US Olympic Committee Forces 30 Year Old Philidelphia Gyro Restaraunt To Change Its Name

from the its-all-Greek-to-me dept

Thu, Jul 19th 2012 5:10am — Timothy Geigner

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.

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: greek food, olympics, protection, restaurant
Companies: olympic gyro, usoc

133 Comments

If you liked this post, you may also be interested in...

Reader Comments

Subscribe: RSS

View by: Time | Thread

Ninja (profile), 19 Jul 2012 @ 5:24am

I think one link is mandatory in this article:
dirty rotten rabbit raping rectal-rogues
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Anonymous Coward, 19 Jul 2012 @ 5:25am

I'm now boycatting the olympics retroactivly.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Ninja (profile), 19 Jul 2012 @ 5:26am

Re:
Oh, I pasted the wrong link. No problem, we can always replicate ad infinitum =D

dirty rotten rabbit raping rectal-rogues
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Anonymous Coward, 19 Jul 2012 @ 5:28am

Where are Zeus and his lightning bolts when you need them?
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Anonymous Coward, 19 Jul 2012 @ 5:28am

Re:
What's this about Dirty rotten rabbit-raping rectal rogues?
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Dark Helmet (profile), 19 Jul 2012 @ 5:29am

Re:
Except curling in the Winter Games. There is nothing better than curling....
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Anonymous Coward, 19 Jul 2012 @ 5:29am

Re:
He's having dinner with Richard Dawkins.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Yogi, 19 Jul 2012 @ 5:30am

Disgusting
If the purpose of the Olympics committee is to make people disgusted with the Olympics, then count me as one success.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
droozilla (profile), 19 Jul 2012 @ 5:31am

USOC & IOC can both go suck on my brown ring.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Ninja (profile), 19 Jul 2012 @ 5:32am

Re: Disgusting
+1
[ link to this | view in thread ]
John Doe, 19 Jul 2012 @ 5:34am

What about the Olympic Mountains?
So what will we call the Olympic Mountains in the Olympic Peninsula which is part of Olympic National Park of Washington now? I propose the John Doe Mountains.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Bob V (profile), 19 Jul 2012 @ 5:35am

Re: Disgusting
I just ate at this place last week for the first time...the people there are great. There should be a common sense test lawyers have to pass before being allowed into the real world.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Ninja (profile), 19 Jul 2012 @ 5:35am

Re:
You are doing it wrong. You should have said those rimjob lovers can suck on your brown ring.

Puts a whole new copyright context on your comment =)
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Anonymous Coward, 19 Jul 2012 @ 5:37am

Why would anyone want to make use of a brand name that has the word "limp" in it, anyway? Keep your "lymp" brand.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Michael, 19 Jul 2012 @ 5:39am

:)
Guess which 'athletic competition' isn't getting any of my ratings or support?
[ link to this | view in thread ]
anon, 19 Jul 2012 @ 5:46am

olympics what
I don't really watch the olympics, firstly because most of the fun is on sky satellite tv and secondly because of the stories i heard about them not only here but elsewhere in the press, i think it is going to get to the point where they are going to have to pay countries to host the games if they are not going to allow each country to benefit from the games. i,e using the olympic symbol . this i not supposed to be a for profit organization, this is supposed to be an inspiration to people.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Ninja (profile), 19 Jul 2012 @ 5:50am

Re: olympics what
this i not supposed to be a for profit organization, this is supposed to be an inspiration to people.

Politicians are not supposed to work for corporations... Oh wait..
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Anonymous Coward, 19 Jul 2012 @ 5:53am

i think this and other Olympic 'lock ups' are the tragedy. these are the things that degrade the Games and what they are supposed to stand for. but, as with almost everything today, nothing is more important than copyright and the ability to screw people for the slightest of reasons. why do various governments not put a stop to it? it only makes them look as big arse holes as the committees concerned
[ link to this | view in thread ]
EF, 19 Jul 2012 @ 5:53am

Ridiculousness of Olympic proportion.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Mesonoxian Eve (profile), 19 Jul 2012 @ 5:57am

You guys are so silly as to not see this isn't about abusing copyright law.

