariners. Of course, no one's going to confuse a team of amateur college players with the major league teams, but MLB demanded both a licensing fee and that the teams be required to buy from a much more expensive uniform supplier approved by MLB.It appears that this was just the beginning. MLB is doing the same to an even younger group of kids: Little Leaguers in suburban Chicago -- where the teams have similar names, but very different logos (further clarifying the lack of connection). I'm sure taking away the names they recognize will really get those kids interested in the sport. This is, as per MLB's standards, incredibly shortsighted. MLB should be doing anything to build up fans -- and one way to do that is to get kids to really identify with major league teams and players -- and that means letting them use real names. I played Little League at that age, and kids are excited to play on teams with names similar to Major League teams. It certainly doesn't take away from MLB in any way.
Of course, now that the Little Leaguers are involved, this story caught the attention of Stephen Colbert, who decided to give his own, unique, spin on the story (if you're in an RSS reader, click through to see the video):
Thank you for reading this Techdirt post. With so many things competing for everyone’s attention these days, we really appreciate you giving us your time. We work hard every day to put quality content out there for our community.
Techdirt is one of the few remaining truly independent media outlets. We do not have a giant corporation behind us, and we rely heavily on our community to support us, in an age when advertisers are increasingly uninterested in sponsoring small, independent sites — especially a site like ours that is unwilling to pull punches in its reporting and analysis.
While other websites have resorted to paywalls, registration requirements, and increasingly annoying/intrusive advertising, we have always kept Techdirt open and available to anyone. But in order to continue doing so, we need your support. We offer a variety of ways for our readers to support us, from direct donations to special subscriptions and cool merchandise — and every little bit helps. Thank you.
–The Techdirt Team
Filed Under: baseball, stephen colbert, trademark
Companies: major league baseball
Reader Comments
Subscribe: RSS
View by: Time | Thread
So sad how far baseball has fallen...
MLB (can I write MLB without infringement?) continues to sue anyone who is interested in "The Game". There is a similar court case about Fantasy Baseball web sites.
It is as if MLB is only worried about people who are truly interested in Baseball.
If MLB continues they may get "Metallica-ed" (see previous Techdirt article).
so sad.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: So sad how far baseball has fallen...
If that was the case they'd be giving these little league teams free uniforms. The MLB is only interested in making money; their target market is the sponsor-product-consuming, couch potato who is too lazy to change the channel during commercials.
Now they're looking to milk the low budget little leagues for using a similar name...nobody's got any class anymore.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Who is "MLB"?
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
yup again
MLB has already started the ball rolling as an IP bully, its only a matter of time before enough teams get fed up and start a new league. (I kinda hope that day comes, so I can be a fan again... as it is, my morals prevent me from being a fan of anything MLB)
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Never cared, likely never will
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
If i was network tv...
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
America's passtime...
Now it's frivolous lawsuits.. It was only a matter of time before baseball tried to get back it's title by joining baseball WITH the lawsuit, to make the ultimate passtime...
"As American as baseball and a lawsuit..." just rolls off the tongue..
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Corporate Greed
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
I wish, but the overwhelming majority of sports fans are stupid - won't happen...
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Stephen Colbert takes on MLB
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Stephen Colbert takes on MLB
Making a joke and making a valid point are not mutually exclusive. He's showing how ridiculous MLB's position is by pushing it to the logical extreme and having a joke at their expense at the same time.
So really, the story does have a point.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Stephen Colbert takes on MLB
Uh... yeah? That's the point. He's mocking them. He's taking "their" side in a hilarious way to show how ridiculous their actions are.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
So true
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
(Not on Steroids Yet Baseball League)
They've even added new terminology, since the term "home run" is soon to be copyrighted when a ball is hit over the wall it's a "Clear"
Maybe MLB just needs to shut the f*ck up and worry about the fact that the sport has become one realllllly long bad joke.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Screw baseball...
Go Pens!
(nobody in Pittsburgh likes the Pirates anymore anyway)
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Screw baseball...
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Dear MLB
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Huh?
I do agree- they need new management, across the board. I don't agree that it is "America's past time", or passtime, or whatever probably MLB trademarked name it is anymore. More like America's Waste-of-Time. Baseball just isn't "fun" anymore, and hasn't been for many years.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Unbelievable
How true that statement is becoming more and more as college educated idiots continue to make a mockery of American institutions.
What a shame. There are no heroes anymore.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
From Little League
May 29, 2008
Dear Little League District Administrators, District Staff, League Presidents and Officials:
Recently, we have received some inquiries at Little League International asking for advice on the use of trademarked names and logos, particularly those of Major League Baseball teams.
For more than six decades, Little Leagues have used the names of Major League Baseball teams. That tradition continues today, and will continue for many years to come. Major League Baseball has never restricted any Little League teams from calling themselves "Mets," "Yankees," "Cardinals," "Angels," or any of its other trademarked names.
