BNP bumps into trouble with multiple copyright breach
John Constantine | 06.12.2005 23:33 | Anti-racism | Culture | Social Struggles
Oh dear. The British National Party is in trouble again, only on this occasion it's not with the 'biased media', the 'biased government' or the 'biased police', it's the completely non-biased Mr Men - or rather the holder of the copyright on the Mr Men characters, a company named Chorion.
The BNP have a page (that they describe as humour) containing cartoons sent in by their readers, or so they say. One of the more offensive of these pictures is the children's character, Mr Bump, made up to look like the BNP's idea of a suicide bomber and renamed Mr Jihad. The fact that the BNP seem to find the idea of any kind of suicide bomber amusing aside, we wondered whether the BNP had permission from the copyright holders to make use of this image in this or any other way. Consequently we got in touch with Chorion and asked them. Here's the relevant bit of the reply from a lawyer in their legal affairs department:
'Chorion did not authorise any reproduction by the BNP of any image of the Mr Men characters on the BNP website. Today I have written to the BNP requesting the immediate removal of the Mr Jihad image from the BNP website and I shall let you know as soon (as) the image has been removed.'
This isn't the only breach of copyright on the BNP page. Another couple of their funnies include images held in copyright by Apple Computers (the 'silhouette' images) and Wiley, the publishers (the '...for dummies' series of books.
Curiously, this ties in nicely with our Paypal campaign. Paypal's Terms and Conditions state: 'You may not register a website that promotes or facilitates illegal actions, including but not limited to the sale of goods or services that infringe on the intellectual property of a third party' and '(f) infringe on any third party's copyright, patent, trademark, trade secret or other property rights or rights of publicity or privacy'. Oops. You can write to complain about the BNP's actions here: http://www.paypal.com/ewf/f=pps_prohib
The BNP 'humour' page is preceded by a statement; 'Having a laugh is not yet subject to legislation by Home Secretary "Commie" Clarke and Labour Supremo Blair, but we suspect that it is only a matter of time...if anyone is offended - tough! The essence of comedy is to have fun at someone else's expense!'
Let's see them laugh this one off!
Note: The Mr Jihad image has been removed - the others are still there.
The BNP have a page (that they describe as humour) containing cartoons sent in by their readers, or so they say. One of the more offensive of these pictures is the children's character, Mr Bump, made up to look like the BNP's idea of a suicide bomber and renamed Mr Jihad. The fact that the BNP seem to find the idea of any kind of suicide bomber amusing aside, we wondered whether the BNP had permission from the copyright holders to make use of this image in this or any other way. Consequently we got in touch with Chorion and asked them. Here's the relevant bit of the reply from a lawyer in their legal affairs department:
'Chorion did not authorise any reproduction by the BNP of any image of the Mr Men characters on the BNP website. Today I have written to the BNP requesting the immediate removal of the Mr Jihad image from the BNP website and I shall let you know as soon (as) the image has been removed.'
This isn't the only breach of copyright on the BNP page. Another couple of their funnies include images held in copyright by Apple Computers (the 'silhouette' images) and Wiley, the publishers (the '...for dummies' series of books.
Curiously, this ties in nicely with our Paypal campaign. Paypal's Terms and Conditions state: 'You may not register a website that promotes or facilitates illegal actions, including but not limited to the sale of goods or services that infringe on the intellectual property of a third party' and '(f) infringe on any third party's copyright, patent, trademark, trade secret or other property rights or rights of publicity or privacy'. Oops. You can write to complain about the BNP's actions here: http://www.paypal.com/ewf/f=pps_prohib
The BNP 'humour' page is preceded by a statement; 'Having a laugh is not yet subject to legislation by Home Secretary "Commie" Clarke and Labour Supremo Blair, but we suspect that it is only a matter of time...if anyone is offended - tough! The essence of comedy is to have fun at someone else's expense!'
Let's see them laugh this one off!
Note: The Mr Jihad image has been removed - the others are still there.
John Constantine
e-mail:
zen26144@zen.co.uk
Homepage:
http://82.69.12.18/lancasteruafblog/
Comments
Hide the following 18 comments
unfunny
07.12.2005 01:02
fashface
Fash have the last laugh...
07.12.2005 04:02
:)
More lies then...
07.12.2005 06:14
John Constantine
e-mail: zen26144@zen.co.uk
Homepage: http://82.69.12.18/lancasteruafblog/
"comedy is to have fun at someone else's expense!"
07.12.2005 12:15
Danny
But THIS one maybe not
07.12.2005 14:26
Not intended as any sort of defense of the BNP -- but what PRECISELY is the violation here (I haven't gone to the BNP site and won't so can't see for myself).
