Olympic Athletes Told To Cover Apple Logos On Devices So Apple Doesn't Get Any Free Promotion

from the this-post-brought-to-you-by-olympic-censorship dept

Thu, Feb 6th 2014 10:02am — Mike Masnick

For many years, we've pointed out the absolutely insane lengths the Olympics goes through to abuse trademark law to insane levels. It often requires host countries to pass special laws that give the Olympics powers that go beyond traditional trademark laws. And then, it does things like covering up the logos on toilets and sinks with tape, because those companies don't pay to be sponsors. It even launched an investigation at the last Olympics after it was discovered that athletes were having sex with non-sponsor condoms (Durex was the sponsor, but the condoms were not). Way back in 2006, we talked about how Apple was getting "free promotion" at the Olympics because tons of athletes were walking around using iPods with the iconic white earbuds, and reporters would ask them what they were listening to. We joked about the Olympic Committee telling athletes not to use Apple products.

Except, our joke has almost become reality. Apparently, athletes are being told to cover the Apple logo on any electronics they have, because Samsung is the big consumer electronics sponsor for this Olympics, and the Olympic Committee can't let any brand possibly get free support. And, apparently, because the Olympic Committee thinks everyone in the world is a moron who won't recognize that a MacBook with a piece of tape over the Apple is still a MacBook.

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Filed Under: apple logo, olympics, sponsors, sponsorships
Companies: apple, samsung

69 Comments

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That One Guy (profile), 6 Feb 2014 @ 8:18am

When all you have is a hammer...
And, apparently, because the Olympic Committee thinks everyone in the world is a moron who won't recognize that a MacBook with a piece of tape over the Apple is still a MacBook.

Since they apparently can't see anything but logos, trademarks and money, they probably assume everyone else is similarly blind.
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anon, 6 Feb 2014 @ 10:14am

looks
Other than the logo i would not be able to tell the difference between an ipad and any other silver color backed tablet, it is only the fanboys that notice the shape and size and color of say an apple product compared to a acer tablet and laptop or net-book. Remove the logo and Apple do in fact lose a hell of a lot of free advertising, this is one case of overdoing it that i actually think is reasonable, Apple logo does get noticed becasue it is so well known and so unique to others, just another reason that Apple should not have won in the courts when they said their ipad would or could be confused with a samsung device.
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Anonymous Coward, 6 Feb 2014 @ 10:19am

I was wondering how long it was going to be before you did an IOC post.
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out_of_the_blue, 6 Feb 2014 @ 10:21am

Good! -- And just exactly WHICH corporations do YOU allow to use Techdirt to promote?
Notice the word "allows", kids: obviously Mike chose to run this item.

But, OH, any corporation posting its URL here without Mike okaying it, that's SPAM! -- Same principle for the profit-making corporation known as Olympics. It's actually Mike who isn't consistent.

Here for your delectation is the tagline that started them all:
Take a loopy tour of Techdirt.com! Old assertions prove new assertions! (1 of 200)

06:20:46[h-401-1]
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Internet Zen Master (profile), 6 Feb 2014 @ 10:23am

face, meet palm
And this is one of the (many) reasons why Olympic Committee is a goddamn joke. [Also, possibly more corrupt than your average Russian politician].

So what are they supposed to do if one of the athletes is an Apple die-hard zealot who has the Apple logo tattooed somewhere on his body that can't be easily covered up?
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Anonymous Coward, 6 Feb 2014 @ 10:24am

Re: Good! -- And just exactly WHICH corporations do YOU allow to use Techdirt to promote?
I pushed the report button to censor your comment cuz I'm a kiddie ankle biter fanboy.
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out_of_the_blue, 6 Feb 2014 @ 10:27am

Re: Re: Good! -- And just exactly WHICH corporations do YOU allow to use Techdirt to promote?
@ "Anonymous Coward"
I pushed the report button to censor your comment cuz I'm a kiddie ankle biter fanboy.

