US Olympic Committee Forces 30 Year Old Philidelphia Gyro Restaraunt To Change Its Name
from the its-all-Greek-to-me dept
Ah, the Olympics. The spirit of cooperation. Of athletic competition. Of the essence of global feel-good-ness, where all the Olympic committees of the world come together to put on a spectacle made of the most brilliant athletes in the world.Oh, and they also like to stifle links to critical pieces (do we have your attention, boys?), by banning their fans from sharing their experiences via social media, and threatening ICANN for refusing to block Olympic-related terms. And, now, Steve M shares a story from the Philadelphia Daily News about how the United States Olympic Committee has won a 30 year battle they didn't know they were fighting with a gyro shop.
"Three decades after it burst from the starting block, the Greek eatery Olympic Gyro has received a cease-and-desist email from the USOC, the nonprofit corporation responsible for training and funding U.S. teams. The June 7 notice demanded deletion of the word "Olympic" from the food shop's title, claiming copyright of the word under a 1978 law."This legislative insanity, which I assume is entitled "The USOC Can Do Whatever It Wants Because Olympics Act Of 1978", basically grants the USOC sole usership of the word "Olympic" in the United States, amongst other travesties. They issued a heartfelt email in response to this issue:
"The USOC communications department declined to discuss the matter with the Daily News. But in its email, the organization emphasized the need to "protect the rights of companies who financially support the U.S. Olympic Team," such as McDonald's and Coca-Cola."Yup, the USOC asserted that it needs to protect the rights of their sponsors (which means they're protecting themselves, by the way) from these no-good gyro shop owners who have apparently been harming McDonald's and Coca-Cola for the past thirty damned years, but with some kind of stealth cloaking device that keeps any such harm from being realized.
Oh, and just for fun, let's look at a few names of the governors of the organizations involved in this story. The USOC is headed up by Larry Probst (not Greek). Coca-Cola is run by Muhtar Kent (not Greek). McDonalds' CEO is James Skinner (not Greek). And the gyro stand formely known as Olympic Gyro's owner is Athens Voulgaridis (more than slightly Greek). The irony of this was apparently not lost on Voulgaridis:
"It's been a part of my life as long as I can remember," Voulgaridis said Tuesday. "We're very Greek Orthodox, we go back [to Greece] often. For them to take something that is Greek and make it theirs for money is frustrating."But he also states that he isn't going to fight the government. In total, the name change will cost his business $6000 or so, since he has to change both signage and employee uniforms. He contacted the USOC to see if they would help out with those costs, but they declined, explaining that money is valuable and they didn't want to spend any.
The same Daily News article also mentions that the USOC went after a knitting group named Ravelry that was organizing something of a knitting olympics competition to coincide with The Games:
"We believe using the name ‘Ravelympics' for a competition that involves an afghan marathon, scarf hockey and sweater triathlon, among others, tends to denigrate the true nature of the Olympic Games," the letter from USOC said. "In a sense, it is disrespectful to our country's finest athletes and fails to recognize or appreciate their hard work."Yes, you read that correctly. Knitting competitions denigrate the true nature of the Olympic Games. Which I happen to agree with, assuming that this "true nature" they're talking about revolves around screwing with people for no good reason.
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Filed Under: greek food, olympics, protection, restaurant
Companies: olympic gyro, usoc
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dirty rotten rabbit raping rectal-rogues
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dirty rotten rabbit raping rectal-rogues
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sorry guys, not going to work here.
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http://www2.macleans.ca/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/100315_bernard.jpg
http://themadchuck.file s.wordpress.com/2010/02/610x.jpg
http://www.chicagotribune.com/media/photo/2010-02/52335114.jpg
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Disgusting
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Re: Disgusting
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Re: Disgusting
It's a set of expectations."
The USOC and the IOC apparently believe that this makes their brand more valuable, but going after knitters and gyro eateries doesn't keep people from being confused about the Olympic brand. It also doesn't bring them more money, but rather costs them money because the targets of their expensive lawyers aren't going to be able to pay to keep the word "Olympic".
What it does do is build their reputation... as bullies, and creates a general disrespect for the organizations. It should be obvious that engendering disrespect is not favorable to the long-term maintenance of their brand and its value.
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Here is a great blog post about the Ravelympics trademark issue.
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Puts a whole new copyright context on your comment =)
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Oh yeah- kitten-stomping, fascist, terrorist supporting, nazi, SOPA-sucking, butterfly-ripping SOB's also at the above link.
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What about the Olympic Mountains?
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Re: What about the Olympic Mountains?
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Also see this 2010 Seattle Times Article “Few tears shed here over USOC's "ambush marketing " woes” (http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/ronjuddsolympicsinsider/2010909904_no_tears_shed_here_over_us ocs.html)
However, A picture of their neon sign shows the 5 Olympic rings, which is a big no-no.