The APPEARANCE of a Wiley "...for dummies" book? (copyright protects the artwork).
The use of the title format? UH -- book TITLES are not protected by copyright. The fact that you have written a book and titled it "X Y Z" and hold the copyright to that book does NOT restrict somebody else from wiritng another book also with the title "X Y Z"
Mike
e-mail: stepbystpefarm mtdata.com
property is theft
07.12.2005 22:36
You have not exposed the fash. You have simply exposed yourselves as being, well, full of idealistic bullshit really.
wj
r u sure ?
08.12.2005 03:26
Anti-racism isn't a political issue, it's a moral issue. It is just plain indecent and stupid to discriminate on skin colour or to tolerate fascist activity without doing something to harrass them on whatever level. And to enforce a moral agenda it is perfectly fine and pragmatic to pit the forces of oppression against themselves. Smart even, if somewhat lazy. I agree its a rather lame action but it was a good comedy stunt and I think that was the spirit in which it was offered.
I never saw you track down and imprison Antony Walkers murderers.
Danny
Er, wj?
08.12.2005 03:53
Personally, I don't have a problem with using may method that works to give them as much trouble as possible.
After all, they would do the same to anti-fascists.
If you have a better plan, then by all means share it with us.
If not, keep your pathetic sneering to yourself.
Pilgrim
anarchism 101
08.12.2005 08:49
And, er, Pilgrim. If you don't know then don't ask. I keep hearing your excuses being used by GW Bush to justify his "War on Terror".
wj
No sense of humour, some people...
08.12.2005 12:15
The more serious point is that this is another nudge towards Paypal dumping the BNP, which should cause them a whole bunch of problems and frankly, anything that causes the BNP a problem is fine by me.
And yes, if I thought it might help to get rid of the BNP forever, I'd go to Tony Blair and George Bush and kiss their feet - dressed up as Mr Bump. It'd be well worth the humiliation. :-)
As I've mentioned Paypal, forgive a further mention. They've written to a supporter suggesting that a far better place to write to complain about their provision of banking services to the BNP would be to BOTH complaint-response@paypal.com and appeal@paypal.com Both of these should 'lead to further action'. Let's hope so.
John Constantine
e-mail: zen26144@zen.co.uk
Homepage: http://82.69.12.18/lancasteruafblog/
Please Mr Professor of Anarchy
08.12.2005 14:15
'Moral' was a poor choice of words - my point is anti-racism isn't a political issue any more than being anti-war is. They are apolitical issues that cross political boundaries and are valid anarchist issues - challenging the existing power structures. Now if someone chooses to pit one unfair power structure tactically against another unfair power structure, that's a debatable tactic but to claim it as proof of inherent failure is daft. Now my enemies enemy isn't my friend but I'm happy to have them do my fighting for me in certain circumstances.
Do you consider yourself an anarchist WJ ? The natural extension of your argument is that anarchists shouldn't use the NHS, shouldn't live in council housing, shouldn't use public highways and shouldn't complain when the cops beat us up. Which would be fair enough if we weren't forced to pay for these things the same as everyone else is.
Danny
oh, come now Danny boy,
09.12.2005 10:49
You claim that the establishment can be encouraged to harrass the fascists rather than us so you can't see the problem. This sounds like the establishment can be a good thing for people, given the right circumstances. Sounds almost Marxian that. And we both know what happened in the Ukraine and Spain when the Marxists got involved. So no Danny boy, you are simply cutting your own throat in the longer term by thinking you can use the establishment for your own benefit. In actual fact, the establishment is using you for its own benefit. Very civic minded of you though.
If the fash did not exist, the government would have to invent them. They are a smokescreen. Don't play their game. But I'm not sure this is the time or place to discuss such weighty issues. But that is my opinion, you may or may not agree with. Except to say, why shouldn't anarchists use the NHS? Health is a right not a choice. Shelter is a right not a choice. Freedom from harrassment is a right not a choice. If the government expects society to obey its laws then it must give something in return.
wj
Call myself an anarchist ?
09.12.2005 21:50
Very true. A lot of the best anarchists refuse to label themselves as such because they refuse to be labelled.
"You claim that the establishment can be encouraged to harrass the fascists rather than us so you can't see the problem."
Yes, I can't see what your problem is, I thought I'd said that.
"This sounds like the establishment can be a good thing for people, given the right circumstances."
Yes I do. One example would be when it harrasses fascists like I said. Bad things can be useful in certain circumstances.
"Sounds almost Marxian that."
Heavens no. 'I am not a Marxist' as the man himself once said.
"And we both know what happened in the Ukraine and Spain when the Marxists got involved."
