Comments on: Ad agency to radicals: "We own radical media(TM)" http://boingboing.net/2011/04/30/ad-agency-to-radical.html Brain candy for Happy Mutants Sun, 26 May 2013 01:13:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.1 By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2011/04/30/ad-agency-to-radical.html#comment-1097257 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1097257 A Google News search for "radical media" date range Apr 20, 1950–Apr 20, 1991. http://www.google.com/search?q=%22radical+media%22&num=100&hl=en&safe=off&sa=X&ei=oJK8TcizOYy6sQPP2Pm7BQ&ved=0CBgQpwUoCw&source=lnt&tbs=cdr%3A1%2Ccd_min%3A4%2F20%2F1950%2Ccd_max%3A4%2F20%2F1991&tbm=nws A Google News search for “radical media” date range Apr 20, 1950–Apr 20, 1991.

http://www.google.com/search?q=%22radical+media%22&num=100&hl=en&safe=off&sa=X&ei=oJK8TcizOYy6sQPP2Pm7BQ&ved=0CBgQpwUoCw&source=lnt&tbs=cdr%3A1%2Ccd_min%3A4%2F20%2F1950%2Ccd_max%3A4%2F20%2F1991&tbm=nws

]]> By: pontusw http://boingboing.net/2011/04/30/ad-agency-to-radical.html#comment-1097262 pontusw Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1097262 @grimc I'll just have to ask the same thing as osmo - 'Are you drunk?'. The term 'radical media' has been around since at least 1984 when John Downing wrote the book 'Radical Media'. More in my blog post which started this whole thing this morning: http://brightgreenscotland.org/index.php/2011/04/pr-company-copyrights-words-radical-media-threatens-to-sue-activists/ @grimc I’ll just have to ask the same thing as osmo – ‘Are you drunk?’. The term ‘radical media’ has been around since at least 1984 when John Downing wrote the book ‘Radical Media’. More in my blog post which started this whole thing this morning: http://brightgreenscotland.org/index.php/2011/04/pr-company-copyrights-words-radical-media-threatens-to-sue-activists/

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2011/04/30/ad-agency-to-radical.html#comment-1097007 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1097007 @radicalmedia are a film production company, not an ad agency. @radicalmedia are a film production company, not an ad agency.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2011/04/30/ad-agency-to-radical.html#comment-1097010 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1097010 As radicals the Ad Agency needs to be investigated like all of the other subversive radical groups the government fears. As radicals the Ad Agency needs to be investigated like all of the other subversive radical groups the government fears.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2011/04/30/ad-agency-to-radical.html#comment-1097011 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1097011 Well, that looks pretty straightforward. Radical Media has that trademark in the UK (Community Trade Mark E2002244 going by the Intellectual Property Office ) and is defending it properly since the activists in the apparently didn't bother to do a trademark search before naming their conference (it took me about 30 seconds to find the trademark). TIme to rename your conference and check the name first, boyos. Well, that looks pretty straightforward. Radical Media has that trademark in the UK (Community Trade Mark E2002244 going by the Intellectual Property Office ) and is defending it properly since the activists in the apparently didn’t bother to do a trademark search before naming their conference (it took me about 30 seconds to find the trademark). TIme to rename your conference and check the name first, boyos.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2011/04/30/ad-agency-to-radical.html#comment-1097013 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1097013 "In this world, shipmates, sin that pays its way can travel freely, and without a passport; whereas Virtue, if a pauper, is stopped at all frontiers." - Herman Melville “In this world, shipmates, sin that pays its way can travel freely, and without a passport; whereas Virtue, if a pauper, is stopped at all frontiers.”

– Herman Melville

]]> By: Toff http://boingboing.net/2011/04/30/ad-agency-to-radical.html#comment-1097014 Toff Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1097014 Hmm. Maybe in the interest of "truth in advertising," the Radical Media ad agency should be forced to make genuinely radical media, and be banned from making anything that constitutes advertising, or else be forced to abandon the slogan and trademark. Hmm. Maybe in the interest of “truth in advertising,” the Radical Media ad agency should be forced to make genuinely radical media, and be banned from making anything that constitutes advertising, or else be forced to abandon the slogan and trademark.