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:)
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olympics what
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Re: olympics what
Politicians are not supposed to work for corporations... Oh wait..
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It's a sporting contest, you see! If the USOC can produce the most C&D letters, it'll win the gold!
Come on, don't be such a spoil sport and root for the US Team!
/AC Knowledge Base aka sarcasm
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I shall not be watching.
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It's nice to have more fuel to throw on my bonfire of sports. Sports is rapidly degrading into a bigger copyright nightmare than then music industry and it's good to have more reasons to fuel the hatred I harbor. I swear, they are becoming as litigious as Disney.
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Sheldon? Is that you??
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Re: Hero-worship
(This might also explain why poker on TV got hot for a while, or why some smaller networks show video game competitions. We're not so concerned with athletic achievement as we are with achievement within a particular game. Kevin Durant can't outrun Usain Bolt, but he'll attract a hell of a lot more eyeballs this summer.)
I suppose the counter to this is that anyone could make a movie, too, but making a game that anyone can play and that can produce its own moments of drama on both personal and global scales? That'll last a lot longer than your DVD collection. And that's part of the reason why sports still draw me in.
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Re: Re: Hero-worship
The Olympics themselves directly insults athleticism and the athletes that take part in them.
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All I can think of is that this is BS. With one exception the Olympic Gyro is using the Olympic rings in it's logo.
Using the fool in a hurry test, I would never think that the US Olympic Cmte. is part of this food service venture.
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People just need to start standing up for themselves.
We should help him engage in whatever legal action is necessary to challenge the injunction the USOC has filed. If that fails we should show him how to file an appeal.
I realize that people can't afford legal fees (or time), and in the end, corporations like McDonald's will likely win with superior resources, but we need to start helping people fight for themselves.
We need to start simply saying, "No."
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That would show the USOC and IOC that people don't give a shit about their corporate ass-kissing and maybe even the corps who support the Ohlimpicks will wake up to the will of the people.
Though most likely the USOC will sue the restaurant for violating a "law" and then sue those who supported via Kickstarter for being accomplices.
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Rename it
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Re: Rename it
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Re: Rename it
Olympia Gyro problem solved with half a roll of ducktape
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Extra business ... yeah, right.
Where should be eat tonight honey?
Oh, I don't know - we haven't eaten Olympic lately.
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Seriously, you must be a moron in a hurry, or a lawyer.
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I don't think these are mutually exclusive terms.
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Greek eatery Olympic Gyro for your Olympic nutrition needs!
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Yes, I'm sure we saw "EAT AT Greek eatery..
Damn language phonetics.
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Nature?
Hey USOC - you and your God Damned *OLYMPIC* committees are fucking cunts. Hairy, mean, grizzly bear snatch.
You and your McDONALDS and COCA-COLA racket can suck a javelin.
Self-serving twats. Yet another protectionist racket that degrades and abuses the contributions of peoples to society. A society that happens to encompass the entire planet.
The OLYMPICS of corporate controlling twattery - awesome.
This is what disturbs me about the "rule of law" - the game is law - and it's continuously being rigged. Dead End.
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The only way to stop this...
And tell them that we're boycotting them.
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In fact the US should be careful about how far it pushes this as it could really come back to bite it.
- Hephaistos invented metal tools (e.g. ploughshares) to increase agricultural efficiency.
- Ares found these metal tools could be turned into swords and other weapons of war.
- Dice were invented by Palamedes.
- Palamedeas also invented 11 (or possibly 16) letters of the alphabet.
- Hermes invented the 3 stringed Lyre, and Apollo may have added another 4 strings to it. It's hard to argue that harps, pianos and many other instruments are not derivative of this.
Source
The US should live up to its international obligations and stop stealing the IP of these hardworking ancient Greeks and Greek gods. It should pay compensation for years - centuries - of blatant abuse and lawlessness (maybe $150,000 per infraction?). (Which may even solve the Greek debt crisis...)
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Hmmm
As to the words then try (Ancient Greek: τὰ Ὀλύμπια – ta Olympia), (Modern Greek: Ὀλυμπιακοὶ Ἀγῶνες [Katharevousa], Ολυμπιακοί Αγώνες [Dimotiki] – Olympiakoi Agones)
The modern Olympics may own the rings but as to the word they should go and run and jump. I am sure Greece will have issues with the US trying to claim rights to their land and to their history.
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Re: Hmmm
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Olympic_rings#Olympic_rings)
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Olympic Gyro restaurant
Olympic Gyro restaurant
Olympic Gyro restaurant
Olympic Gyro restaurant
Olympic Gyro restaurant
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Absolutely disgusted at this...
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How can you copyright the name of a real place?
