21 July 2008

Republicans Try To Suppress Use of GOP

The Republican National Committee is threatening to use trademark law to prevent Cafe Press from using "GOP" and a patriotically themed elephant in political paraphenalia.

Given the political nature of the speech involved, and the widespread use of these icons to describe their party, I doubt that this threat will go anywhere. But, it does illustrate, once again, the use of business torts for illegitimate purposes of intimidation.

Few, if any, of the products, which are mostly satires and quips, show any sign of a claim that they are affiliated with the RNC or one of its affiliates.

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