Village People Threaten Chef Jamie Oliver For Dressing Up Like Cowboy, Indian, Cop, Construction Worker, Etc...

from the YMCA dept

Mon, Dec 21st 2009 11:59am — Mike Masnick

Kaden writes in to let us know that celebrity chef Jamie Oliver is facing some legal threats from The Village People for dressing up like them in a promotion for Oliver's new TV show. Apparently a lawyer representing the band said that they've trademarked their costumes, and if you want to dress up like them for a commercial purpose, you need to pay up. However, Oliver's people are noting that they don't think he violated any trademark, and they doubt that the lawyer member of The Village People (the one in the suit) will actually go through with the lawsuit...

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Filed Under: jamie oliver, trademark, village people

40 Comments

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Pickle Monger (profile), 21 Dec 2009 @ 11:12am

Slippery slope
Next on the docket: a class action suit on behalf of Barney, Godzilla, Rex the Green Dinosaur, et al. against the American Museum of Natural History, The Smithsonian institution et al. for deriving a commercial benefit from showing dinosaurs in their exhibits. Can't wait!
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Jon Bane, 21 Dec 2009 @ 11:19am

Moron in a hurry
I don't know, he may have a case. It could be pretty difficult to distinguish a celebrity chef from a 70s band.
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senshikaze (profile), 21 Dec 2009 @ 12:19pm

DMCA (a parody of Village People’s YMCA)

SEOs, there’s no need to feel down
I said, SEOs, pick yourselves off the ground
I said, SEOs, ’cause your site isn’t found
There’s no need to be unhappy

SEOs, there’s a place you can go
I said, SEOs, when you’re content’s been stolen
You can file there, and I’m sure you will find
Your rankings will come back in good time

It’s fun to turn in a DMCA
It’s fun to turn in a DMCA
They can defeat the content thieves
They can beat the tricks up their sleeves
It’s fun to turn in a DMCA
It’s fun to turn in a DMCA
You can restore your copyright, you can flex your muscles with might
Your rankings will once again see the light.

SEOs, are you listenin’ to me?
I said, SEOs, how you want the SERPs to be?
I said, SEOs, you can make real your dreams
But you’ve got to know this one thing

No one does it all by himself
I said, SEOs, put your pride on the shelf
And just file that little DMCA
I’m sure it will help you today

It’s fun to turn in a DMCA
It’s fun to turn in a DMCA
They can defeat the content thieves
They can beat the tricks up their sleeves
It’s fun to turn in a DMCA
It’s fun to turn in a DMCA
You can restore your copyright, you can flex your muscles with might
Your rankings will once again see the light.

SEOs, I was once in your shoes
I said, I was down and out with the blues
I saw my website had been duplicated
I felt so very frustrated

That’s when someone came up to me
And said, “SEO, follow this link
To find out how to file a DMCA
It can start you back on your way”

It’s fun to turn in a DMCA
It’s fun to turn in a DMCA
They can defeat the content thieves
They can beat the tricks up their sleeves
It’s fun to turn in a DMCA
It’s fun to turn in a DMCA
SEOs, SEOs, there’s no need to feel down
SEOs, SEOs, just do the DMCA takedown.

DMCA
Just file a DMCA
SEOs, SEOs, I was once in your shoes
SEOs, SEOs, I was down with the blues
DMCA

(I know that has nothing to do with it, just found it funny. http://www.searchenginepeople.com/contest/dmca-a-parody-of-village-peoples-ymca.html)
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slander (profile), 21 Dec 2009 @ 12:33pm

Next on their agenda -- they're going to sue the gay Chinese pop group "Village Peoples Republic"...
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slander (profile), 21 Dec 2009 @ 12:37pm

...and they doubt that the lawyer member of The Village People (the one in the suit) will actually go through with the lawsuit...
Wait a minute--there was a lawyer-suited member of the group?
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Dark Helmet (profile), 21 Dec 2009 @ 12:44pm

Re:
"Wait a minute--there was a lawyer-suited member of the group?"