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
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Vidiot (profile), 19 Jul 2012 @ 5:58am

Re:
He's still up on Mount [REDACTED].
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Anonymous Coward, 19 Jul 2012 @ 6:05am

Re: What about the Olympic Mountains?
We'll call it super mario world
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Anonymous Coward, 19 Jul 2012 @ 6:05am

Re: :)
The WMBA?
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Zakida Paul (profile), 19 Jul 2012 @ 6:09am

The Olympic spirit has not only been killed in the organisation of these games, it has been butchered. The games are now all about corporate greed rather than a coming together of people from all around the world in sporting unity.

I shall not be watching.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Anonymous Coward, 19 Jul 2012 @ 6:09am

I always hated the olympics for the same reason I hate all sports: I don't see the point of hero-worship when the "heroes" are famed solely for their ability to twirl on a mat, or klick a piece of inflated cow-skin, or to run (which most people compete in around the age of three). It's not exactly brain surgery, and I think it's ridiculous that I can't seem to have a drink during 4 weeks of summer without a f-ing big screen TV disturbing my peaceful afternoon at the bar, because sports apparently is more important than the Higgs Boson (It's NOT, by the way.)

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.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Anonymous Coward, 19 Jul 2012 @ 6:16am

When I was stationed at the Navy Yard in South Philly back in 78, 79, 80. I had the great fortune to become introduced to the Gyro. It wasn't this restaurant, but another in Center City.

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.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Anonymous Coward, 19 Jul 2012 @ 6:29am

The owner of the Gyro shop should simply not change his name.

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."
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Anonymous Coward, 19 Jul 2012 @ 6:29am

I think Olympic Gyro should change its name to "Suck Our Balls USOC Gyro".
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Haywood (profile), 19 Jul 2012 @ 6:41am

Rename it
O'lympic Gyro & claim it is an Irish-Greek restaurant.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Dark Helmet (profile), 19 Jul 2012 @ 6:45am

Re: Rename it
Boiled lamb meat just doesn't sound good....
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Anonymous Coward, 19 Jul 2012 @ 6:49am

Its not that it hurts the current sponsors, its that the Gyro place may have gotten extra business from the advertising that it didn't pay for.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
ChurchHatesTucker (profile), 19 Jul 2012 @ 6:52am

Re:
I'm going to watch the Laff-A-Lympics instead.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Rapnel (profile), 19 Jul 2012 @ 6:55am

Nature?
The true "nature" of the OLYMPICS!?

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.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Trails (profile), 19 Jul 2012 @ 6:56am

Re: Re:
Especially women's curling. Any sport where women lie on the ground and yell "HARD!!!! HARDER!!!!" is a-ok in my book.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Trails (profile), 19 Jul 2012 @ 6:59am

Re: Rename it
O'lymbic Gyro, it's a food club for endocrinologists.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
abc gum, 19 Jul 2012 @ 6:59am

Re:
"the Gyro place may have gotten extra business from the advertising that it didn't pay for."

Extra business ... yeah, right.

Where should be eat tonight honey?
Oh, I don't know - we haven't eaten Olympic lately.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Anonymous Coward, 19 Jul 2012 @ 7:00am

Re: Re: Re:
Lie on the ground?! What "curling" are you watching?
[ link to this | view in thread ]
drewdad (profile), 19 Jul 2012 @ 7:02am

The only way to stop this...
...is to boycott the Olympics and the official sponsors.

And tell them that we're boycotting them.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Anonymous Coward, 19 Jul 2012 @ 7:04am

Still waiting for the day the USOC forces a name change on Mount Olympus.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Anonymous Coward, 19 Jul 2012 @ 7:05am

Re:
Yeah, right. For 30 years people in Philly have been watching ads for the Olympic Games, thinking only of the Olympic Gyro restaurant, and running there to eat. Philly must be a city full of fatties then. Oh... wait... you might have a point there. Never mind.

Seriously, you must be a moron in a hurry, or a lawyer.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Ninja (profile), 19 Jul 2012 @ 7:05am

Re: Re: Re: Re:
X-Art, maybe?
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Ninja (profile), 19 Jul 2012 @ 7:12am

Re:
Yes, I'm sure we sall "EAT AT Greek eatery Olympic Gyro" ads all over the Olympics in 1978 and all the Olympic games ever since. Makes sense the owner pays for all those ads the COI/USOC have placed from Greek eatery Olympic Gyro, including television.