Well the SWP like to refer to those folk as Stalinists not Marxists for obvious reasons, though they probably called themselves Marxists. Unlike Marx of course, which was very anarchist of him.
"So no Danny boy, you are simply cutting your own throat in the longer term by thinking you can use the establishment for your own benefit."
But I can and I do ! I take your point that any reliance on the establishment delays the time that I develop my own networks to replace the state, but that is an ideologically pure position and tactically flawed. However, to speak in proverbs, 'a drowning man will clutch at a snake'.
"In actual fact, the establishment is using you for its own benefit. Very civic minded of you though."
Really ? The establishment is using me ? Oh if only someone had told me before! I've been such a fool.
"If the fash did not exist, the government would have to invent them. They are a smokescreen. Don't play their game."
'Their game' ? You mean the establishments game ? Do you mean our rather pathetic smalltown fascists aren't worth opposing while our genocidal government and 'establishment' are profitting from murdering hundereds of thousands of innocents abroad ? If so, I agree with the analysis but I still think it is worth taking 5 minutes everyday to 'engage' the smalltown yobs.
If Nick Griffin was in my street I would drive him away physically. If Tony Blair was in my street I would attempt to kill him. I hope that is clear. Your average Labour party member is worse than a BNP member in my opinion. I don't see much difference between the parties - I happy harrass Green party members because they are happy to 'take office' and send the poolice to harass me.
"But I'm not sure this is the time or place to discuss such weighty issues."
Some of the power-mad, unpaid, unthanked IM volunteers do seem to regard this as a newswire rather a discussion forum. However luckily someone smarter than them already decided to allow comments for participation.
"But that is my opinion, you may or may not agree with. Except to say, why shouldn't anarchists use the NHS? Health is a right not a choice. Shelter is a right not a choice. Freedom from harrassment is a right not a choice. If the government expects society to obey its laws then it must give something in return."
For anarchists, there are no rights as nobody has any more authority than yourself to grant rights. To have rights means having bodies to enforce those rights and you can't impose anything on a free person. You can only ask nicely, which is common courtesy after all. Nobody has rights and nobody has responsibilities, except to themselves. Use whatever tactic or strategy you are comfortable with that complies with your own conscience and don't give orders. And I'd suggest until you think this through a bit more in depth then don't give out too much 'authoritative' advice on what other fre-thinking folk should or shouldn't do.
Non-anarchists would argue that anarchists shouldn't use any state-provided service as they oppose the state. However, as an anarchist who is violentally (via the police) forced to obey certain rules or risk punishment (such as paying taxes to my oppressor) then I feel no compunction in fucking with the state-services however I wish. And that means I enjoy the freedom to call the cops when my girlfriend gets raped simply to stop aniother rape or to call the cops when the fascists at the end of the street are bigger and stronger than my mates. That does not make me a friend of the state and I think you are being overly restrictive and overly proscriptive in criticising Mr. Constantine.
You are right, it would be nice if John had either cured the fascists of their idiocy or directly destroyed their means of spreading hate, but I see him reporting his efforts towards that here and from you all I see so far is piety.
dAnny
rights
09.12.2005 23:49
Try *inalienable* rights Danny boy. Rights that can never be granted and therefore never taken away. Eg. Workers have the right to withdraw labour whether the state grants that right or not.
wj
England owes me a living ?
10.12.2005 10:18
Although sticking with your example of an 'unalienable right' to strike, many workers don't have that right today and no workers had a legal right to strike until they decided for themselves that they would. And more importantly most workers have very little ability to strike on the really important issues because their unions are full of officials affiliated with the genocidal Labour party. Who seem to think 'the workers' have an unalienable right to murder Iraqis for their oil.
Pardon my ignorance as I skipped more than a few classes at Anarchist Day school but you think like a socialist. Which isn't the worst insult I've used today.
Danny
Protest
10.12.2005 21:26
Free palenstine
shalik
socialist?
11.12.2005 12:25
www.conservative-party.org.uk/
I'm sure you'll find it more to your liking. Very into "individualism" I believe.
In the meantime, come back when you actually know what you're talking about...
Toodlepip.
wj
Tory fan
12.12.2005 03:05
The reason I was happy to talk about anarchism with you was just to see if you were one of the more-anarchist-than-thou idiots who are happy to criticise anyone elses actions while doing nothing and suggesting nothing better, or whether you are a fascist yourself. And I never found out, but giving you the benefit of the doubt then I'll quote one of the world's leading anarchist intellectuals at you, someone even you don't have a bad word for :
"You have simply exposed yourselves as being, well, full of idealistic bullshit really".
Danny