Posted on 02/02/2009 2:35:52 PM PST by Sub-Driver
White House moves to protect Barack Obama brand from exploiters Michelle Obama protests at Beanie Baby dolls 'Sweet Sasha' and 'Marvellous Malia' as products include Yes Pecan ice cream
Tim Reid, Washington
He has rapidly become one of the world's most powerful brands, helping to sell products from “Yes Pecan” ice cream to “The Audacity of Soap” cleansing bars. Now the White House is insisting on control over the Barack Obama merchandising free-for-all.
The new President's White House lawyers are looking at ways to safeguard the use of his image after a boom in Obama-related products has raised concerns that his reputation could become tarnished by such commercialisation.
Jen Psaki, a White House spokeswoman, said: “Our lawyers are working on developing a policy that will protect the presidential image while being careful not to squelch the overwhelming enthusiasm that the public has for the President.”
Since the inauguration Michelle Obama, the First Lady, has complained about a company that sells dolls with the same names as her daughters: the Sweet Sasha and Marvellous Malia figures. The company, Ty Inc, maker of Beanie Baby toys, said the names were a coincidence.
(Excerpt) Read more at timesonline.co.uk ...
Can I still fly a black flag?
I betcha the Vatican is going to claim they’ve got dibs on the word “messiah”
We’ve got dibs on the words “free” and “republic”, not to mention, “hugh”, “series”, or “stunned”.
In a year’s time, the big O’s brand will be Edselized and in need of its own bailout.
First there was Jesus Junk, now there’s Barack Bric-a-Brac.
If Barry wants to be the Messiah, he’ll just have to put up with the tacky crud that goes with it.
BTW, could you imagine the media uproar if a Republican President attempted to exert such control?
He runs a pop star campaign, complete with pictures of him with a halo and pulling stunts like the Barackopolis, then complains when people treat him just like a pop star.
That’s over now, I won, Obey!
I don’t care about this.
What has he done for the people of Kentucky?
I love it. It’s the American way, to make a buck off of some magnanimous leader’s ideosyncrasties.
Viva Capitalism.
How low can this country sink?
We will be finding out.
(communism)Yes, Comrades, free enterprise must be stopped in all of its forms if Marxism will prevail. Can't have entrepreneurs making a few bucks off Obama T-Shirts to save their skins in a recession when we can spend $900 Billion to build a few bridges and spread $100 million worth of condoms around.
Karl Marx only knows, if these people get smart and start selling stuff, it might help light a damn fire under this evil Capitalist economy that we have been trying to kill since the Cold War. (/communism)
isn’t he a public figure (ie president)?
Never piss off Big Mama.
Does this mean they’re coming for my Obama toilet paper?
They really do hate capitalism, especially when they’re not getting any kickbacks. Got to Pay to Play in the ObamaNation.
Worth repeating, then filing under WTF and YHGTBSM and EHFSDTTWA (exactly how stupid do they think we are?).
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