First step to recovery is to admit the problem.

But you too are to be censored for responding:

This is from one of the oh-so-reasonable Techdirt fanboys:
When will commentors learn? How long is it going to take for everyone who comments here to learn that by responding to OOTB that you're GIVING HIM EXACTLY WHAT HE WANTS: attention!

Evidence here: "Yet they can't keep from commenting at me"

It's about time people learn to

REPORT OOTB AND EVERYONE WHO RESPONDS TO HIM

Those "conversations" add NOTHING OF VALUE to the site and are DRIVING PEOPLE AWAY FROM TECHDIRT (myself included soon if something isn't done to reign in this nuisance)

http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20140204/07522126085/new-zealand-spy-agency-deleted-evidence-about- its-illegal-spying-kim-dotcom.shtml#c341
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Anonymous Coward, 6 Feb 2014 @ 10:30am

Hmmm
Since the US no longer restricts their Olympic teams to "amateur athletes" my question is how do they handle the professional athletes that have their own contractual endorsement deals with competing sponsors? What if the athlete already had a contractual obligation to Apple? What then?
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Christenson, 6 Feb 2014 @ 10:31am

Does this mean we have to cover up five-ringed logos everywhere?
Or maybe we should just censor the olympics? Anyone remember Salt Lake City? Me, I have a feeling I won't be watching any...after getting the same feelings about Apple after their silly patent battles and my iPad crashing apps with depressing regularity.
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Anonymous Coward, 6 Feb 2014 @ 10:36am

Re: Hmmm
I remember a story some years ago when Tom Brady (sponsored by Underarmour) got some flak for taping over a Nike (sponsor of the NFL) logo on his jacket during a postgame press conference.

We can expect a similar story this year where the tape (mandated by the IOC, or chosen by the athlete, depending on what it's covering) becomes a bigger story than any logo would have been.
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That One Guy (profile), 6 Feb 2014 @ 10:39am

Re: face, meet palm
Well obviously at that point there's only two options, 1) Always cover that portion of their skin up, so the logo could never be seen, or 2) Surgically remove that section of skin, so the logo(and flesh) is no longer there, because we can't have companies getting publicity without paying out the nose for it of course! /s
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out_of_the_blue, 6 Feb 2014 @ 10:40am

Whack-a-mole REPOST! -- Good! -- And just exactly WHICH corporations do YOU allow to use Techdirt to promote?
Notice the word "allow", kids: obviously Mike chose to run this item.

But, OH, any corporation posting its URL here without Mike okaying it, that's SPAM! -- Same principle for the profit-making corporation known as Olympics. It's actually Mike who isn't consistent. \
All the news you saw last week on other sites, re-written to cherry pick points that fit Mike's agenda. (3 of 200)

06:39:58[h-522-4]
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out_of_the_blue, 6 Feb 2014 @ 10:42am

Help teh internets work around blockage!
Unblocking comments here on Techdirt (also useful in general).

Because kids here are trying to decide what you see -- classic censoring though they won't admit it, what censor does? -- I'm stirred to give those who don't want to be controlled by the little sneaks these tips so you don't have to put up with waste of time clicking to see all comments.
First, everyone should turn off javascript as matter of course. It's the main method of tracking, giving Google and other mega-corporations enough details to uniquely identify. -- Definitely also turn off cookies, rarely needed.

But NoScript makes it easy to allow websites on as-needed basis so don't lose any "function" (nearly always UN-necessary, only forced on you for tracking). You should be using Firefox, so install the "NoScript" extension:

http://noscript.net/

Be sure to remove Google and its parasites from NoScript whitelist! That's paid-for sneaking in of the WORST corporate SNOOPS.

