Comments on: The Faux-lympics – Londoners thumbing their nose at the Olympic Brand

By: Michael Grosheim

Michael Grosheim — Mon, 30 Jul 2012 13:50:58 +0000

More proof that big businesses and non-profits make up the rules as the go along. They can have all the brand-enforcement agents they want. Bottom line is any attempt to stop the use of certain words (London, Games, Summer, Two thousand and twelve, 2012, Twenty Twelve, Medals, Gold, Silver, Bronze and Sponsors from the list above) cannot be held up in court. These are words that are uncopyrightable and cannot be trademarked by themselves.

You cannot trademark ‘2012’ – for example – and then sue every calendar company for trademark or copyright infringement. I understand the need for the IOC wants to protect their brand at all cost, but you can’t beat down a restaurant that has a street side sign which reads, “Grab lunch before the Games.” There’s no infringement there.

Corporate a-holes being corporate a-holes. Nothing more, nothing less.

By: Elvis

Elvis — Fri, 27 Jul 2012 03:59:55 +0000

Nice, the Brits always find a way to bash America for one thing or the other, so much for sportmanship.

By: Peter Findley

Peter Findley — Thu, 26 Jul 2012 20:06:38 +0000

did two people really spell “rediculous” wrong? one of whom’s job i’m sure entails proper spelling to ensure marketing success.

By: Matt Marczel

Matt Marczel — Thu, 26 Jul 2012 01:13:46 +0000

Hahaha… That’s some pretty amusing material, and I agree those are some highly rediculous restrictions. How about the ‘England 2K12 August Sporting Events’?