MoveOn.org's thin skin
So it's not too surprising that the liberal advocacy group would be a mite touchy from all the blowback online, even though it should be used to the abuse by now. So touchy, in fact, that it's been sending out cease-and-desist letters to CafePress, a website that lets people offer custom-designed t-shirts, coffee mugs and the like for sale. Last week it demanded that the site remove eight items, arguing that they violated MoveOn's merchandising trademarks.
Trademark law doesn't confer monopoly rights over all uses of a registered phrase or symbol, however, and it wasn't created simply to protect the trademark owner's interests. Instead, it's designed to protect consumers against being misled or confused about brands. The courts have repeatedly ruled in favor of parodies and critiques; that's why www.famousbrandnamesucks.com doesn't violate famousbrandname's trademark. And most, if not all, of the items targeted by MoveOn were clearly designed to razz it, not to trick buyers into thinking they were the group's products.
Beyond that, it's amazing that MoveOn would try to squelch political speech. That's another clear purpose of the targeted items. Take, for example, this message on a t-shirt designed by a lifelong Democrat from Southern California:
General Petraeus has done more for this country than MoveOn.org. MoveOn.org, the worst friend a Democrat could have! Move Away from Move On!
To its credit, CafePress refused to take down five bumper stickers, and it reinstated a t-shirt that it had taken down briefly in response to MoveOn's initial request. "While we understand that negative commentary is unsavory, our shopkeepers’ parodies of the MoveOn.org trademark are permissible here, especially when one considers the First Amendment implications raised by the social and political importance of your organization, the policies it advocates, and the countervailing messages conveyed by the parodies," wrote Daniel Pontes of CafePress to Carrie Olson, MoveOn's chief operating officer. Olson had been the one requesting the takedown.
CafePress and MoveOn declined to discuss the episode on the record. The anonymous designer of the t-shirt mentioned above withdrew her creation anyway, explaining in a note on her CafePress page that she didn't want to fight "a large group with the money to run ads in the NY Times demeaning a four star general." Not that her t-shirts were flying off the virtual CafePress shelves; she'd yet to record her first sale after a week and a half on the site.
Perhaps the most delicious irony here is that MoveOn hasn't exactly been scrupulous in its regard to other people's intellectual property. After all, it seems to have borrowed the Petraeus/Betray Us rhyme from a familiar radio host -- without crediting him, of course.
Moveon is part of the overall communist/socialist circuit headed by the CPUSA and Democratic Socialists of America. Its sister is CODEPINK.
Too bad that Obama is a protege of these organisations. Chicago DSA is behind the win of Obama even 1996.
I guess this is the proper time to once and for all expose these third parties and NGOs working behind a socialist United Nations.
Posted by: seeker | June 18, 2008 at 08:15 AM
How can anyone think that the Petraeus add makes a good point? The add is not clever, nor does it say anything. It is nothing more than a simple rhyme that ANYBODY could have come up with in no more than 10 seconds thought. However, liberals are geniuses. They've realized something that most of us republicans haven't; most of the U.S. population are mindless idiots that base their moral and political beliefs on rhymes and shiny things. Considering the ridiculousness of liberals, if republicans started to prey on the citizens in the same manner, we could take down whole effen democratic party!
Posted by: wes | October 17, 2007 at 01:10 AM
Hm, Looks like TGTSNBN isn't the only thin-skinned one around here. Is this what passes for reasoned discourse? And don't say that because so-and-so does it that it's ok for you. Ad hominem attacks from either side, made without thinking through what you're trying to say, cheapens and coarsens all discussion and debate.
Posted by: LosAngelesObserver | October 02, 2007 at 04:28 AM
"Why does it comes as a surprise MoveOn.Org, a front for the drug dealer George Soros, wants Free Speech ended?This is a tenent of Liberalism. The L.A. Times, also Liberal, has no respect for Free Speech, either"
George Soros is a drug dealer?! That's the funniest thing I've heard in a while.
I take it all back--some of these politicos really do have a sense of humor!
Posted by: Ken Shultz | October 01, 2007 at 12:03 PM
Stalinists. Humorless, rigid, puritanical, authoritarian goose-steppers. May God preserve us from these proto-fascists.
Posted by: kevin | October 01, 2007 at 11:46 AM
Hey, Voldemort is probably trademarked,right. And besides, no matter how bad Voldemort was, unlike MoveOn, he did have several warm fuzzies --oh, that charm as he whipped around that cave.
But you can buy the hilarious parody of MoveOn over here at the http://cafepress.com/polistew in a fundraiser for the National Military Family Association, Inc. It also speaks for the First Amendment.
Posted by: Poli Stew Cafe | October 01, 2007 at 08:34 AM
"[W]e urge you, after consulting with Congress, and consistent with the U.S. Constitution and laws, to take necessary actions (including, if appropriate, air and missile strikes on suspect Iraqi sites) to respond effectively to the threat posed by Iraq's refusal to end its weapons of mass destruction programs." Letter to President Clinton, signed by Sens. Carl Levin, Tom Daschle, John Kerry, and others Oct. 9, 1998.