Greek eatery Olympic Gyro for your Olympic nutrition needs!
[ link to this | view in thread ]
That One Guy (profile), 19 Jul 2012 @ 7:12am

Re:
Case is pending, the lawyers are still trying to find Zeus to serve him the C&D.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Violated (profile), 19 Jul 2012 @ 7:14am

Hmmm
It is always nice [sic] to see the United States always try to claim ownership of everything. Try ancient Greece of about 776BC in Olympia and done for many years since to honour Zeus.

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.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Rich, 19 Jul 2012 @ 7:16am

Re:
If someone starts a fund on Kickstarter or something, I will contribute.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Ninja (profile), 19 Jul 2012 @ 7:17am

Re: Re:
Oh well, look the idiot in a hurry here.

Yes, I'm sure we saw "EAT AT Greek eatery..

Damn language phonetics.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Anonymous Coward, 19 Jul 2012 @ 7:19am

What is this Olympic Gyro restaurant you keep talking about? I've not heard of this Olympic Gyro restaurant before. Surely the Olympic Gyro restaurant should be left alone as no one will confuse Olympic Gyro restaurant with the other summer games.

Olympic Gyro restaurant
Olympic Gyro restaurant
Olympic Gyro restaurant
Olympic Gyro restaurant
Olympic Gyro restaurant
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Vic (profile), 19 Jul 2012 @ 7:21am

I am sorry, but any global sporting event that feels threatened by a Gyro shop called Olympic Gyro really has had their day and should be allowed to die... I for one will stay as far away from London as possible to avoid even accidentally supporting it...

Absolutely disgusted at this...
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Greg G, 19 Jul 2012 @ 7:23am

Re:
because sports apparently is more important than the Higgs Boson (It's NOT, by the way.)

Sheldon? Is that you??
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Andrew (profile), 19 Jul 2012 @ 7:24am

This law exists in the UK too, but only for businesses started after 1995. I really wanted to buy an 'Olympic' cafe somewhere that had been running for the past 20ish years and then open trendy outlets all over London in time for the summer. Ah well.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Anonymous Coward, 19 Jul 2012 @ 7:24am

I'd expect nothing less from our friends at Amalgamated Twatwaffle.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Anonymous Coward, 19 Jul 2012 @ 7:26am

My town has an independent fast food place with the name Olympic in it. It predates the 1978 law. I wonder how long they have?

How can you copyright the name of a real place?
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Cory of PC (profile), 19 Jul 2012 @ 7:26am

Farts. That is all.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
jupiterkansas (profile), 19 Jul 2012 @ 7:28am

Re:
Or perhaps Coca-McDonalds?
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Anonymous Coward, 19 Jul 2012 @ 7:28am

Re:
Like all the extra cash and costs the hosting country (er taxpayers) hand over to the 'greek athletic competion'... In return for all the handouts the country (taxpayers) get a good screwing. So we should all be happy.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Dark Helmet (profile), 19 Jul 2012 @ 7:32am

Re:
Any businesses that opened prior to 1978 are grandfathered in and don't face having to rename....
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Cory of PC (profile), 19 Jul 2012 @ 7:33am

Re: Re: :)
The WNBA?
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Haywood (profile), 19 Jul 2012 @ 7:34am

Re:
That is because you are capable of intelligent, independent thought. Unfortunately the world seems to be headed toward an idiocracy. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0387808/
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Vog (profile), 19 Jul 2012 @ 7:36am

Hey Mike - Just want to point out it should be Phil[a]delphia in the title.

That said, we have a place around here with the same name, and I'd hate to see it get swatted by amalgamated twatwaffles...
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Travis, 19 Jul 2012 @ 7:37am

I will now hold my own olympics
I think my family will start a "shitalympics" and see who can shit the most in 24 hours. How's that for denigrating your stupid ass games?
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Anonymous Coward, 19 Jul 2012 @ 7:41am

Why haven't they harassed the large companies infringing on the publicity rights of a historic competition?
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?]
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Language Patrol, 19 Jul 2012 @ 7:41am

Re: Re: Re:
If you pronounce "saw" with an 'L', you're doing it wrong.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Anonymous Coward, 19 Jul 2012 @ 7:44am

Re: Re: Re: Re:
Probably just regular curling.

