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A little touchy about the truth aren't they? hobbit709 Nov 2013 #1
Oh, FFS, NSA. Grow a pair, wouldja? Touchy much? CurtEastPoint Nov 2013 #2
I am sure he could make money by just using the slogans dixiegrrrrl Nov 2013 #3
If they violate the laws treestar Nov 2013 #4
Satire is protected speech. ForgoTheConsequence Nov 2013 #8
It was clear that you can't use a government agency seal treestar Nov 2013 #15
So far you're the only person who has brought up Snowden in this thread. ForgoTheConsequence Nov 2013 #18
That's just silly treestar Nov 2013 #20
We don't "all know" that. ForgoTheConsequence Nov 2013 #24
And I'm happy he poked the NSA in the eye christx30 Nov 2013 #27
Riiiiiiiight. eggplant Nov 2013 #44
You are entitled to your opinion but please do not Swede Atlanta Nov 2013 #105
+ another! n/t wildbilln864 Nov 2013 #109
+1 wtmusic Nov 2013 #68
SNL has used the Presidential Seal countless times in their skits. Uncle Joe Nov 2013 #111
But the unauthorized use of official seals is not. It's like one of us using the alfredo Nov 2013 #19
That is OUR trademark. And I think his is a far better use of it than it's official one. n/t jtuck004 Nov 2013 #21
From US copyright law. alfredo Nov 2013 #23
Government of the people, by the people, etc. It's our US Government, too. LOL. jtuck004 Nov 2013 #30
Oh sure, they brought the ridicule on themselves, but they have the right to alfredo Nov 2013 #31
It's not theirs. It's ours. They work for us, and not as contractors either. And I get jtuck004 Nov 2013 #32
Right - the seals can't be trademarked. Yo_Mama Nov 2013 #53
But if the creator of the seal transferred the rights to homeland security, then alfredo Nov 2013 #56
Trademarks and commercial use are inextricably entwined. Yo_Mama Nov 2013 #59
Could the great seal in the logo be what is copyrighted? alfredo Nov 2013 #73
LOL! Your "ownership" of such a logo or seal is about 0.0000003%. Should you want to change struggle4progress Nov 2013 #92
Fucking Congress works for us. So does everyone else up there. And I don't give a rat's ass what jtuck004 Nov 2013 #96
Only when it leads to confusion about products and/or services... Humanist_Activist Nov 2013 #75
One cannot use the actual seal even in a parody cosmicone Nov 2013 #26
Maybe even change it to...."U.S. Department of Homeland Scrutiny" yourout Nov 2013 #52
A direct copy of the seal is not satire jberryhill Nov 2013 #36
This should be protected by the right "to petition the Government for a redress of grievances." Towlie Nov 2013 #84
laws can be unconstitutional Enrique Nov 2013 #10
It would make an interesting case treestar Nov 2013 #16
Actually, treestar, I don't think you're correct in this case ConservativeDemocrat Nov 2013 #46
Exactly right. (nt) reACTIONary Nov 2013 #48
Yeah, I would agree there is no fraud intent treestar Nov 2013 #54
Indeed, indeed. Yo_Mama Nov 2013 #55
Agree: Katashi_itto Nov 2013 #102
I agree: christx30 Nov 2013 #112
We're in agreement then...good that's agreeable. Katashi_itto Nov 2013 #113
Nearly everything Hitler did was legal under German law. Psephos Nov 2013 #11
Then they can make a case, I have no problem with that treestar Nov 2013 #17
It falls under the Copyright laws. alfredo Nov 2013 #22
No, it is not a copyright issue jberryhill Nov 2013 #33
Links alfredo Nov 2013 #38
Trademarks and copyrights are two different things jberryhill Nov 2013 #42
The artwork in the trademark could be copyrighted by the author. alfredo Nov 2013 #43
Which would be outright stupid in the case of government agency seals jberryhill Nov 2013 #45
Who created the artwork in the HSA logo? Was it contracted or in house? alfredo Nov 2013 #47
Doesn't matter, it wouldn't be covered by copyright because its a product of the government... Humanist_Activist Nov 2013 #76
Then that copyright is transferred to the new owner. alfredo Nov 2013 #81