]]> By: dross1260 http://boingboing.net/2011/04/30/ad-agency-to-radical.html#comment-1097017 dross1260 Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1097017 The revolution will be privatized The revolution will be privatized

]]> By: PrettyBoyTim http://boingboing.net/2011/04/30/ad-agency-to-radical.html#comment-1097018 PrettyBoyTim Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1097018 Where's Bill Hicks when you need him? Where’s Bill Hicks when you need him?

]]> By: Art http://boingboing.net/2011/04/30/ad-agency-to-radical.html#comment-1097043 Art Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1097043 Typical that an ad/media agency would attempt to hijack something genuine and morph it into consumer-driven advertising medium. It's been done for years already- No astonishing news there. Although I never cease to be surprised that they think it will actually fool people. Typical that an ad/media agency would attempt to hijack something genuine and morph it into consumer-driven advertising medium.

It’s been done for years already- No astonishing news there. Although I never cease to be surprised that they think it will actually fool people.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2011/04/30/ad-agency-to-radical.html#comment-1097049 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1097049 looks like all these brands and companies need to be contacted and told that if they continue using radicalmedia.com they will no longer be patronised. http://www.radicalmedia.com/ I think radical media needs to understand how social media works. Thanks Reddit. looks like all these brands and companies need to be contacted and told that if they continue using radicalmedia.com they will no longer be patronised.

http://www.radicalmedia.com/

I think radical media needs to understand how social media works.

Thanks Reddit.

]]> By: Avram / Moderator http://boingboing.net/2011/04/30/ad-agency-to-radical.html#comment-1097307 Avram / Moderator Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1097307 Trademark is also only supposed to apply in a specific, limited commercial context. That's why Bob Guccioni was able to publish a magazine called <i>Omni</i> at the same time that Dodge was producing a car called the Omni, while there was also an Omni hotel chain. Trademark is also only supposed to apply in a specific, limited commercial context. That’s why Bob Guccioni was able to publish a magazine called Omni at the same time that Dodge was producing a car called the Omni, while there was also an Omni hotel chain.

]]> By: Kimmo http://boingboing.net/2011/04/30/ad-agency-to-radical.html#comment-1097310 Kimmo Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1097310 <blockquote>The revolution will not go better with Coke.</blockquote> No, but it'll go down a treat with <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/OpenCola_%28drink%29">OpenCola</a>.

The revolution will not go better with Coke.

No, but it’ll go down a treat with OpenCola.

]]> By: turn_self_off http://boingboing.net/2011/04/30/ad-agency-to-radical.html#comment-1097055 turn_self_off Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1097055 Sad thing is, they often do. Sad thing is, they often do.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2011/04/30/ad-agency-to-radical.html#comment-1097058 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1097058 Sometimes adjective does not work. Sometimes adjective does not work.

]]> By: Jake0748 http://boingboing.net/2011/04/30/ad-agency-to-radical.html#comment-1097334 Jake0748 Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1097334 I'd never heard of OpenCola before. Too cool! Thanks, Kimmo. I’d never heard of OpenCola before. Too cool! Thanks, Kimmo.

]]> By: Jake0748 http://boingboing.net/2011/04/30/ad-agency-to-radical.html#comment-1097098 Jake0748 Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1097098 Yep. More often than not. Very sad. Yep. More often than not. Very sad.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2011/04/30/ad-agency-to-radical.html#comment-1097101 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1097101 most assuredly not radical, they need to spell it with a hyphen or k to differentiate it from true "radical media". like R4dickle-M3d14Z, so everybody would know. and stay away. most assuredly not radical, they need to spell it with a hyphen or k to differentiate it from true “radical media”. like R4dickle-M3d14Z, so everybody would know. and stay away.

]]> By: skysky http://boingboing.net/2011/04/30/ad-agency-to-radical.html#comment-1097110 skysky Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1097110 I'm not going to be too adamant in this defense, but it seems like this is precisely the kind of function that trademark is supposed to provide, and that there isn't really any kind of heinous abuse going on here. The Radical Media company has identified a group using the same name that it (unfortunately, legitimately) sees as a threat to their business. This isn't a case of them denying something that would have absolutely no bearing on their business - they might lose business because of this. And the argument that the Radical Media company is not actually radical is pretty silly. "Radical" has a whole bunch of meanings and connotations. So while it's unfortunate that an actual radical media conference is on the receiving end, it seems to me that if we're going to preserve any sense of trademark, this is it -- a company uses their trademark to differentiate their products. Now, the logic behind giving a trademark to the words "Radical Media," I can't figure out. I’m not going to be too adamant in this defense, but it seems like this is precisely the kind of function that trademark is supposed to provide, and that there isn’t really any kind of heinous abuse going on here.