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
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Andrew (profile), 19 Jul 2012 @ 7:44am

Re: Re:
I believe DOJ is currently drawing up an extradition request...

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...)
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Mason Wheeler, 19 Jul 2012 @ 7:54am

Re:
Meh. They lost all legitimacy when they decided to hold the games in China. I haven't cared about them since then.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Dave (profile), 19 Jul 2012 @ 8:03am

Re: Hero-worship
I still watch sports -- soccer and basketball, mostly -- but I don't view athletes as heroes so much as entertainers. Modern games are just another form of entertainment, like movies and TV. The catch is that anyone can play these games, and most of the people who watch HAVE played them in some form or another. So watching the best of the best play will appeal to anyone who enjoys the game in general.

(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.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Anonymous Coward, 19 Jul 2012 @ 8:08am

Re: Re: Re: :)
No he doesn't watch the "Woman-Man basketball association" you know the new trans-sexual league.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Rick Smith (profile), 19 Jul 2012 @ 8:09am

My sad attempt at trolling...
Greece needs something to stabilize their finances, so they should just reclaim the Olympics. Call it a copyright extension, I mean Disney does it all of the time, so why not an extension of a few thousand years?
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Anonymous Coward, 19 Jul 2012 @ 8:11am

Re: Rename it
Really I would have just turned the c into an a.

Olympia Gyro problem solved with half a roll of ducktape
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Niall (profile), 19 Jul 2012 @ 8:12am

Re: Re:
That's ok, it's Philly, we can just send in the zombies...
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Robert (profile), 19 Jul 2012 @ 8:13am

Re: Re:
Now THAT is a good idea.

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.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Niall (profile), 19 Jul 2012 @ 8:16am

Re: Hmmm
It looks like they 'stole' the idea for the rings from Dunlop - could we get an IP fight going? That would be soooo cool!

(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Olympic_rings#Olympic_rings)
[ link to this | view in thread ]
JustMe (profile), 19 Jul 2012 @ 8:18am

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
Olympic Gyro restaurant

I can also say this - the USOC is a bunch of Dirty rotten rabbit-raping rectal rogues?
[ link to this | view in thread ]
ottonomy (profile), 19 Jul 2012 @ 8:19am

A Word From Our Sponsors (Coca-Cola and McDonald's)
The USOC should do everything in its power to make sure the names Coca-Cola and McDonald's show up in every news article detailing some asshole thing they did. After all, they're paying good money to be associated with the Olympics.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Anonymous Coward, 19 Jul 2012 @ 8:22am

Apple, Windows, Olympic, i(EVERYTHING), Easy(EVERYTHING), Olympic EVERYTHING,... Rampant privatization and corporate landgrab on our most common good -language- continues.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
velox (profile), 19 Jul 2012 @ 8:30am

Re: Disgusting
A few weeks ago Seth Godin had something to say about the Olympic committees' ongoing attempts to scrub every single unlicensed use of the word Olympic from the language. He said they have "completely missed the point of what a brand is. It's not a word.
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.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
el_segfaulto (profile), 19 Jul 2012 @ 8:34am

Re: Re:
Is that anywhere near [REDACTED]-ia, Washington? Or is that closer to [REDACTED] Mons, the largest volcano in the solar system.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Anonymous Coward, 19 Jul 2012 @ 8:38am

Re: Re: Disgusting
Amen brother!
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Anonymous Coward, 19 Jul 2012 @ 8:40am

Leave our minds alone
Sometimes I just feel like yelling: words, ideas, knowledge, opinions, history, art CAN NOT BE APPROPRIATED, you don't belong here, leave it and just keep on selling actual goods and services!
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Anonymous Coward, 19 Jul 2012 @ 8:44am

best response?
I understand why it isn't worth his while, but I wish Athens would refuse. What is the USOC going to do? Sue him? We've seen how well that worked for the record companies. The more pressure they try to apply to this guy, the worse they look.