For convenience only: Firefox extension PrefBar gives buttons to control cookies (again, those are "required" sheerly for tracking) and other items in unused space at top of browser. -- I've a button to toss my cookies the instant not required.

https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/prefbar/

To avoid most advertising and tracking, get and install "hosts" file from:

http://www.mvps.org/winhelp2002/hosts.htm

Very simple: automated for Windows; in Linux just replace the "hosts" file (somewhere that don't recall beyond "/etc": easily found).

I think it's necessary to add "cdn.techdirt.com" to the hosts file to avoid the click, and desirable in any case to not be advertised at. Also add "googleads.b.doubleclick.net", quite annoying.
Mike may sell a few T-shirts with Techdirt logo, but I bet his lunch dates are open. (5 of 200)

06:42:37[h-765-1]
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Sunhawk (profile), 6 Feb 2014 @ 10:47am

Re: Re: Re: Good! -- And just exactly WHICH corporations do YOU allow to use Techdirt to promote?
Martyr complexes are terrible to see
Which is what you pursue with some glee
In truth we care little
Your ego is brittle
A vague amusement is all you'll be.
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DannyB (profile), 6 Feb 2014 @ 10:48am

Re: Help teh internets work around blockage!
> Because kids here are trying to decide what you see

No kids here. That's probably one of the many reasons you get blocked.
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jupiterkansas (profile), 6 Feb 2014 @ 10:50am

Re: Re: Re: Re: Good! -- And just exactly WHICH corporations do YOU allow to use Techdirt to promote?
Cute, but really, why give him so much attention?
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DannyB (profile), 6 Feb 2014 @ 10:51am

What about Android logos?
What about Samsung, HTC, LG, Motorola, Sony logos? Blackberry?

Do you need to cover the screen when your BRAND-X laptop, phone or tablet is rebooted because a logo appears?

What about the Microsoft logo? Start menu button? What about icons on the desktop that are logos of various software companies or logos?

What if a paperback book has a logo of the publisher on its cover?

What about logos or brand names on athletes' luggage?
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scotts13 (profile), 6 Feb 2014 @ 10:52am

No good answer
I was trying to type up a rational, logical policy to cover 'unapproved' logos, then realized the subject is not going to be addressed with either rationality or logic.

Make me king for a day, and the policy would be that logos could be freely displayed on items that 1. Were paid for by the owner, and 2. The owner did not and will not receive payment for displaying them.

You bought an Apple laptop - OK
Apple gave you a laptop - Not OK
You have an Apple sticker on your clipboard - OK
Apple paid you to put a sticker there - Not OK

However, the Olympic Committee almost certainly accepted additional money to keep any other logo out of sight, so that's all out the window.
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DannyB (profile), 6 Feb 2014 @ 10:52am

Re: What about Android logos?
What about eyeglasses? Hearing aids? Walking canes and assistive devices?
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jupiterkansas (profile), 6 Feb 2014 @ 10:52am

Re: Re: Help teh internets work around blockage!
The child is screaming for attention, and you're just giving it to him by replying.
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Anonymous Coward, 6 Feb 2014 @ 10:53am

Nothing new, but sort of dumb...
I see this regularly on TV shows, commercials and movies, so it doesn't surprise me. I wonder what the Olympic committee can really do though, penalize an athlete for non-sponsored gear?
If I was an Apple marketing person, I would simply give out free iPods and laugh about it. It certainly gave the condom market in Australia a boost 9)
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Shadow Dragon (profile), 6 Feb 2014 @ 10:54am

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Good! -- And just exactly WHICH corporations do YOU allow to use Techdirt to promote?
He's suicidal
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DannyB (profile), 6 Feb 2014 @ 10:55am

Re: Nothing new, but sort of dumb...
I can think of a logical rational way to address this.

How about wearing a t-shirt that loudly proclaims:

Nothing I have is a product of any sponsor of this organized aporting event.