As far as I'm aware of, there is no copyright, works of the government are public domain... Humanist_Activist Nov 2013 #95
There had to be some legal basis for the cease and desist. It would have be stupid to act otherwise. alfredo Nov 2013 #99
Not really, never underestimate the irrationality of large organizations... Humanist_Activist Nov 2013 #100
Don't think their lawyers haven't had some input. alfredo Nov 2013 #101
Who said lawyers are smart? Humanist_Activist Nov 2013 #103
And don't forget that the "complainants" in this case... Indi Guy Nov 2013 #104
Are they suing because of what was said, or the used of their logo? alfredo Nov 2013 #106
I guarantee you that if logo was used for T's that put the NSA in a positive light... Indi Guy Nov 2013 #110
Depending on the Agency, and the use it makes of the seal, there may be additional considerations struggle4progress Nov 2013 #86
That doesn't apply, and fair use would be the exception even if it did Yo_Mama Nov 2013 #62
So I could use the Presidential seal to sell condoms? alfredo Nov 2013 #64
Yes, if the seal is a government seal and if the condoms were clearly a work of satire or criticism Yo_Mama Nov 2013 #67
I still don't understand how they can say it is protected under copyright law and trademark law? alfredo Nov 2013 #82
Actually yes, and here's a link... Humanist_Activist Nov 2013 #77
This message was self-deleted by its author RitchieRich Nov 2013 #79
There is no confusion about it being official. alfredo Nov 2013 #83
Some might see more of a gap, than you do, between (say) a federal agency restricting the use struggle4progress Nov 2013 #94
Some might even read the original post to which I responded... Psephos Nov 2013 #98
Oh, yah! That's exactly what happened in Germany! One day, they restricted the reproduction struggle4progress Nov 2013 #108
Time to change your name to struggle4comprehension. Psephos Nov 2013 #114
Indeed. Indi Guy Nov 2013 #115
(1) The statute protecting the NSA seal is more than 50 years; and (2) the NSA claims struggle4progress Nov 2013 #121
It's actually very common for Federal agencies to control use of their logos and insignia: struggle4progress Nov 2013 #116
My statement had nothing to do with regs. Let me ask you... Indi Guy Nov 2013 #117
Perhaps you should read more carefully: statutes also appear in my links struggle4progress Nov 2013 #118
I posted this... Indi Guy Nov 2013 #122
FBI to Wikipedia: Remove our seal (2010) struggle4progress Nov 2013 #123
That's all very interesting, and I'm glad to hear what the FBI (not mentioned in the OP) thinks, ... Indi Guy Nov 2013 #124
"Congress shall make no law...abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press;...." nt Deep13 Nov 2013 #12
It wasn't what he said, it was the unauthorized use of copyrighted material. alfredo Nov 2013 #25
So, it was what he said (or wrote) then. nt Deep13 Nov 2013 #88
It's not the text, it is the use of the seal. alfredo Nov 2013 #89
So you can make fake currency? jberryhill Nov 2013 #34
Art. I, sec. 8, Congress specificially has the power to punish counterfeiting. Deep13 Nov 2013 #90
And the guy is, oddly enough, charged under a counterfeiting statute jberryhill Nov 2013 #91
They're not violating laws. They're making funny T-shirts. Arkana Nov 2013 #93
Why do you love the Republican dominated NSA so much? /nt Ash_F Nov 2013 #97
"The only part of the government that actually listens" Jack Rabbit Nov 2013 #5
Satire and parody only hurt when they reflect fundamental truths. . . Journeyman Nov 2013 #6
You can get the shirts at cafepress dballance Nov 2013 #7
Just got the Navy Blue long sleeve T denbot Nov 2013 #29
HA! I see a backfire Incitatus Nov 2013 #9
You are so right. dballance Nov 2013 #13
The "We can't confirm whether we exist or not, but stop the copyright infringement," arguement. marble falls Nov 2013 #14