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.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Gryzor (profile), 19 Jul 2012 @ 8:49am

What about Olympia...
If it's got the rings in its logo it's somewhat problematic, but I'm waiting for the day that the World OC or what-it's-called descents in Greece and tried to shut down all the places that use "olympic" in their names. You see, the Olympics did get their name, after all, after a small place called Olympia. "Olympic" doesn't automatically mean "olympic games"!
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Anonymous Coward, 19 Jul 2012 @ 8:53am

Re:
It's a lot easier to be a fat loser whining about sports than it is to be an athlete. If it's "not exactly brain surgery" then why don't you go show everyone how easy it is and grab a medal? Unless you're too busy with actual brain surgery, that is.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Anonymous Coward, 19 Jul 2012 @ 8:55am

I love it when people don't bother to click on links and see images.

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.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Dark Helmet (profile), 19 Jul 2012 @ 8:56am

Re:
The problem with your argument is that none of the angst by the parties in the article has anything to do w/the rings. It has to do with the name Olympic. If the USOC had only had an issue w/the rings, this story would have been written very different.

Nice try, though...
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Anonymous Coward, 19 Jul 2012 @ 9:00am

@Dark Helmet - On the contrary. If you are a member of the International Olympic Committee walking into the gyro joint, you see the rings right in your face. That's the reason the joint got served; a combined mark infringement for the rings, with the word 'Olympic'. The latter is not a problem, just visit Olympic dot com.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Anonymous Coward, 19 Jul 2012 @ 9:02am

Re: Re:
In Vancouver, "Olympic Pizza" managed to get the Vancouver Olympic Committee to back down on getting them to change their name. They even had the Olympic logo of interlocked circles on their sign. This was for the 2010 Winter games, I believe the store was opened in the 90s.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Anonymous Coward, 19 Jul 2012 @ 9:05am

What's up Techdirt, no link love to the original article with photos? http://articles.philly.com/2012-07-12/news/32633390_1_usoc-lunch-counter-olympic-sports
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Anonymous Coward, 19 Jul 2012 @ 9:08am

Re:
In Vancouver, "Olympic Pizza" managed to get the Vancouver Olympic Committee to back down on their threats of lawsuits to get them to remove Olympic from their name. The store even had the Olympic logo of interlocked circles on their sign. This was for the 2010 Winter games.

But then again, this happened in Canada not the US. =P
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Tunnen (profile), 19 Jul 2012 @ 9:10am

Re: Re:
Just noticed I was signed out...
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Tunnen (profile), 19 Jul 2012 @ 9:11am

Re: Re: Re:
^ Was me, I only just now noticed I wasn't logged in...
[ link to this | view in thread ]
John Fenderson (profile), 19 Jul 2012 @ 9:18am

Re: Re: Hero-worship
All well & good, but for a lot of years, "sports" is not the first thing that comes to mind when I think of the Olympics. "Oppressive combination of government and corporation" is what I think of.

The Olympics themselves directly insults athleticism and the athletes that take part in them.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
John Fenderson (profile), 19 Jul 2012 @ 9:20am

Re:
That seems unlikely, but even if it's true -- so what?
[ link to this | view in thread ]
John Fenderson (profile), 19 Jul 2012 @ 9:25am

Re:
If that's the case, then why are they apparently objecting solely to the use of the word "Olympic?" If it's the rings that are the problem, wouldn't they have just demanded that the restaurant just stop using the rings?
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Anonymous Coward, 19 Jul 2012 @ 9:27am

@John - Why not go all out, once you've discovered that your tm is being violated? They could have asked for money as well. The C&D is a serving, a warning if you may. The gyro joint did not have to comply, but they knew they had no case since they used both the rings and the Olympic term.

Moral of the story: consult an IP attorney whey planning to name a business.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Anonymous Coward, 19 Jul 2012 @ 9:40am

A true, Olympic sized tragedy. Common sense again bites the dust. Glad I learned my lesson about those jerks decades ago. Saved me a BUNCH of money. Sponsors, beware!
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Anonymous Coward, 19 Jul 2012 @ 9:46am

Re:
Please try reading Techdirt's articles before denouncing them for not including links. Doing so may lead you to find the links.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Dark Helmet (profile), 19 Jul 2012 @ 9:47am

Re:
"The latter is not a problem, just visit Olympic dot com."