The Radical Media company has identified a group using the same name that it (unfortunately, legitimately) sees as a threat to their business. This isn’t a case of them denying something that would have absolutely no bearing on their business – they might lose business because of this.

And the argument that the Radical Media company is not actually radical is pretty silly. “Radical” has a whole bunch of meanings and connotations.

So while it’s unfortunate that an actual radical media conference is on the receiving end, it seems to me that if we’re going to preserve any sense of trademark, this is it — a company uses their trademark to differentiate their products.

Now, the logic behind giving a trademark to the words “Radical Media,” I can’t figure out.

]]> By: grimc http://boingboing.net/2011/04/30/ad-agency-to-radical.html#comment-1097113 grimc Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1097113 @radicalmedia has been around for twenty years. These activists came up with the phrase last August. Who's hijacking what? @radicalmedia has been around for twenty years. These activists came up with the phrase last August. Who’s hijacking what?

]]> By: pontusw http://boingboing.net/2011/04/30/ad-agency-to-radical.html#comment-1097117 pontusw Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1097117 @skysky I'm sorry, but you've totally missed the point here. 'Radical media' is a concept that is in common usage and goes back a long time. It's like trademarking the words 'media' or 'film' and then denying anyone from putting on a 'media conference' or a 'film festival'. That is not the purpose of trademarking and I very seriously doubt that this case would have a leg to stand on in court. By the way, this is what Professor John Downing who wrote the book 'Radical Media' back in 1984 said when we told him about it. "As the author of Radical Media (Boston, Mass., 1984), and the second revised edition by the same title in 2001 (Los Angeles, Calif., 2001), both multiply cited in a variety of nations across the planet ever since, it is patently ridiculous and, if persisted with, actionable, for this entity to attempt to hijack my title and exclude legitimate organizations from using it in the public realm. I will enjoy engaging in legal action to forestall their consummate arrogance." @skysky I’m sorry, but you’ve totally missed the point here. ‘Radical media’ is a concept that is in common usage and goes back a long time. It’s like trademarking the words ‘media’ or ‘film’ and then denying anyone from putting on a ‘media conference’ or a ‘film festival’. That is not the purpose of trademarking and I very seriously doubt that this case would have a leg to stand on in court.

By the way, this is what Professor John Downing who wrote the book ‘Radical Media’ back in 1984 said when we told him about it.

“As the author of Radical Media (Boston, Mass., 1984), and the second revised edition by the same title in 2001 (Los Angeles, Calif., 2001), both multiply cited in a variety of nations across the planet ever since, it is patently ridiculous and, if persisted with, actionable, for this entity to attempt to hijack my title and exclude legitimate organizations from using it in the public realm. I will enjoy engaging in legal action to forestall their consummate arrogance.”

]]> By: querent http://boingboing.net/2011/04/30/ad-agency-to-radical.html#comment-1097118 querent Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1097118 I gotta say, in defiance of the advert industry, it's good to find melville and bill hicks on the same comment thread. the internet is all right. I gotta say, in defiance of the advert industry, it’s good to find melville and bill hicks on the same comment thread. the internet is all right.

]]> By: osmo http://boingboing.net/2011/04/30/ad-agency-to-radical.html#comment-1097120 osmo Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1097120 What are you drunk? Radical Media is not something these activists came up with. Looking through old left wing magazines in my shelf the term has been around since the early 90's... in Sweden. The English term, in English, has been used in Sweden for about 20 years. So I can only assume its older in the US or England. @skysky... Radical, revolutionary, murder - all the vogue words have been stolen and rebranded. Like hoodies and BDU's after 2001. Personally I think the people using the term should just set up shop out of EU and just go with it. If they don't know whom to sue they cant sue. What are you drunk? Radical Media is not something these activists came up with. Looking through old left wing magazines in my shelf the term has been around since the early 90′s… in Sweden. The English term, in English, has been used in Sweden for about 20 years. So I can only assume its older in the US or England.