Posted by: et | October 01, 2007 at 06:45 AM
The difference here between what was said about Kerry and the Senator (by Rush Limbaugh) is the person who is the target of the ad or criticism. With regard to Kerry and the Senator made fun of by Limbaugh, these men are in the position they are in for personal gain, ie: becoming Senators or other elected officials, thereby inviting the criticism. These men put themselves out for display and essentially say, "I am good enough for you to let me tell you how to live." (Think passing laws, here). The other gentleman, General Petreaus (sp?) is a man who has spent his life in uniform, doing what he is ordered to do by the commander in chief, regardless of his affiliation, politically. He could go off and make money, or m arry into money, given his stature in life and society, but he instead chooses to go over to Iraq (unlike the political generals who retired instead), and he does his duty without question. He has not sought to put himself out there and say, look at me. He is doing the job asked of him by his commander in chief and his country. So, if you want to take a jab at the report, make fun of Bush, Cheney, or whomever you want, but to compare a politician with a man who has foregone life's luxuries to serve when asked, well, that is just offensive.
For those who refer to Kerry's service, remember this was not put at issue by anyone but him. He was the one to do what he did in the 60s and 70s and was the one who brought up his service when he was running for president. Nobody called up Lieutenant Kerry and said he was a coward or a traitor. They only did so of presidential candidate Kerry or Senator Kerry.
Have a great week.
Posted by: Rick | October 01, 2007 at 06:30 AM
I am just glad my vote counts every bit as much as the vote of one of moveon's supporters. You can hate this country all you want and decide not to acknowledge that if it werent for the lifelong dedication of Petreus you would not have that right. You can invite the president of Iran to speak at your University without acknowledging the fact that the very curriculum on the campus he was speaking at would not exist in his country. You can believe that if only Mr Obama could reason with him and Chavez the world would be a safer place. What you cannot do is convince me that you are not collectively trying to weaken our country and that the enemy is hoping you succeed so that they can pounce. I realize that if that day ever comes to pass you will find someway to blame Bush for it even if it is 30 years down the road.
Posted by: gudsport | October 01, 2007 at 06:22 AM
Leon, You are a tool, and I use that term advisely since the Balls often uses tools for useful purposes. In fact, are you sure your last name isn't Trotsky? John Kerry has done more to harm his country than most. The truths told against him were merely that--truths. His "wounds" in Vietnam were self-inflicted, minor and clearly didn't deserve the purple hearts that were his ticket back home so he could begin his political campaign to set himself up to run for future national office. He's a loser and so are you. Get over it, find a job where the french fry grease doesn't aggravate your acne, get a sense of humor, pull your head out of your a$$, and learn to be a true, contributing American. Just a thought. HB
Posted by: HarryBalls | October 01, 2007 at 06:17 AM
Why does it comes as a surprise MoveOn.Org, a front for the drug dealer George Soros, wants Free Speech ended?This is a tenent of Liberalism. The L.A. Times, also Liberal, has no respect for Free Speech, either
Posted by: The Outlander | October 01, 2007 at 06:13 AM
Hypocrites!
I guess "Crushing Disent" is Patriotic.
Posted by: carl | October 01, 2007 at 06:09 AM
Perhaps it is now time for MoveOn.org/ to "Move On" to the Trash Can of discredited American political organizations like the: Copperhead Democrats, the KKK and the American Nazi Party.
Posted by: Brannen Sanders | October 01, 2007 at 06:05 AM
We all know what a bunch of Bush-hating, George Soros-parrots the people of MoveOn.org are, so the nasty Petraeus ad didn't come as a complete shock.
The point that cannot be overlooked here is that by selling MoveOn the ad space at such a deep discount, while regularly denying any ad space to conservative organizations, the NY Times has proven to anyone with any common sense that it's nothing more than a biased liberal-left socialist rag, and that nothing printed on its pages as "news" can ever be taken seriously.
By the way, Alexei, how much of the $2M you claim MoveOn raised since their Petraeus ad can you prove DIDN'T come out of George Soros' pocket?
Posted by: veck | October 01, 2007 at 06:04 AM
Move on has only our years of military interevtion to thank for thier prent freedom
Posted by: maggie | October 01, 2007 at 06:01 AM
Leon,
No one cares about MoveOn running the ad, they certainly had the right to, just as the Swift Boat Captains did against Sen. Kerry, which by the way played out to be true against Kerry.
The difference is when the Dems came to the defense of Kerry you didn't see the Swift Boat Captains filing Cease and Desist letters. They didn't repress other's rights to speak against them.
So just as we are doing here, MoveOn.org either needs to put up or shut up when it comes to Freedom of Speech.
Posted by: P.T | October 01, 2007 at 06:01 AM
Rush is right: the left, typified by the commies at moveon.org and their willing submissives in the Dem party and liberal drive-by media are unpatriotic and quick to shut down anyone who dares cross them or disagree with them. How about truth-in-advertising, rename the party as the Un-Democratic Party.