Um, the USOC specifically ordered them to change the name, so, yeah, it's a problem....
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Anonymous Coward, 19 Jul 2012 @ 9:52am

Re:
Yes because until now I thought that the olympics were held at that gyro place. I was only ever eating there to support curling.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Anonymous Coward, 19 Jul 2012 @ 9:53am

Re: Re: Re: Re:
all saw -became- sall
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Anonymous Coward, 19 Jul 2012 @ 9:54am

Re:
Those were onion rings.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Anonymous Coward, 19 Jul 2012 @ 9:57am

Re:
Citation. I find no reference to them having to repaint anything or mention of them using the logo, only that they have demanded they change the name.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Vic, 19 Jul 2012 @ 10:14am

Shame on USOC!
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Bergman (profile), 19 Jul 2012 @ 10:47am

I wonder what the USOC would make of a certain mountain range in western Washington state? Do the Olympic Mountains infringe upon their copyright? Does the Olympic Peninsula?
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Anonymous Coward, 19 Jul 2012 @ 11:10am

Re: Re:
comparing those puppy kicking terrorist dirtbags to rimjob lovers is offensive to rimjob lovers.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
fb39ca4 (profile), 19 Jul 2012 @ 11:13am

Re:
No, Ridiculousness of [REDACTED] porportion.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Seriously......, 19 Jul 2012 @ 11:30am

Didnt believe it till i looked
(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.

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.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Daibhid C, 19 Jul 2012 @ 11:34am

It's nice to know that the ludicriousness we Brits are having with LOCOG and their over-zealous defending of anything that could conceivably be an Olympic trademark (including "Summer 2012") is being shared by other countries. And by "nice", I mean "horrifying".
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Oblate (profile), 19 Jul 2012 @ 12:03pm

Re:
Which one of these rings is the closest to yours? Sounds like it's time for some Photoshop (or Gimp) fun...

Oh yeah- kitten-stomping, fascist, terrorist supporting, nazi, SOPA-sucking, butterfly-ripping SOB's also at the above link.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Lindsay, 19 Jul 2012 @ 12:28pm

Re: Re: Disgusting
Here's the thing: if they don't actively pursue infringements on a trademark on minor issues, they can loose the ability to fight against it at all.

Here is a great blog post about the Ravelympics trademark issue.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
drew (profile), 19 Jul 2012 @ 12:39pm

Re: Re:
"a moron in a hurry, or a lawyer."
I don't think these are mutually exclusive terms.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
minijedimaster (profile), 19 Jul 2012 @ 12:39pm

Re:
From TFA:

"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."
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Anonymous Coward, 19 Jul 2012 @ 12:50pm

Re: Re:
rel="Nofollow"

sorry guys, not going to work here.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
AC Cobra, 19 Jul 2012 @ 12:57pm

Re: What about the Olympic Mountains?
I propose we change the name to "USOC Sucks" range
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Kuroyume (profile), 19 Jul 2012 @ 1:19pm

Pepsi only!
Hopefully the owner of this establishment doesn't have to pay extra money to switch from selling Coke products to Pepsi.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Anonymous Coward, 19 Jul 2012 @ 1:22pm

Re: Re:
Zeusburgers FTW
[ link to this | view in thread ]
One Nemesis (profile), 19 Jul 2012 @ 1:34pm

Re: What about the Olympic Mountains?
It seems the �Ted Stevens Amateur Sports Act� (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ted_Stevens_Olympic_and_Amateur_Sports_Act) could come into play here.
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.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Anonymous Coward, 19 Jul 2012 @ 1:45pm

Fuck the Olympics!
[ link to this | view in thread ]
xenomancer (profile), 19 Jul 2012 @ 2:16pm

Re: Re: Re: Disgusting
On the other hand, what THEY COULD do is PROVIDE REASONABLE LICENSING OPTIONS to those using the word in what would otherwise be a completely innocuous manner AND NOT LITIGATE unless there was tangible proof of harm to or false association with their brand.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
xenomancer (profile), 19 Jul 2012 @ 2:24pm