Homeland Security Intellectual Property Policy. Link alfredo Nov 2013 #28
The government can claim that it is G_d and that it has trademarked the sunset Yo_Mama Nov 2013 #60
Has it been tested? alfredo Nov 2013 #61
I don't think so Yo_Mama Nov 2013 #66
Government seals? In Minnesota? Eleanors38 Nov 2013 #35
If this guy doesn't win in court I'll be shocked... oNobodyo Nov 2013 #37
Fascists don't like to be made fun of villager Nov 2013 #39
K&R DeSwiss Nov 2013 #40
Or not. Maybe you have to speak clearly in order to get what you want... Indi Guy Nov 2013 #49
By my wife's thinking this would fall under Free speech-- 1st Amendment issue. diabeticman Nov 2013 #41
This message was self-deleted by its author christx30 Nov 2013 #58
If people have the right to burn the flag, surely they have the right to parody the seals Yo_Mama Nov 2013 #50
Homeland Security, funny name... olddad56 Nov 2013 #51
As Robin Williams said, couldn't really name it Fatherland Security 47of74 Nov 2013 #63
re:. NSA, Homeland Security issue ‘cease and desist’ letters to novelty store owner allan01 Nov 2013 #57
Parodies are protected political speech. In other times, they would lose on this in court. 1monster Nov 2013 #65
Depends a bit on how obvious the parody is. wtmusic Nov 2013 #70
These don't sound like anything the NSA or HS would be printing on their Tees... 1monster Nov 2013 #72
This message was self-deleted by its author struggle4progress Nov 2013 #69
A Federal agency probably has the right to control use of its seal as part of its property struggle4progress Nov 2013 #71
Good point! Think of what the Mitt Romney's of the world would do with that seal! nt adirondacker Nov 2013 #80
It's very common for Federal agencies to control use of their logos and insignia: struggle4progress Nov 2013 #85
I'm one that realizes the importance of not plagiarizing agencies symbols. Do you recall the adirondacker Nov 2013 #87
I actually intended to post #85 in response to the OP but evidently goofed struggle4progress Nov 2013 #107
Does the Moon family still own the Washington Times? Is Judicial Watch still an ultra-conservative progree Nov 2013 #74
The Moonie Times missed the real story (heard it last summer). The news is the guy sued back... Pholus Nov 2013 #78
National Security Agency Act of 1959 (Public law 86-36) struggle4progress Nov 2013 #119
Fuck the National Security Agency Act of 1959. JackRiddler Nov 2013 #133
Don't smoosh everything together and swirl it about into an inedible mess struggle4progress Nov 2013 #134
Fuck the National Security Agency Act of 1959. JackRiddler Nov 2013 #136
Enjoy mucking your way through the bogs and swamplands! And good luck having any real effect! struggle4progress Nov 2013 #137
... the Zazzle team wasn't a fan, apparently, and they removed McCall's NSA-themed products struggle4progress Nov 2013 #120
Copyright and Other Rights Pertaining to U.S. Government Works struggle4progress Nov 2013 #125
Yeah, you've expressed that already... Indi Guy Nov 2013 #126
Let's review what we know: (1) the NSA does not appear to have contacted McCall directly; struggle4progress Nov 2013 #127
I didn't say that the NSA reprimanded the vendor. Indi Guy Nov 2013 #129
um ... I've already explained my opinion to you in great detail struggle4progress Nov 2013 #131
Aside from answering my question, you've expressed your opinion voluminously. Indi Guy Nov 2013 #135
Simple solution then. Incitatus Nov 2013 #128
that is absolutely right struggle4progress Nov 2013 #132
the store should thank them for the free advertising. yurbud Nov 2013 #130
Glad he tickled their funny bone n/t bobGandolf Nov 2013 #138
Now that's funny. Indi Guy Nov 2013 #139
No kidding! bobGandolf Nov 2013 #141
There's nothing worse than an asshole except an overly sensitive asshole Fearless Nov 2013 #140
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