Posted by: BoMeister | October 01, 2007 at 05:59 AM
Soros's Moron.org proves that the democrats have more than one Hsu.
Posted by: scrapiron | October 01, 2007 at 05:54 AM
Re Leon:
You stated "In retrospect, I'm surprised that the common ordinary US citizen would even care about the Moveon.org Petraues ad."
I would hazard to guess that most US citizens understand that the military is here to protect us against those who would destroy us if they could get away with it. Even you, Leon, as anti-military as you portray yourself. Most US citizens have clearly discerned the need for a military of citizen-soldiers. In spite of the veniality of our political "leaders" over the past 2+ centuries to misuse and abuse the military for questionable ends, most US citizens have a highly favorable opinion of the US military. Why? Because they are us. WE, the citizens of the US, are those that join the military. We do so for a simple reason. To protect our families, friends, and neighbors. Almost unanimously, most members of the military do NOT enjoy war. They do what they do because of the perceived need. In fact, the military greatly discourages those who glorify war and violence from joining. Most US citizens understand that you may condemn HOW the military is being used, but will not put up with condemning the military.
I'm sure you are finding my comments incredulous. I'm not surprised, as in my opinion, the concept of doing something for someone else is generally not a position to which most leftists ascribe. It's more like doing something TO someone else for your own egos which seems to direct leftists.
Also, not everything in life is political. The Bolsheviks believed that, and look where it most appropriately got them; the dungheap of history. Certainly, General Petraus is going to portray the efforts of the troops under his command in a positive manner; only a blithering idiot (or a leftist), would unduly criticise their efforts, particularly to please a coterie of shallow, self-centered, arrogant, useless parasitical leftists that befoul this country with the stench of their utterances. Not that they would be pleased with anything he said anyway. Talk about intellectual honesty, the left in this country are as devoid of that as they are of creative thought. Smarmy, self-absorbed twits who think parroting the properly dead phrases of Bolshevik ideology is somehow "sophisticated" and "erudite". What a sham.
I find it unfortunate that the great Democratic party of yesteryear has been taken hostage by the dark forces of Bolshevism. Luckily, most US citizens can clearly see through the blathering lies and distortions, which is why even those leftist adherents in the Congress has failed to do anything more than perpetually whine and snigger, like spoiled children. They know what would happen to them if they voted their ideological positions, and being timid, fearful, quivering politicians who enjoy the perks of "power" more than being "correct", they refuse to go against the people and harm our military for political purposes.
I am not a Republican; I am not a Democrat. I firmly belive, based on my study of history, that political parties are inherently anti-democratic, and hence, I have nothing to do with any of them. Both parties have Presidential candidates that I feel are crippled and incapable of properly leading this country; of making the right decisions; of being more than petty politicians. Oh, for a real American as a candidate.
Posted by: Rich Wargo | October 01, 2007 at 05:54 AM
hey Carla re your post this past Sunday evening (9/30/07) ....don't know where you picked up the history review on Kerry but I embrace and savor seeing it in print ...he's earned every bit of critism that's come his way ...a great byte on Teddy also ...keep the faith ...from a fellow citizen out here in the mid Atlantic east coast...
Posted by: Walter Pershing | October 01, 2007 at 05:52 AM
The comments on here show why you don't want a democrat in the White House. Democrats think Soror/Moron.org is simply a left wing organization. Slither from under your rock and see the sunshine, Soros is a convicted criminal, wanted in France. Offer to take him on a free trip to France and watch him refuse. If they get their hands on him he has a reservation in the hotel with many bars. Soros is operating on stolen money and has vowed to destroy the 'democratic' form of government in the U.S. He is an avowed Socialist/Communist and the democrats, unlike someone with a brain, follow him to the slaughter, all for the almighty dollar and power for a few years, until his form of government makes them disappear, permanetly.
Posted by: scrapiron | October 01, 2007 at 05:51 AM
Andy,
Agreed, but are your scissors Libertarian scissors?
Posted by: Jeff | October 01, 2007 at 05:49 AM
They should now be referred to as MoveOver.org!
Posted by: Awkins | October 01, 2007 at 05:45 AM
Right ON Leon! We need to turn Iraq back to the Bathist party and let them continue to exercise their freedom to do as they please to their people. How dare we say that feeding people into plastic bottle shredders is ANY of our business. Need to get rid of those pesky dissidents? Nerve gas! That limits their free speech hundreds of thousands at a time.
Right On Leon!
How dare we think that women in muslim countries should have ANY rights whatsoever. Yes indded. Back to the chains, Iraq! Thanks Leon. Support Totalitarianism throughout the world!! You idiot...
Posted by: AJBarnes | October 01, 2007 at 05:43 AM
Joe Jackson, you are right about one thing "Fascism here we come...." and Hilliary is the reason why. If she becomes the President, we will see the next Great Depression hit this country. Between the increase in taxes and decline in the quality of health care, this country will start a long slide downhill. I only hope that our children and grandchildren's generation will someday be able to recover from it.
Posted by: Jeff | October 01, 2007 at 05:40 AM