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re:
Ninja speaks in RPN? Impress Yoda he would.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
xenomancer (profile), 19 Jul 2012 @ 2:38pm

Re:
You forgot e(EVERYTHING), but no one wants that shit from the 90's anyway.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Anonymous Coward, 19 Jul 2012 @ 3:37pm

Ther is an Olympic National Park in Washington state, I guess they will have to change the name to "Copyright Infringement National Park" after all no infringement can be tolerated.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
mudlock (profile), 19 Jul 2012 @ 3:57pm

Needs to be 62 years old or in western Washington
Everyone claiming that "Olympia, Washington is next" hasn't read the law; it has exceptions:

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.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
hmm (profile), 19 Jul 2012 @ 6:43pm

confused
I don't understand why ANYONE is bothered about the Olympics.

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!
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Anonymous Coward, 20 Jul 2012 @ 1:35am

This remind me of the stink when Warner Brothers tried to shut down production of the Marx Brothers' "A Night in Casablanca" because it sounded like their classic "Casablanca." Groucho responded in hilarious style wanting to know if it was okay to use the word 'brothers' in their Marx Brothers act and congratulating Warners for having been there x thousand years earlier for the founding of the city of Casablanca..
[ link to this | view in thread ]
A. Nnoyed (profile), 20 Jul 2012 @ 5:18am

Same old Olympic Committee abuse.
This is nothing new. I still remember that during the Olympic games in Atlanta in 1986 the Olympic committee sued a restaurant named the Olympic something to force them to change their name. The restaurant had been in business for I believe longer than the one in Philadelphia and the name was registered by owner as a trademark. The problem was that like the victims of copyright trolls the restaurant owner could not afford the cost to defend the good name of his restaurant. The restaurant owner should have sued the Olympic Committee and demanded that they change their name. Remember the financially strong can always beat up the financially weak.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
G Boyer, 20 Jul 2012 @ 6:03am

Olympic Committee
I'm just a little Pi$$ed off about this, I got to looking around on the Internet and there a lot of placed that have Olympic in their company title. Why single this guy out? There are Olympic Gyro eating places all over the United States. There also is the "Olympic National Park" in Washington State. I just can not understand why the "Committee" isn't going after them as well, but this is how "Bullies" do things they go after the weakest!
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Cory of PC (profile), 20 Jul 2012 @ 7:27am

Re: Re: Re: Re: :)
Ah... that's probably why I never heard of it!
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Olympic my Ass, 20 Jul 2012 @ 1:24pm

USOC
USUK clearly a case that should be fought in the courtyard. This stinks of everything except olympic attitude, pride strength and everything that would make an olympian great.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Really, 22 Jul 2012 @ 5:22am

Re: Re: Disgusting
That's it! That's IT!! Where can I sign THAT Petition?? >:-D
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Limpics, 22 Jul 2012 @ 5:33am

Re: Re: Re: Re: Disgusting
A bunch of us old farts have discussed this new organization. "Limpics" will have its first sporting competition where qualified geezers and gimpers limp around and randomly throw a horseshoe at someone's feet from a distance of about 12 ft.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Anonymous Coward, 22 Jul 2012 @ 9:24pm

Re:
Considering the vast amounts of overlap and the fact that even IP holders themselves cannot be trusted over what constitutes as fair hiring an attorney is not as reliable as you seem to be thinking. You're assuming that the IP attorney's research is definitely sufficient to avoid such issues. Plus, you're also assuming people have the money to spend on IP attorneys every time they have a business or are attempting to come up with a new product.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Rourke (profile), 30 Jul 2012 @ 7:00am

These sort of issues actually impacted my own family a few years ago. My first cousin, who has been in various bands throughout his adult life, headed up a band called The Olympic Hopefuls. He received a cease-and-desist letter from the USOC and was forced to change his band's name to The Hopefuls.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
AlexNagy (profile), 3 Aug 2012 @ 7:35am

Ugh
This is why I will no longer watch the Olympics or do anything to directly support the games or the athletes.

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.
[ link to this | view in thread ]