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That said, we have a place around here with the same name, and I'd hate to see it get swatted by amalgamated twatwaffles...
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I will now hold my own olympics
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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Olympic_Dam,_South_Australia
After all, the company that operates it has plenty of money to become the official energy supplier?
The official renewable energy supplier?
The official non-drug related enhancement supplier?
The official photon based enhancement supplier?
Or perhaps the official Dam-the-opponents supplier.
Alternatively, this isn't infringement in Australia because uranium miners do not compete with an advertising company based in another country?
[Perhaps someone can shed light on the Sydney 2000 Olympics and why this is different?]
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My sad attempt at trolling...
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Hey USOC! Betcha I can
Olympic Gyro restaurant
Olympic Gyro restaurant
Olympic Gyro restaurant
Olympic Gyro restaurant
Olympic Gyro restaurant
Olympic Gyro restaurant
Olympic Gyro restaurant
Olympic Gyro restaurant
Olympic Gyro restaurant
Olympic Gyro restaurant
Olympic Gyro restaurant
Olympic Gyro restaurant
Olympic Gyro restaurant
Olympic Gyro restaurant
I can also say this - the USOC is a bunch of Dirty rotten rabbit-raping rectal rogues?
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A Word From Our Sponsors (Coca-Cola and McDonald's)
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Leave our minds alone
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best response?
That said, it seems to me that the best response among readers is to complain directly to the sponsors. While the USOC clearly doesn't mind being an asshole (hey, corporations are people too!), Coke, Mickey D's and the others have a public image to maintain.
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What about Olympia...
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The problem arose from the Olympic Gyro using the trademarked and heavily protected logo of 5 rings in its neatly designed serving area. Had it not done such a foolish thing, it would have been spared. There are plenty of "Olympic+something" businesses in the US and worldwide, but they don't use the Olympic logo.
Imagine calling your restaurant Nike Foods (nike = victory in Greek) AND using the swoosh of the famous shoe maker.
Also, a C&D is not enforceable, the gyro place complied in order to avoid a lawsuit.
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Nice try, though...
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But then again, this happened in Canada not the US. =P
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Um, the USOC specifically ordered them to change the name, so, yeah, it's a problem....
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"In a follow-up letter June 18, the USOC said it "sympathizes with your position," so Voulgaridis was given until the end of 2013 to "come to a resolution."
The committee initially suggested the name "Olympus Gyro," and after Voulgaridis requested "Olympia Gyro," he got the OK."
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Moral of the story: consult an IP attorney whey planning to name a business.
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Didnt believe it till i looked
I looked up the USC just to check as i am from the Olympic peninsula of Washington state and was appalled to find they specifically mention my area. Its ok if I use the name Olympic in my business as long as it doesn't go outside of that region and I don't become famous. Man i thought this was America but that is a farce, America died long ago.
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Pepsi only!
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Needs to be 62 years old or in western Washington
http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/36/220506
"(d) Pre-Existing and Geographic Reference Rights.—
(1) A person who actually used the emblem described in subsection (a)(3) of this section, or the words or any combination of the words described in subsection (a)(4) of this section, for any lawful purpose before September 21, 1950, is not prohibited by this section from continuing the lawful use for the same purpose and for the same goods or services.
(2) A person who actually used, or whose assignor actually used, the words or any combination of the words described in subsection (a)(4) of this section, or a trademark, trade name, sign, symbol, or insignia described in subsection (c)(4) of this section, for any lawful purpose before September 21, 1950, is not prohibited by this section from continuing the lawful use for the same purpose and for the same goods or services.
(3) Use of the word “Olympic” to identify a business or goods or services is permitted by this section where—
(A) such use is not combined with any of the intellectual properties referenced in subsection (a) or (c) of this section;
(B) it is evident from the circumstances that such use of the word “Olympic” refers to the naturally occurring mountains or geographical region of the same name that were named prior to February 6, 1998, and not to the corporation or any Olympic activity; and
(C) such business, goods, or services are operated, sold, and marketed in the State of Washington west of the Cascade Mountain range and operations, sales, and marketing outside of this area are not substantial."
If the restaurant were in western Washington, or if it had been founded in or before 1950, they'd be fine.
This law is dumb, but it not so dumb as to miss the obviously super-dumb possibilities.
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confused
Crappy sponsorship, threats to arrest anyone wearing the wrong clothing
and worst of all, the entire thing is fake and the medals have been pre-assigned based on upcoming trade agreements.
Hell, the US at one point even tried to offer medals to those countries that would support ACTA even though they aren't hosting the damn things!
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Same old Olympic Committee abuse.
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Olympic Committee
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USOC
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Ugh
Also, TD, your little frame you keep the FB like button sucks as it keeps me from posting my comments when I like an article. Try again.
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