Facebook As Thin-Skinned And Short-Sighted As Apple When It Comes To Zuckerberg Action Figure

from the kung-fu-grip dept

A few months back, we wrote about Apple's heavy-handed approach in stopping a Chinese firm by the name of MIC Gadget from selling a Steve Jobs action figure. We discussed why it didn't make much sense, but that's never stopped Apple. And, now, it appears that Facebook is being rather Apple-like, in response to the same firm coming up with a Mark Zuckerberg look-a-like action figure. The firm apparently tried to appease the social networking giant by not name checking Zuckerberg, but instead calling the figure the "Poking Inventor." Facebook's lawyers decided to poke back in their own way. Again, I don't see how this move really makes that much sense, but these days people seem to get a bit overprotective. In the meantime, if anyone feels like selling an action figure of me, go for it.
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Filed Under: action figures, mark zuckerberg, steve jobs
Companies: apple, facebook, mic gadget


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  • icon
    ChurchHatesTucker (profile), 17 Mar 2011 @ 12:41pm

    Le Sigh

    The next time a church does anything of note, I'm totally suing their asses.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 17 Mar 2011 @ 12:44pm

    In the meantime, if anyone feels like selling an action figure of me, go for it.

    Wouldn't that be an inaction figure?

    link to this | view in chronology ]

    • identicon
      Anonymous Coward, 17 Mar 2011 @ 12:48pm

      Re:

      I don't follow?

      link to this | view in chronology ]

    • icon
      ChurchHatesTucker (profile), 17 Mar 2011 @ 12:51pm

      Re:

      It's tricky. There's thirty points of articulation, but they're all in the fingers...

      link to this | view in chronology ]

      • icon
        Dark Helmet (profile), 17 Mar 2011 @ 1:13pm

        Re: Re:

        Can we put a string on the back to wind him up so you think the action figure is going to say something awesome, but it only mutters "heh" over and over again?

        You know Angry Dude wants one of these things....

        link to this | view in chronology ]

        • icon
          ChurchHatesTucker (profile), 17 Mar 2011 @ 1:25pm

          Re: Re: Re:

          Can we put a string on the back to wind him up so you think the action figure is going to say something awesome, but it only mutters "heh" over and over again?

          Yes. Yes we can.

          But also, it'll give the details of his next speaking appearance and info on how to get a t-shirt.

          link to this | view in chronology ]

          • identicon
            Anonymous Coward, 17 Mar 2011 @ 1:28pm

            Re: Re: Re: Re:

            I think the figure should be dressed as a pirate and when you pull the drawstring it mutters meekly, "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. Sorry."

            link to this | view in chronology ]

        • icon
          crl72 (profile), 17 Mar 2011 @ 1:46pm

          good comment

          But i think we dont need to put a string on him to wind him up all we need do is start a 'farce' book group about were go to buy one, may be ebay

          link to this | view in chronology ]

    • identicon
      Anonymous Coward, 17 Mar 2011 @ 12:52pm

      Re:

      Really, TAM, that's the best you can come up with? Your trolling is slipping.

      link to this | view in chronology ]

  • icon
    thublihnk (profile), 17 Mar 2011 @ 12:49pm

    Mike Masnick Action Figure

    I'm so getting my cousin a Mike Masnick action figure for Christmas.

    "MIKE MASNICK ACTION HERO TOY! With realistic sound effects--'Piracy can be combated by putting forth smart business practices, not through litigation!' And with realistic, hunched over, writing action! Comes with laptop and smartphone accessories! BUY YOURS TODAY."

    link to this | view in chronology ]

    • identicon
      Anonymous Coward, 17 Mar 2011 @ 1:23pm

      Re: Mike Masnick Action Figure

      I actually wouldn't mind seeing a Masnick bobblehead pop up in one of Mike's package deals...

      link to this | view in chronology ]

      • icon
        cj7wilson (profile), 17 Mar 2011 @ 2:01pm

        Re: Re: Mike Masnick Action Figure

        Maybe a Masnick Stress Squeezer doll to provide catharsis for the angry ACs out there...

        link to this | view in chronology ]

        • icon
          Dark Helmet (profile), 17 Mar 2011 @ 2:15pm

          Re: Re: Re: Mike Masnick Action Figure

          Would it squeek? Cuz my dogs would tear that thing to shreds....

          link to this | view in chronology ]

  • icon
    jenningsthecat (profile), 17 Mar 2011 @ 1:01pm

    Zuckerberg should have negotiated royalties

    If he did that, then

    A) He'd make a little extra money
    B) He might become even more famous
    C) He wouldn't look so much like a humorless, clueless, prima donna jerk
    D) We wouldn't be having this discussion!