@skysky… Radical, revolutionary, murder – all the vogue words have been stolen and rebranded. Like hoodies and BDU’s after 2001.

Personally I think the people using the term should just set up shop out of EU and just go with it. If they don’t know whom to sue they cant sue.

]]> By: Jake0748 http://boingboing.net/2011/04/30/ad-agency-to-radical.html#comment-1097121 Jake0748 Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1097121 Seems like claiming ownership of a trademark is kind of like a little kid yelling "First!" or "Shotgun!". You put two or more words together (liked "baked potato") then trot on down to some government office and file a claim. If you're in there first you win. Phooey. Seems like claiming ownership of a trademark is kind of like a little kid yelling “First!” or “Shotgun!”. You put two or more words together (liked “baked potato”) then trot on down to some government office and file a claim. If you’re in there first you win. Phooey.

]]> By: grimc http://boingboing.net/2011/04/30/ad-agency-to-radical.html#comment-1097122 grimc Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1097122 What, are you high? RTFA. <blockquote> It seems common sense that any media which reports on radical politics – setting out to serve that constituency – might naturally be referred to as “radical media” so, back in the autumn a small band of volunteers began working to assemble “The Radical media Conference”.</blockquote> In the US the preferable term has been "underground" or "independent" media. And because these folks appear to think they came up with the phrase, "radical media" wasn't common in the UK, either. What, are you high? RTFA.

It seems common sense that any media which reports on radical politics – setting out to serve that constituency – might naturally be referred to as “radical media” so, back in the autumn a small band of volunteers began working to assemble “The Radical media Conference”.

In the US the preferable term has been “underground” or “independent” media. And because these folks appear to think they came up with the phrase, “radical media” wasn’t common in the UK, either.

]]> By: Cory Doctorow http://boingboing.net/2011/04/30/ad-agency-to-radical.html#comment-1097132 Cory Doctorow Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1097132 Trademarks primarily protect nondescriptive terms. For example, Best Buy has received only limited trademark protection (in the words of one judge, "Who wouldn't want to advertise that their product is the 'best buy?'"). This is why, for example, there is a bookstore called Amazon and a computer company called Apple (and why Apple is almost certain to lose "app store"). This is even clearer in UK law. Radical Media (the ad company) has no leg to stand on. Trademarks primarily protect nondescriptive terms. For example, Best Buy has received only limited trademark protection (in the words of one judge, “Who wouldn’t want to advertise that their product is the ‘best buy?’”). This is why, for example, there is a bookstore called Amazon and a computer company called Apple (and why Apple is almost certain to lose “app store”). This is even clearer in UK law. Radical Media (the ad company) has no leg to stand on.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2011/04/30/ad-agency-to-radical.html#comment-1097391 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1097391 how about some real 'radical media'? I'll start: 2002, an extra in Blade2 samples his own image/scene from internet pre-release version of the H-wood film, and places it into his own (pre-prepared) short film, and releases THAT to the internet the same day Blade2 comes out in Cinemas (say what?) - all in protest of the impending DMCA. Hence the title of said short, The Infringement: A Comedy in One (dmc)Act this happened before there were 'viral videos' so it didn't go viral http://vimeo.com/2170544 how about some real ‘radical media’?
I’ll start:
2002, an extra in Blade2 samples his own image/scene from internet pre-release version of the H-wood film, and places it into his own (pre-prepared) short film, and releases THAT to the internet the same day Blade2 comes out in Cinemas (say what?) – all in protest of the impending DMCA. Hence the title of said short, The Infringement: A Comedy in One (dmc)Act
this happened before there were ‘viral videos’ so it didn’t go viral
http://vimeo.com/2170544

]]> By: EH http://boingboing.net/2011/04/30/ad-agency-to-radical.html#comment-1097158 EH Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1097158 Hey idiot, i just trademarked "sky," quit using it in your name. Hey idiot, i just trademarked “sky,” quit using it in your name.

]]> By: politeruin http://boingboing.net/2011/04/30/ad-agency-to-radical.html#comment-1097167 politeruin Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1097167 Sniffing Yul Brynner's noggin? Sniffing Yul Brynner’s noggin?

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2011/04/30/ad-agency-to-radical.html#comment-1097175 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1097175 The revolution will not go better with Coke. The revolution will not go better with Coke.

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