Who do you think helped the gay construction worker to get the permit to build on the gay indian's land?
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slander (profile), 21 Dec 2009 @ 12:46pm

Re: Re:
Er... the gay cop?
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slander (profile), 21 Dec 2009 @ 12:47pm

Re: Re: Re:
Wait, wait, I know--the Pink Mafia.
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Dark Helmet (profile), 21 Dec 2009 @ 12:49pm

Re: Re: Re:
No, the gay cop is the one that ushered the gay indians off their land on behalf of the gay construction workers city zoning boss.

You're so confused....
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slander (profile), 21 Dec 2009 @ 12:52pm

Re: Re: Re: Re:
But where does the gay cowboy come in?
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Cohen (profile), 21 Dec 2009 @ 12:59pm

Hey! Hey! Hey!

Jaime Oliver and Channel 4 know full well they are using someone else's trademark.

And I wonder how quickly they would sue someone else for coming out with a bunch of recipes from "The Naked Chef"? Faster than the train from London to Liverpool!

I agree that lawyers screw up things.

But the Village People have had to work hard to maintain their trademark.

And they deserve to protect it.
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Dark Helmet (profile), 21 Dec 2009 @ 1:01pm

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re:
"But where does the gay cowboy come in?"

Sigh, he's the one that needs the gay slaughterhouse to be built on the gay Indian's land, hence needing the gay zoning permit from the gay lawyer, then enforced by the gay cop (who, by the way, does NOT appreciate any gay pig references or jokes when in such close proximity to the gay slaughterhouse).
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slander (profile), 21 Dec 2009 @ 1:04pm

Re: Moron in a hurry
Sure it is. When a 70s band says "Do ya wanna rock," the the crowd goes wild. The celebrity chef says "olive oil" to get the same effect. I'm looking at you, Emeril...
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slander (profile), 21 Dec 2009 @ 1:05pm

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re:
That clears up everything. Thanks.
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Richard (profile), 21 Dec 2009 @ 1:08pm

Re:
They're in a different business from Jamie Oliver - so trademark doesn't apply.

Just like Lotus cars (which usually defends its trademark vigorously) never went after Lotus Software.

Please understand that trademark is not copyright - it only applies if you are competing in the same business and there is a possibility of confusion between the two companies.

Jamie Oliver is not promoting an album or concert tour so there is no trademark case to answer.

If a band released an album called "The Naked Chef" then likewise channel four/Jamie Oliver would have no case.
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harbingerofdoom (profile), 21 Dec 2009 @ 1:16pm

Re: Moron in a hurry
ordinarily id be against you on this point.
but in this case with this band, you could be very right.
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CastorTroy-Libertarian, 21 Dec 2009 @ 1:18pm

Re: Re:
Sorry Naked Chef and Village People in the same post... anyone else just find it freaking funny...

Hell the Village people are just made because they invited him over to cook for them, and he had on clothes...
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Typical Consumer, 21 Dec 2009 @ 1:19pm

I'm so confused
I'm in such a hurry these days, with the holidays right around the corner and all. I still have lots of gifts to get and wrap, dont know that i can it all done in time. One gift I need is a CD of the Village people, dont ask ... Anyways, I was watching channel four the other day and saw the village people cooking stuff and thought wow, what a good gift idea. Turns out it was some thieving pirate who can not sing or dance.
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senshikaze (profile), 21 Dec 2009 @ 1:30pm

Re: I'm so confused
ah, typical consumer. the reason wal-mart has more power in american retail than any thousand companies put together.

Mr/Mdm. Typical Consumer, You're an idiot.
Thank you.
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Everyone E, 21 Dec 2009 @ 1:39pm

Re: Re: I'm so confused
Dear Senshikaze,

Please have your sarcasm meter recalibrated.

