Archive for February 4th, 2006

2006.02.04

Pillow Fight!

When? February 14th.
Where? Justin Herman Plaza (Embarcadero at Market)
Why? Because!

The Rules:
1) Tell everyone you know about PILLOW FIGHT!!!
2) Wait for the Ferry Building clock to strike 6:00pm
3) Don’t hit anyone with out a pillow (unless they want it)
4) Don’t hit anyone with a camera
5) HAVE FUN!!!
(Rain plan: put your pillow in a plastic bag, see Rules 1 – 5)

2006.02.04

Free Speech Under Attack

HR 683 – the Trademark Dilution Revision Act, is a new law that has passed through the House and is currently waiting review by the Senate. It will make it painfully simple for the holders of trademarks to sue you if their trademarked items appear in any artwork you create. This means if a Coke bottle appears in a photo you take the Coca Cola company could hypothetically sue you for severe damages.

This is a clear attack on free speech. It’s one thing to sue someone for appropriating your trademarked product and using it to deliberately smear your product and company. It’s a completely different thing to sue a bunch of high school art students who use a Clorox Bleach bottle in a still life drawing. I’ve taken pictures of products with funny tag lines and these companies could sue me despite the fact that their tag line is funny.

Read more detailed information about this serious issue here and write to Barbara Boxer and Dianne Feinstein (as well as Arlen Specter who heads the Judiciary Committee) and let them know you oppose this legislation. This has nothing to do with liberal or conservative tendencies; everyone who is involved in artistic persuits -professionally or as a hobby- will be affected by this legislation.