Small print: that way I don't have to worry about disclaiming or covering every individual logo. Just disclaim them all at once, loudly. (If you sponsor the Olympics, I won't buy your product -- to simplify my life.)
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h, 6 Feb 2014 @ 10:59am

Basic jurisprudence:

Samsung could not have entered into contract with Committee, wich gives away rights of third parties. And no, Olympics are not private for this purpose.

If we allow that legal crap, then next thing you know Mr Lee Kun-hee will usurp right to eat you dog by signing Samsung with Google. I say: Kun change you name to Woo De Fuck. Because that's what you are.

BTW, for the past decade this is SOP amongst evil multinationals.
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Anonymous Coward, 6 Feb 2014 @ 11:04am

Next joke to become a reality next Olympics
(Next joke to become a reality next Olympics below)

Well hey, at least they're just saying to cover up the logo's. It's not like they're seizing all the apple products as if they were illegal goods. And it's like they're removing the toilets and sinks from non-sponsers simply because they know a piece of tape isn't good enough.

That could NEVER happen, right?
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limbodog (profile), 6 Feb 2014 @ 11:13am

The joke's on you
"It even launched an investigation at the last Olympics after it was discovered that athletes were having sex with non-sponsor condoms (Durex was the sponsor, but the condoms were not)."

This is actually a perfect recreation of how the original olympics were back in ancient Greece. They didn't care for Trojans then, either.
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out_of_the_blue, 6 Feb 2014 @ 11:15am

Google Rocks!
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Anonymous Coward, 6 Feb 2014 @ 11:16am

Re: Re: Hmmm
Imagine in 2016 at the Summer Olympics in Rio, where golf will again be an Olympic sport, that Callaway or Acushnet (Titleist) becomes an official sponsor, the shit fit Nike would have because Tiger can't walk around during that time (even when he's not competing) wearing their or even his own brand (which is really theirs.)
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Anonymous Coward, 6 Feb 2014 @ 11:17am

somebody please trademark a taped over apple logo
[ link to this | view in thread ]
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out_of_the_blue, 6 Feb 2014 @ 11:20am

Help teh internets work around blockage!
Unblocking comments here on Techdirt (also useful in general).

Because kids here are trying to decide what you see -- classic censoring though they won't admit it, what censor does? -- I'm stirred to give those who don't want to be controlled by the little sneaks these tips so you don't have to put up with waste of time clicking to see all comments.
First, everyone should turn off javascript as matter of course. It's the main method of tracking, giving Google and other mega-corporations enough details to uniquely identify. -- Definitely also turn off cookies, rarely needed.

But NoScript makes it easy to allow websites on as-needed basis so don't lose any "function" (nearly always UN-necessary, only forced on you for tracking). You should be using Firefox, so install the "NoScript" extension:

http://noscript.net/

Be sure to remove Google and its parasites from NoScript whitelist! That's paid-for sneaking in of the WORST corporate SNOOPS.

For convenience only: Firefox extension PrefBar gives buttons to control cookies (again, those are "required" sheerly for tracking) and other items in unused space at top of browser. -- I've a button to toss my cookies the instant not required.

https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/prefbar/

To avoid most advertising and tracking, get and install "hosts" file from:

http://www.mvps.org/winhelp2002/hosts.htm

Very simple: automated for Windows; in Linux just replace the "hosts" file (somewhere that don't recall beyond "/etc": easily found).

I think it's necessary to add "cdn.techdirt.com" to the hosts file to avoid the click, and desirable in any case to not be advertised at. Also add "googleads.b.doubleclick.net", quite annoying.

Where the fanboys troll the site with vulgar ad hom, and call anyone disagreeing "trolls"! (7 of 201)

07:20:43[i-401-7]
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out_of_the_blue, 6 Feb 2014 @ 11:22am

Re: Re: Help teh internets work around blockage!
@ "DannyB" -- QUIT READING AND REPLYING TO MY POSTS!
"The Techdirt Community" forbids you to reply to me. No "freedom of association" here. You must accept the Group Will of these "libertarians". (201 of 201)

07:21:50[i-442-5]
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out_of_the_blue, 6 Feb 2014 @ 11:25am

Re: Re: Re: Help teh internets work around blockage!
@ "jupiterkansas" -- Now, listen, sonny. All I want is to be let comment without being censored by childish mis-use of "report" to hide my posts.