Thank You,
Everyone Else
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reboog711 (profile), 21 Dec 2009 @ 1:58pm

I'm not sure what to think about this one. It sounds like the Village People may have a case to me. If the chef is using village people-esque costumes--which are pretty distinct--I can easily envision how it may imply that the Village People are associate with, or support, the chef.
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Lucretious, 21 Dec 2009 @ 2:03pm

Did the Village People ever pay the YMCA for using their moniker?

Just curious.
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Fake Mike In a Cop Uniform, 21 Dec 2009 @ 2:11pm

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re:
Wut is this faggotry?

I'm afraid I am going to have to issue you a ticket. For making this blog too gehy.

http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2009/07/04/article-0-05946C70000005DC-536_468x286.jpg
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Anonymous Coward, 21 Dec 2009 @ 2:15pm

Is Dark Helmet submitting story ideas again?
Because this definitely seems like something he'd send in... Mike, have you no quality control?
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slander (profile), 21 Dec 2009 @ 2:27pm

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re:
Wait a minute--the cop had a better tan. I call shopped...
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Anonymous Coward, 21 Dec 2009 @ 2:38pm

Re: Re: Re: I'm so confused
Well, I tried to buy a sarcasm meter but all I could find was a CD by the Village People. I didn't buy it.
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Dark Helmet (profile), 21 Dec 2009 @ 2:39pm

Re: Is Dark Helmet submitting story ideas again?
A. It wasn't me

B. If you're going to spend your time here just going after me personally, could you at least name yourself after some homely pet of mine? FYI, I have two dogs....

Now go get 'em slugger....
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Anonymous Coward, 21 Dec 2009 @ 2:40pm

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re:
The scarf is a nice touch.

Very classy.
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Anonymous Coward, 21 Dec 2009 @ 2:43pm

Re: Re: Is Dark Helmet submitting story ideas again?
Why does it matter how many dogs you have unless you're going to make Chinese food?
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NullOp, 21 Dec 2009 @ 2:48pm

Help!
Someone is going to patent stupidity one day and then thousands will be in violation. ALL politicians, for example.
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sexydiverguy (profile), 21 Dec 2009 @ 4:12pm

Its a cool Commercial
The spot is "cute" and Jamie wonders who the Village People are.:) The VP should run with the idea that this is FREE PROMOTION for them and from a chef that has far more money than they will ever see.
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Anonymous Coward, 21 Dec 2009 @ 4:59pm

Fuck the VP
This just pisses me off.

The village people raped and murdered a young boy in 1975
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Daemon_ZOGG (profile), 21 Dec 2009 @ 5:39pm

village people??!!!
Who the hell still listens to those Dorks anywayz!
:P
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Anonymous Coward, 21 Dec 2009 @ 6:21pm

Re: Re: Re:
The Village people were parody and can be parodied. The Oliver ad is probably covered under that.
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Dark Helmet's Ugly Dog, 21 Dec 2009 @ 6:56pm

Re: Re: Re: Is Dark Helmet submitting story ideas again?
Why would the Village People care about some guy cooking stuff ?
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Clark W Griswold (profile), 21 Dec 2009 @ 7:45pm

Re: Re: Is Dark Helmet submitting story ideas again?
We'll see how long this account lasts.
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Jeff, 22 Dec 2009 @ 9:55am

Re:
+++
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Bryan Au, 29 Dec 2009 @ 12:48am

Chef Bryan Au dressed up like a Cop on Halloween!
I actually dressed up like the RENO 911 Cop for Halloween, heck I have the legs for it! lol Photos of it are on some of my websites, Facebook, etc. Hope the Village People don't think I am trying to be the Cop! It is from Reno 911 TV SHOW!

Raw Chef Bryan Au
http://www.Rawinten.com
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Baubid.Com, 24 Jun 2013 @ 1:32pm

Hmm, Paying for Tradmark
It is interesting that we need to pay for dress up too!
Home Renovations Toronto by Baubid
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LogoToYou, 24 Jan 2014 @ 9:32am

Cool!
Really cool! I think , He need to pay some it's better than falling on legal problems.
Logo mats at Logo to You
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