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French Retailer Seeks to Trademark Anonymous Logo; Anonymous Strikes Back

By James Lu - on 1 Aug 2012, 10:57am

French Retailer Seeks to Trademark Anonymous Logo; Anonymous Strikes Back

Source: bases-marques.inpi.fr

In a daring (and possibly foolish) move, French e-retailer Early Flicker appears have registered a trademark on the well-known logo used by supporters of internet group Anonymous as well as their slogan, "Anonymous. We are legion. We do not forgive. We do not forget. Expect us."

The company is already selling Anonymous merchandise on their website, and has apparently registered the trademark for a range of different product categories, including clothing, handbags and accessories, and cooking and cleaning utensils. 

To the surprise of absolutely no-one, Anonymous quickly coordinated and created Operation AnonTrademark, releasing a Youtube video and creating a collaborative document on IRC to discuss how best to deal with Early Flicker. At present, the Early Flicker website appears to be unmolested, although for how long, remains to be seen.

Transcript of the Anonymous Youtube video:

Hello Citizens of the world, we are Anonymous.

Dear brothers and sisters, now is the time to open your eyes and expose the truth! Anonymous logo and slogan has been defiled and registered through the National Institute of Industrial Property (INPI). An online t-shirt company called "Early Flicker" or "E-flicker" has registered the anonymous slogan and logo and passed it on as their own.

Now under French law the company owns the rights to the anonymous logo and slogan. The company's website is pickapop.fr. In a response the National Institute of Industrial Property said that "the conditions seem fulfilled since the mark is registered and it does not seem to have made ​​use." Their arrogance and ignorance of what they have done will not go un punished. Anonymous will take down any business they have going on the internet and the 99 percent will not stop until the registration has been revoked and a public apology has been made.

The name of Anonymous will not be the whore of the world.

We are Anonymous. We are Legion. We do not forgive. We do not forget. Expect us.

 Source: Wired.co.uk

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