    I wonder if Mr. Zuckerberg has ever shown the maturity and self-confidence required to laugh at oneself. Somehow I doubt it.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 17 Mar 2011 @ 1:17pm

    I would buy a Suckerberg action figure just to torture and destroy.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 17 Mar 2011 @ 1:36pm

    Suckerberg

    Oughtta have action figures of him and his Hot! Chinese girlfriend (so you could pose em!

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 17 Mar 2011 @ 1:36pm

    Suckerberg

    Oughtta have action figures of him and his Hot! Chinese girlfriend (so you could pose em!

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • icon
    hmm (profile), 17 Mar 2011 @ 2:43pm

    its not a realistic doll..

    Unless the doll has cameras for eyes, and when you pull the string it promises not to do anything with the info it gathered, but then sends it to any advertiser within visual range..

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • icon
    hmm (profile), 17 Mar 2011 @ 2:44pm

    that was for the zucker doll btw :)

    shoulda made that clear before tam wanders by...

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 17 Mar 2011 @ 2:46pm

    A Masnick action figure should be the next CwF + RtB offering!

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Mojo, 17 Mar 2011 @ 3:19pm

    You can't buy the Mike action figure - it's given away free, of course!

    But the optional, tiny Techdirt T-shirt to dress him in will cost you $19.95, the sound chip to make him talk is $24.95, etc etc.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • icon
    Capitalist Lion Tamer (profile), 17 Mar 2011 @ 3:55pm

    I'm holding out for a Troll doll

    They'll be like Cabbage Patch Kids, as individual as a snowflake but somehow each more identical than the last.

    Of course, the shock of pink hair is a given, as is the adorable "mouth breathing action." Repeats up to 12 equally adorable catchphrases, which soon become tiresome as their is no "OFF" switch. Another downside is the patent pending (but already actionable!) "perpetual motion" charging system which ensures the batteries never wind down, no matter how energy is expended.

    Also available: Law Student Troll. Nearly identical to the other Troll dolls, but sports a $79 Montgomery Ward's suit and has 15 enjoyable catchphrases, including:

    - LOL
    - LOLOL
    - LOLOLOLOL
    - LOLOLOLOLOL
    - LOLOLOLOLOLOL
    - ROFL
    - FUD
    - + many more LOLs!

    All Troll dolls also feature:

    - State of the art "circular logic" boards for the finest in one-way interaction!
    - Eerily lifelike sense of entitlement!
    - Astroturfed display stand!
    - A Furbie-esque ability to speak to other Troll dolls in a language only they can understand!
    - Fully articulated handwringing action!

    Features still under development:
    - Irony detector
    - A unique identity
    - A business plan that does NOT include: lawyers, legislation or butchered theft metaphors.
    - An "OFF" switch

    No need to fight the long lines at the stores! Simply utter any combination of "P2P," "File sharing," "Free," "Torrent" or "IP" to get your own set of Troll dolls!

    link to this | view in chronology ]

    • icon
      G Thompson (profile), 17 Mar 2011 @ 8:37pm

      Re: I'm holding out for a Troll doll

      I think the "troll doll" should also come with its own t-shirt, and coffee cup emblazoned with the catchphrase of all such trolls "FIGJAM"

      ;)

      link to this | view in chronology ]

  • icon
    Mike42 (profile), 18 Mar 2011 @ 7:49am

    Parody?

    Could anyone please explain how this doll is anything but a parody? It's obviously poking fun at the "Poking Inventor"...

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • icon
    btr1701 (profile), 18 Mar 2011 @ 10:13am

    TAM

    > if anyone feels like selling an action
    > figure of me, go for it.

    Good lord, can you imagine what TAM would do with such a figure in the dark of night?

    link to this | view in chronology ]


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