Slashdot Mirror
Canadian Gov't Grants Olympics Ownership of Winter
An anonymous reader writes "Michael Geist reports that the Canadian government has introduced new legislation that grants Vancouver Olympic organizers broad powers to police the use of any commercial use of the words associated with the Olympics. These incredibly include 'winter, Vancouver, and games.' As Geist notes, the government 'has no time to deal with spam, spyware, privacy, or net neutrality, but commits to legislation on behalf of the organizers of a sporting event?'"
This is likely part of agreements made in secret host city dealings with the Olympic committees. It seems to happen in all other host cities. Next up is the restriction of references to non-sponsored products and services. Sure, your rights have been stricken... but at least you can enjoy a nice cold Coca Cola while you watch the sporting events on the CBC.
Even those who arrange and design shrubberies are under considerable economic stress at this period in history.
The masses really ARE that stupid.
In any sane world, people restricting the use of the words "games", "Vancouver" and "winter" would prompt an immediate response from the masses. People would be calling and writing into Ottawa to complain.
In this world, people do nothing, and only us geeks get up in arms.
Consider what's been happening lately. It's been demonstrated that companies can and will be granted exclusive patent rights on obvious things, that other companies can and will be granted rights to parts of the human genome, and now that the very use of certain common and ancient words is being restricted.
When will this shit stop?
The governments of the western world talk a good talk about "freedom", but doesn't "freedom" mean the freedom to say "winter", the freedom to study human genetics, the freedom to write software without fear of patent suits?
Are we really "free", or merely "freer"? (Freer than, say, the North Koreans...)
With spending like this, exactly what are "conservatives" conserving?
No, "Winter" is not being given away, just the right to use the word in certain advertising contexts that could be confused with the winter games. Every Olympic games there are vulture companies that tie themselves in advertising knots to appear to be official supporters without actually being. They use phrases like "Official supporter of Winter sports". This always burns my bacon that they get away with it. If you want to cash in on the Olympics, then support them and get the rights. Otherwise, get lost.
The courts have better things do deal with than tie themselves in knots over this. I can't see this really being applied except in blatant cases, and overall I think it's a good thing. Another thing I can't see is why this is being painted so negatively.
Some MP introduced a new bill. Any MP can introduce any bill he or she wants. That doesn't make it law.
And even if it was law, it does serve a valid purpose - to crack down on "ambush" marketing, where companies try to underhandedly suggest they are associated with the olympics when they are not.
Save all the extremist knee-jerk reactions for after 1) the bill is made into law and 2) it is used to sue some poor sob who uses the word 'winter' on a lost dog poster.
I submit that the bill is very excellently worded, and I challenge you (or anyone else) to read the bill and come up with an example where the bill would unfairly restrict your freedom. By that, I mean restrict you from doing anything except ambush marketing. Anyone that needs to use any of the "restricted" words in order to promote legitimate business can do so:So, as you can see, that little exception covers pretty much any legitimate use you might have. Describe how exactly this is Orwellian, please.
Our "amendments" are called the Charter of Rights and Freedoms (I'd have used the official link but it seems the laws page of Justice Canada is down..)
Our freedom of expression (freedom of speech) is listed in section 2. As far as the second amendment, we don't really have a need to carry guns.
There is another kind of evil which we must fear most, and that is the indifference of good men. -- Boondock Saints
Drugs, civil courts, politics, wildly inflated egos, corruption, endless corporate marketing, at least they could introduce some real blood sports to really reflect the true values of the modern Olympics, bring on the gladiators and the lions.
I'm bored with the same old same old, and no I don't see the achievement in a person willing to run around in circles day after day after day.
Chaos - everything, everywhere, everywhen
If a business falsely claims to have sponsored an event or organization, give that organization the right to sue said business.
If a business claims to have sponsored a non-existing organization, give consumer associations the right to sue.
That's not to say that this is a good thing, but please, get some understanding of the issue before acting like the word "winter" will be banned.