If you kids can't stand to skip over a little bit of text, that speaks volumes. I'm just on a tear here so that reasonable people won't be fooled by lying little kids who claim they're for "free speech" but actually are tyrants to extent of their "report" button power.
"The Techdirt Community" forbids you to reply to me. No "freedom of association" here. You must accept the Group Will of these "libertarians". (201 of 201)

07:25:09[i-626-0]
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out_of_the_blue, 6 Feb 2014 @ 11:27am

2nd whack-a-mole REPOST! -- And just exactly WHICH corporations do YOU allow to use Techdirt to promote?
Notice the word "allow", kids: obviously Mike chose to run this item.

But, OH, any corporation posting its URL here without Mike okaying it, that's SPAM! -- Same principle for the profit-making corporation known as Olympics. It's actually Mike who isn't consistent.

Visitors, you too will get this if dare disagree with The Mike: "REPORT OOTB AND EVERYONE WHO RESPONDS TO HIM"
http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20140204/07522126085/new-zealand-spy-agency-deleted-evidence-about- its-illegal-spying-kim-dotcom.shtml#c341 (196 of 201)

07:27:11[i-730-2]
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Anonymous Coward, 6 Feb 2014 @ 11:36am

Re: Re: Re: Re: Help teh internets work around blockage!
then stop ranting and start commenting you little dipshit. But for that you would have to form coherent thoughts.

You realize that with your repetitive, ignorant, off topic bullshit you would even fail the turing test?

In university I had conversations with scripts that were more lifelike.
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John Cressman, 6 Feb 2014 @ 11:50am

Cover it!
Yes... that's a good idea! I would cover up my apple device with an Apple sticker.

Anyone who supports or watches the Olympics supports this sort of fascist over controlling zealotry, in which case - reap what you sow.

Personally, I've refused to support the Money enterprise that stole the name Olympics for some time.
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PRMan, 6 Feb 2014 @ 11:55am

Re: Hmmm
This has already happened. Remember the Dream Team (Magic, Jordan and Bird) with the flag draped all over them. That was because of sponsor issues, not patriotism.
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PRMan, 6 Feb 2014 @ 11:55am

Re: What about Android logos?
Samsung is the sponsor, so they're OK. Everyone else should be covered up. That's the rules.
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Baldaur Regis (profile), 6 Feb 2014 @ 12:06pm

Any word on what brand is going to be the Official Olympics Censoring Tape? Gosh yes but I need some of that mojo for my kids.
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Anonymous Coward, 6 Feb 2014 @ 12:08pm

Re: No good answer
"I was trying to type up a rational, logical policy to cover 'unapproved' logos, then realized the subject is not going to be addressed with either rationality or logic."

I've alway wondered why the Olympics don't just collect a percentage of money athletes make from their sponsors? Then you can do commercials, boards, etc, etc and not worry so much about what the athletes say or do...
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Tim, 6 Feb 2014 @ 12:20pm

Grow up Olympic Committee!!
It's probably not the Olympic Committee members' faults. It's their parents' for giving them everything they whined for when they were selfish little brats. Now they're just selfish big brats.
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Eric Goebelbecker, 6 Feb 2014 @ 12:27pm

Of course it's equally possible...
...that Apple demanded their logos be covered so they are not associated with Sochi.
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Anonymous Anonymous Coward, 6 Feb 2014 @ 12:38pm

Re: Cover it!
Actually, I see an opportunity to market a series of stickers with 'witty' sayings mocking the puerile blocking of 'non-approved' logos. Maybe different shapes and/or colors denoting different manufacturers (some opportunity for wit there as well).

