Toasted Heretic burnt by I.P. issues?
January 16th, 2006 | by aobaoill |Courtesy of Simon, an odd story on the Toasted Heretic website, about how they have been sent a cease-and-desist in response to their use of (a parody of) the Tayto-man logo on their new album, Now in New Nostalgia Flavour, which is essentially a reissue of their 1980s albums, which also featured the parody graphic.
Having dealt with Julian Gough, lead singer of the group, when he tried to embarrass/humiliate a good friend (and fellow UCG FM-volunteer) during her first on-air experience it’s strangely comforting to see the occasionally plaintive tone of his response:
If your client, graciously, grants us permission, then any future unauthorised reference to your trademark by any other parties would not be able to cite us as precedent.
However Gough does make some interesting – if not necessarily legally-sound – arguments about the manner in which brands can become part of the the cultural landscape, and therefore should be open to appropriation and amendment by artists and others.
One Response to “Toasted Heretic burnt by I.P. issues?”
By Julian Gough on Jan 18, 2006 | Reply
Did I really embarrass and humiliate a friend of yours? If so, I’m very sorry and I do apologise to you, and to her. I can’t remember the incident, so I’m hoping it was years and years ago. I was a very spiky young man back then, far too easily taking offence (and far too easily causing offence).
I’m glad you found some of my arguments interesting.
Please do pass on my apologies to your friend.
-Julian Gough