However, we also recognize the importance to Major League Baseball of the protection of its trademarks. It is incumbent on any organization, Little League included, to protect its trademarks. To fail to do so can result in those valuable trademarks being lost.
We strongly encourage our leagues who wish to place any trademarked names on a uniform item, including those of Major League Baseball clubs, to use only those items authorized and licensed by Major League Baseball.
It is important to note that unauthorized use of any trademark, including those belonging to Major League Baseball, may result in civil liability by the manufacturer of items bearing those trademarks. So if a local Little League uses shirts with unauthorized Major League Baseball trademarks will not be held liable, it is likely that the business that provided the shirts would be.
We hope this helps to clarify this issue for our local Little Leagues.
As always, thank you for your service to the children and families of your community.
Sincerely,
Little League International
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Regarding the letter from Little League International that was posted...
It's still all about the money, at the expense of kids and families who can't afford premium-priced uniforms.
I used to spend a lot of money going to local MLB games.
I lost interest in baseball years ago. The steroid scandal and now this have just reinforced my lack of interest.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: From Little League
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Another brick in the wall
I used to love watching the Braves, but I will never ever watch another major league baseball game as long as I live (unless they all agree to play for free and let everybody in for free).
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
I also used to watch baseball games.. until MLB had their strike(s) and rule changes to the all-star game, giving home field to the AS game winner instead of the team with the better record.
Bud Selig... you SUCK. And if you're behind these attacks on LLBB and their team names, then I think I'll get rid of any remaining vestiges of baseball in my house, except for my um-marred (read: unsigned by any player) glove.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
MLB who?
MLB will be broke within the next decade and Americans will dump all that extra cash into whoever woos them best.
Hey NFL, now is the time to start lowering prices on tickets and merchandise so you can edge out basketball and NASCAR before they get wise to what's going on.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
YUK MLB
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
The league that uses a small round ball-I don't want to use the trademark
I wish the newscasters would refrain from using the official league name, or for that matter team names. Infact, ban the sport altogether.
The offical pro league that uses a small round ball is trying to damage it's self almost as much as the official pro league that play's on ice did. I say, let them.
How greedy and short sighted can they be?
Of course, once this gets enough play, they will have a large media event. Some jerk will get fired and the comish., will announce that it was all a big mis-understanding.
There is always Soccer.
Nuff Said
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
major league buttholes
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Little League
If it weren't for that childhood association, I would probably never have followed a MLB team, since where I live there is none.
Kids are impressionable, and some things stay with you forever. I'm sure those kids that are playing Chatham A's and the Harwich Mariners will probably carry something with them for the rest of their lives, the fact that MLB forced their team to lose their identity. I don't think that will create many MLB fans.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Sportsmen not doing a real job
That being said, I think that Major League salaries have grown to such astronomical heights that it is ridiculous. Yes, it is difficult to do what they do. No, it is not so difficult that they need $100 million or they won't touch the field.
Baseball bores me anyway. What's the purpose of watching something that can be condensed to 1 minute of useful footage?
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Okay, like THAT would happen.
Stop buying the concessions at games. How long before the Hot Dog vendor starts crying foul?
I was involved in youth sports, and this is just plain stoopid thinking. Yes, let's penalize the very people who pay your salaries.
1. Pay a licensing fee? We'll change the name first.
2. Buy exclusively from a price-gouger? We'll change the name first.
So, net result? MLB loses their foolish license fee, but also all of the ancillary income from the parents and grand-parents that do buy official MLB-wear to support their team. ie, not only do they not make MORE money, they actually LOSE money.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Boycott
I guess it was only a matter of time, really. You clearly cannot control steroid use in your own players, so you find someone smaller to bully.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Biting the hand...
Keep it up MLB!
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
SEO| Internet Marketing| Website Designing
Hi
We are leading SEO service provider and web Development Company. We are expert in PHP,.NET, and many open sources like Joomla, Drupal, Wordpress, Oscommerse ,Zencart and Blog Management. We offer best of quality work to our clients at the lowest possible prices. We can quickly promote your website.
We can place your website on top of the Natural Listings on Google, Yahoo and MSN. We do not use ""link farms"" or ""black hat"" methods that Google and the other search engines frown upon and can use to de-list or ban your site. . Price is never a constraint with us because we take pride in handling challenging work.
We would be happy to send you best fit proposal for web development and designing and if you have a SEO requirement we will send you a proposal using the top search phrases for your area of expertise.
In order for us to respond to your request for information, please include your company�s website address (mandatory) and /or phone number.
Sincerely,
sandra wingett
sandrainternetmarketing@gmail.com
COMPLETE INTERNET MARKETING SOLUTION
SEO - Link Building - Copyright - Web Designing - PHP
[ link to this | view in chronology ]