There's the idea. I declare it public domain. Someone, maybe near Sochi, take it to the bank.
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Anonymous Coward, 6 Feb 2014 @ 12:41pm

Whatsup with all the hidden comments? They dont look like the usual shilling
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Rubicant (profile), 6 Feb 2014 @ 12:44pm

You know things are bad when....
even articles reporting on the the Olympic committees investigation into unauthorized condoms is taken down due to copyright.

http://www.theguardian.com/sport/2012/aug/07/london-2012-condoms-olympic-village?CMP=twt_g u
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Anonymous Coward, 6 Feb 2014 @ 12:48pm

Re:
Ootb has ramped up his stupidity generator to maximum. Now he likes to holler about nonexistent censorship and abuse of the report button. I guess he ran out of rude things to say about the site, the author, etc.
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Anonymous Coward, 6 Feb 2014 @ 12:51pm

Re:
3M Duct Tape... for when you care enough to censor using the very best
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Anonymous Coward, 6 Feb 2014 @ 12:55pm

Re: You know things are bad when....
Wait this link says their copyright has expired...

This is madness, we all know copyright lasts life + 70 years and will continue to be extended into the future to keep Mickey Mouse covered, so there is no way that the copyright on anything produced in the last 100 years could have actually "expired".

Typical lying mainstream media trying to subtly convince the public that copyright can actually expire....

Silly Rabbit, Trix are for kids
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DannyB (profile), 6 Feb 2014 @ 1:25pm

Re: Re: Re: Help teh internets work around blockage!
OOTB wrote:
> @ "DannyB" -- QUIT READING AND REPLYING TO MY POSTS!

Here's an idea.

If you don't want me to read your posts, let along reply to them . . .

THEN DON'T POST THEM!

It would make you happy.
It would make me happy.
It would make everyone happy.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
hij (profile), 6 Feb 2014 @ 1:26pm

Apple Tape
Someone needs to start making tape that has images of apples on it.
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scotts13 (profile), 6 Feb 2014 @ 1:47pm

Re: You know things are bad when....
Most likely, they're using "copyright" incorrectly. Their limited license (from an outside source) has expired.
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Anonymous Coward, 6 Feb 2014 @ 1:47pm

Re: Re: Cover it!
I'd like to see them all take the opportunity to promote the EFF by covering the logo with EFF stickers.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Anonymous Coward, 6 Feb 2014 @ 1:50pm

Re: Re:
I guess he forgot to take his psyche meds again?
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Douglas (profile), 6 Feb 2014 @ 1:53pm

Olympic trademarks
When Washington state wanted the Winter Olympics, they were asked to rename the Olympic mountain range and restrict the countless businesses that have Olympic in their name.
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Wally (profile), 6 Feb 2014 @ 2:03pm

Re: looks
Well truth be told...we will be able to tell of it's an Apple product regardless because Apple was the only company asked to do this...Here's something about Samsung you didn't quite know...they make more than just electronic devices...they're also involved in several other industries including Natural Gas Compressors...the are also S. Korea's largest (if not the ONLY) news paper media outlet....

Now what gets me is why aren't the Olympic Committee members using Samsung products? I mean Samsung is sponsoring the events going on...

No...you see...the ONLY reason Samsung did this is because they had to pay for patent infringements on 3G antenna patents owned by Infineon..
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That One Guy (profile), 6 Feb 2014 @ 2:27pm

Re: Olympic trademarks
How sad is it that I honestly can't tell if you're joking or not?
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Aitala (profile), 6 Feb 2014 @ 2:37pm

Article corrected...
MacRumors updated the story. Apple logos not banned...

http://www.macrumors.com/2014/02/06/sochi-athletes-may-use-iphones/

Eric
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DogBreath, 6 Feb 2014 @ 2:51pm

Re: Apple Tape
Or just tape a condom over it, but make sure it is a "approved official sponsor of the Olympics" condom. Wouldn't want someone to rip a condom off of your apple, especially one that is duct taped on....
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ahow628 (profile), 6 Feb 2014 @ 6:38pm

And, apparently, because the Olympic Committee thinks everyone in the world is a moron who won't recognize that a MacBook with a piece of tape over the Apple is still a MacBook.

