RNC Backs Down On Threats Over T-Shirts With Its Logo

from the an-elephant-never-forgets,-but-sometimes-it-misuses-trademark-law dept

Tue, Jul 22nd 2008 12:35am — Mike Masnick

Paul Alan Levy writes in to let us know that following widespread press coverage of his challenge to the Republican National Committee to back down from suing CafePress over t-shirts that use the term "GOP" or show the RNC's elephant logo, that the RNC has in fact agreed to back down. It won't be suing CafePress or users, and will only ask that those who just show the logo or the term apply for a free license (though, it's unclear what happens if that license request is turned down). However, in following this story, Levy discovered that the RNC had also been threatening some individual sellers, especially on t-shirts that are critical of the RNC. Levy and Public Citizen have called on the RNC to withdraw the threatening letters, and warns the RNC that it may sue for declaratory relief (basically get a judge to say the t-shirts are perfectly legal) if the RNC does not withdraw the letters.

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Filed Under: lawsuits, public citizen, republican national committee, trademark
Companies: cafepress

15 Comments

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Anonymous Poster, 22 Jul 2008 @ 12:49am

"Levy and Public Citizen have called on the RNC to withdraw the threatening letters, and warns the RNC that it may sue for declaratory relief (basically get a judge to say the t-shirts are perfectly legal) if the RNC does not withdraw the letters."

Good on 'em.
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- Anonymous Coward, 22 Jul 2008 @ 3:46am
  
  Re:
  "Good on 'em."
  
  The fact that they are stealing the logo which is a copyright violation, or the fact that they are critical of the RC?
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  - Anonymous Coward, 22 Jul 2008 @ 5:01am
    
    Re: Re:
    They aren't stealing the logo, the RNC still has it. They may be using it without permission, but why should we need permission to talk about politics?
    
    Also, yes, being critical of the RNC is a good thing. So is being critical of the Democrats, and the Green, and the Libertarians. No one should be beyond the reach of criticism.
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  - Chronno S. Trigger, 22 Jul 2008 @ 5:22am
    
    Re: Re:
    If they are using the logo to show their dislike for a product, using "GOP" instead of "RNC" or with the circle-slash, doesn't that qualify as satire and fall under fair use? This is the same reason Walmart can't sue the WalmartSucks people.
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  - Anonymous Coward, 22 Jul 2008 @ 10:40am
    
    Re: Re:
    I thought Logos were Trademarks
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  - Amazing Steve, 26 Jul 2008 @ 1:33pm
    
    Re: Re:
    Ahh, there's the rub. The bully is getting slapped around everuwhere it turns these days and now it's pitching a fit "cuz people ain't plain' nice." Fuck them the GOP is finished in America.
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Scott, 22 Jul 2008 @ 4:14am

sheesh
Political party should own nothing that could be considered IP. By definition, political party should be considered public domain.
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Idiot, 22 Jul 2008 @ 6:15am

Logos?! Copyrights?
How long have these logos been copyrighted? The copyright DOES expire... unless they're pulling a Disney on us...
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Foxstudio, 22 Jul 2008 @ 8:51am

RNC backs down
Uh, any chance that the RNC isn't familiar with the First Amendment? Wouldn't printed material like t-shirts be covered? One of the major whole points of this country is to protect the expression of unpopular ideas. Guess the Republicans are a little unclear on the concept except when it involves them trashing someone they don't like (Hilary comes to mind. No boundaries there that I could see).
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- Anonymous Coward, 22 Jul 2008 @ 8:59am
  
  Re: RNC backs down
  Copyright and trademark pre-empt first ammendment rights. You're free to say whatever you want so long as you don't infringe on my property.
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  - Anonymous Coward, 22 Jul 2008 @ 11:00am
    
    Re: Re: RNC backs down
    "the RNC admits that it has no claim against anybody who combines either an elephant or the acronym GOP with expressive words or design elements (whether positive or negative toward the Republicans."
    
    looks like you disagree with the people you're trying to defend
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- Anonymous Coward, 23 Jul 2008 @ 2:23pm
  
  Re: RNC backs down
  Uh, any chance that the RNC isn't familiar with the First Amendment?
  Considering the way the current RNC backed administration has worked to subvert the U.S. constitution, I's say that question is a little silly.
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  - Anonymous Coward, 23 Jul 2008 @ 2:29pm
    
    Re: Re: RNC backs down
    ...I's say...
    Oops, typo, should have been "...I'd say..."
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JustMe, 22 Jul 2008 @ 10:27am

Ah Geeze, for the last time
It is NOT a copyright violation. It especially is NOT a copyright violation if they are using it to make a statement against the RNC. That is defined in the fair use statute.
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mr21stcent, 23 Jul 2008 @ 8:26am

Trademarks
A major problem exists. (nothing to do with RNC) When a licence (yes it is spelled correctly) is issued, it also becomes a licence to steal. Buyers can pay anywhere up to three times for a logo labeled item. The market is inaccessible to many and that is unfair. Logo protection should have time limits like patents. Not everyone is rich.
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