Obama camp first to block sales of items that portray his campaign logo

[Divine Discontent]

I've been selling stickers & shirts for people running for gov't jobs for over 4 years online, and Obama's lawyers just forced cafepress to remove all designs that used his campaign design. That shocks me. Usually I don't post about stuff like this, but it says a lot to me about the candidate's philosophy that in the "old" days a candidate would love any attention by outside parties pushing their campaign to other people. A majority of my designs are my own, in fact, my Obama designs they removed were actually a different FONT and not his, but because they looked so similar the people at cafepress yanked them, I'll probably contact them, but as usual they'll say, "our hands are tied because their lawyers threatened us" just like when they took down my anti-Coulter and O'Leilly designs. My strong stance for Edwards is growing only stronger after this and the previous Gen. Pace Comment gaffe that he and Hillary made not attacking his hateful rhetoric about gays, but Edwards was right on it without having to be told what to say later that night...

I hope Gore runs still, but if not, Edwards any day over the alternative. And I'd love Biden, Dodd and others to start eating away at their lead also. I like them a lot!

www.cafepress.com/warisprofitable <<--- totally new designs for most candidates (and yes, Obama too)

[Radical Activist]

1. I can understand it.

You're taking money that would otherwise go to the campaign through sales of t-shirts and other items. Do you donate the profits from your sale of Obama items to the Obama campaign?

[Divine Discontent]

2. hi

"that would otherwise go to the campaign", that is unlikely. the items are unique and not the same as offered on their site, let alone if people would ever think to look on his site, but of course, some would, but I know from past elections, you can't always get the type of item you want from the campaigns, so you have to make your own, and often you can't even get signs or stickers, so to be able to go to a 3rd party and get an item in the exact style you want supporting a candidate for gov't office should be a-ok. I understand the argument, but the branding of him as a 'rock star' is a bit silly, and leave it to his people to be the only ones to do this. and no, I give nothing to his campaign except a hundred people walking around with his name on their shirts and cars, and now, there will be less of them because people buy items as they come across them. I think it's silly, he's running for president, he should be thankful for the name recognition being made by the tons of sellers doing this - however, I have made all new designs, although my designs weren't his to begin with, they were made by me on photoshop and just looked similar. he's not a company, but whatev, I'll still sell from the new design and give it all to the Edwards people anyhow...

Do you know who you like so far? Do you think people like Kucinich and Dodd have a snowballs chance??? I feel for them. And I just can't see Obama or Clinton winning in a general election, sorry, but I know mostly democrats, and 80% of them don't like Hillary, and most don't really believe Obama can win any of the toss up states because of extreme hatred against blacks that is easily seen in the racist attitudes at work, and that gives a strong clue that states like Ohio and FL will go Republican if Hillary or Barack get the nom, I hope I'm wrong.... for our country's sake... I dread the thought of President Huckabee or McCain... ick.

[Radical Activist]

4. If you're making original designs

that people can't get from the campaign, then this shouldn't be an issue for you. Your OP said the only restriction was using the campaign logo. If you're copy-catting items, like t-shirts with the campaign logo but only slightly different, then yes you're taking money for yourself that should be going to the respective candidates.

[Divine Discontent]

3. plus..

your comment about 'you're taking money' implies you believe we shouldn't be allowed to even use their name and create our own designs because we take money from their campaigns, correct me if I'm wrong. I hope that's not really the case. Without the grassroots people like me who walk and talk to people on their behalf, and come up with slogans and such to put on stickers and signs that people hold up at rallies, they wouldn't be in such a strong position. Sometimes, people just don't like the designs or items candidates come up with. I think Obama will be the only one who will do this, no one did this prior to this move by his camp, and I think it's because they want to only think about money right now, and pass Hillary, when frankly, she's not going to get the nomination. Once Super Tuesday comes and she gets hammered in the Battleground states, they'll realize she's not strong outside of true-blue states.

Again, I hope dems start pushing away from her, primarily, and focus on either Obama or Edwards, we're going to lose in 08 if she's our candidate. (and as backstory, I was within 3 seats guessing 6 months prior to the election what the house races would end up and nailed the senate balance, and predicted a close loss for Kerry after the osama tape came out, I see a big defeat for Hillary if she's the one!)

[eyesroll]

5. If their campaign logo is trademarked, they HAVE to go after people who use it without license.

Otherwise, they lose it and any yahoo -- supporter, detractor, T-Shirt Hell, whatever -- can use it for whatever purpose.