Depends on how big of a hurry these morons are in. This is the Olympics after all, so they could be in quite the hurry.
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Anonymous Coward, 6 Feb 2014 @ 8:29pm

Re: face, meet palm
It might be in the TV broadcaster's contract that they have to fuzz out an athlete's non-Olympic-approved tattoos -- the same way a streaker's genitals are treated.
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McCrea (profile), 6 Feb 2014 @ 11:57pm

No Logos
I've always held the personal belief that logos devalued an item.
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ysth (profile), 7 Feb 2014 @ 5:03pm

if you must cover up the logos
I recommend http://geekz.co.uk/shop/store/show/schneier-sticker-0 (not sure if they are actually selling anymore; that webcomic is pining for the fjords).
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btrussell (profile), 7 Feb 2014 @ 10:50pm

Re: Re: face, meet palm
I pity Adams apple.
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trollificus (profile), 7 Feb 2014 @ 11:09pm

Re: Re: Hmmm
Please fill out the enclosed form clarifying exactly which brand of tape will you be using to cover up the logo. Your branding representatives should have advised you of the consequences of violating our agreement with 3M. Please see that you act accordingly.

Sincerely,
IOC Subcommittee on Squeezing Every Fucking Drop of Revenue Possible Out of This Noble Celebration of Sport (IOCSSEFDRPOTNCS)
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trollificus (profile), 7 Feb 2014 @ 11:34pm

Re: No Logos
Okay, I guess that's two of us now. It's a start.

I used to make it a point to address people wearing that ugly Hilfiger stuff with the name in that supersized font as "Tommy", and then ask "Well why do you have his shirt?"

I also questioned, back when this first started (70s? 80s?), what I was supposed to get in return for the free advertising. Somehow, the explanation, that I got some kind of 'cool cred' from people who judged such things based on the brand of clothing a person wore seemed absolutely paradoxical.

And so have avoided heavily logo'd clothing ever since.*

*-esp. the 'swoosh'. Somehow, overpriced products endorsed by ridiculously overpaid athletes, who were then given more huge sums of money for a 'contribution' to the product which in no way enhanced its utility or quality, while the people who actually produced the products were paid slave wages seemed...ummm...unsavory? contradictory? immoral? COMPLETELY, GLARINGLY, TOTALLY WRONG, maybe?
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btrussell (profile), 8 Feb 2014 @ 12:50am

Re: Re: No Logos
"I also questioned, back when this first started (70s? 80s?), what I was supposed to get in return for the free advertising."

I used to as well, sometimes still ask others, but I think you have to have the tattoo as well, on your forehead or both cheeks, to get paid. I should also point out that it needs to be on your face. I had inked a G and O on my left cheek and GLE on my right, but google wouldn't pay me as it wasn't facial.
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Anonymous Coward, 10 Feb 2014 @ 2:40am

Re: Samsung
Interesting. Another tidbit about Samsung that most people probably don't know:

All Samsung TVs starting with model year 2012 have hidden cameras in the front bezels, so that they, and their affiliates, ad infinitum, can watch you in your own home.
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Anonymous Coward, 10 Feb 2014 @ 3:19am

Re: Re: No Logos
Indeed, it has been posited that the 'swoosh' symbol is really just a whip in mid-swing.
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btrussell (profile), 11 Feb 2014 @ 6:46am

Re: Re: Samsung
Why only televisions?
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btrussell (profile), 11 Feb 2014 @ 6:52am

Re: Re: Re: No Logos
If no one gets that joke, I can only assume that the constitution was not rolled up before being shoved up your ass.
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