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White House Lawyers Look to Limit Commercial Use of President
Yahoo ^ | Jan. 30, 2009 | Julianna Goldman

Posted on 01/31/2009 8:02:55 AM PST by COUNTrecount

Barack Obama’s popularity makes him a marketer’s dream. Now, the honeymoon may be over for those trying to profit from his appeal.

White House lawyers want to control the use of the president’s image, recognizing the worldwide fascination about Obama’s election, First Amendment free-speech rights and easy access to videos and photos on the Web.

“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,” White House spokeswoman Jen Psaki said.

Obama’s calls for change and his “Yes We Can” campaign mantra are being evoked to sell assembly-required furniture in Ikea’s “Embrace Change” marketing campaign, bargain airfares during Southwest Airlines Inc.’s “Yes You Can” sale and “Yes Pecan” ice cream at Ben & Jerry’s Homemade Inc. shops.

“I can’t remember this ever happening to an active politician before, as a spokesperson or as an image for a brand,” said Brad Adgate, director of research for Horizon Media Inc., a New York-based advertising agency. “He’s in the highest profile of any person in the world right now.”

Riding the wave of Obama’s popularity may become a concern when advertisers use his likeness without permission to imply that Obama is endorsing a product or cause. The White House through the years has objected to commercial use of presidential faces, such as footage of President George H.W. Bush in a Cold War-themed 1989 television ad for cold medication.

(Excerpt) Read more at news.yahoo.com ...


TOPICS: News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: bho44; isthisajoke; marketing; trinkets
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To: COUNTrecount
As long as they don't try to mess with those of us who mess with his image.... for free :)


21 posted on 01/31/2009 8:34:35 AM PST by SparkyBass
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To: COUNTrecount
"...aw, c'mon Jeeves, before we get there can't you slip
me a teensy little hint about what your basketball team
wants to give me?"

22 posted on 01/31/2009 8:34:41 AM PST by badgerlandjim (Hillary Clinton is to politics as Helen Thomas is to beauty.)
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To: COUNTrecount

I am thinking of printing up T-shirts with anti HolyO slogans. I think I could make some good money there. :-)


23 posted on 01/31/2009 8:35:43 AM PST by bergmeid (Watchin' Obrother self-destruct)
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To: cripplecreek
Barack Obama Urinal Target

24 posted on 01/31/2009 8:36:00 AM PST by BenLurkin (Mornie` utulie`. Mornie` alantie`.)
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To: COUNTrecount

Obama wants royalties now? Amazing.


25 posted on 01/31/2009 8:37:59 AM PST by RC2
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To: COUNTrecount

Does this include paid intercourse with campaign contributors?


26 posted on 01/31/2009 8:40:53 AM PST by RichInOC (No! BAD Rich! (What'd I say?))
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To: markmywords

Reminds me of “By Appointment of His Royal Majesty” stamp in Jolly Ole England.


27 posted on 01/31/2009 8:42:36 AM PST by razorback-bert (Save the planet...it is the only known one with beer!)
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To: markmywords
Just another attempt by 0 to stifle free enterprise.
28 posted on 01/31/2009 8:46:37 AM PST by airborne
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To: COUNTrecount
What are the obamaphiles going to wear when they outgrow their Mickey Mouse shirts?

Image Hosted by ImageShack.us

29 posted on 01/31/2009 8:54:22 AM PST by Bon mots
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To: COUNTrecount

Oh please. What they want to limit are the “attacks.” In other words, the amount of negative information made public about this corrupt, unqualified, ignorant clown. Who in the world is stupid/gullible enough to believe Hussein wishes to limit the infinite fawning and glorification he’s received over the past 2 years?


30 posted on 01/31/2009 8:57:11 AM PST by Oldpuppymax (AGENDA OF THE LEFT EXPOSED)
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To: BenLurkin
Obama Brand Butt Kleen®

Obama Butt Kleen® is a fully owned subsidiary of Its Obama's World Inc.®

31 posted on 01/31/2009 9:01:50 AM PST by Iron Munro (Suppose you were an idiot. And suppose you were a member of Congress. But I repeat myself)
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To: COUNTrecount

So the words “change” and “yes we can” are now owned by Obama? Gee, I think those words have been used for years.


32 posted on 01/31/2009 9:03:26 AM PST by keepitreal (Obama brings change: an international crisis (terrorism) within 6 months)
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To: markmywords
The commemorative caps and plates (made in China) being sold at Walgreens has BHO’s signature on them. This means the merchandise is approved by him.

Just like this post...


33 posted on 01/31/2009 9:08:15 AM PST by paulycy ("BEWARE the LIBERAL/MEDIA Complex")
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To: COUNTrecount
So that's how he'll stay in power forever--by copyrighting the title?

The Presidency of the United States of America (c) 2009 Barack Obama

34 posted on 01/31/2009 9:28:49 AM PST by Darkwolf377 (Pro-Life American Atheist)
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To: COUNTrecount
“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,” White House spokeswoman Jen Psaki said.

This is funny coming from the same bunch that sells plates, coins, etc. to pedal this fool.

35 posted on 01/31/2009 9:32:27 AM PST by blake6900 (YOUR AD HERE)
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To: COUNTrecount
So the Obamasia is NOT getting a percentage off of the junk being manufactured with his image on it.Somehow I don't believe that.
36 posted on 01/31/2009 10:58:27 AM PST by puppypusher (The world is going to the dogs.)
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To: COUNTrecount

Gee, I seem to remember a certain production company using actual GW footage in their Bush assassination movie.


37 posted on 01/31/2009 11:07:23 AM PST by Deb (Beat him, strip him and bring him to my tent!)
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To: peridot

Can you be tempted by a Obama Chia Pet? Personally, I’m stocking up.


38 posted on 01/31/2009 11:18:22 AM PST by Deb (Beat him, strip him and bring him to my tent!)
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To: COUNTrecount

Censorship

“Commercial use”

How dare anyone make money from his image—our dear leader (SOCIALIST TYRANT).

The bigger reason (for the conservatives who think socialism/communism can’t happen here) is to intimidate and slow the sale of materials that portray our dear leader in a negative light.

As I’ve said here many times—the hard-left is taking over your country—you know, the communists?

You won’t believe that because you have been conditioned to believe otherwise.

But I hope all of you who don’t think it can happen will give the rest of us some indication when you finally awaken and realize that they are coming for your freedom in a big way—an unprecedented way.

Won’t you be surprised to realize how little has been done in resistance.

The financial crisis was deliberate.

We have been set up.

America is dying—right now, as you read this.


39 posted on 01/31/2009 12:35:14 PM PST by Boucheau
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To: CodeToad; COUNTrecount; BenLurkin; SparkyBass; badgerlandjim; cripplecreek; Iron Munro; Bon mots

40 posted on 01/31/2009 3:56:03 PM PST by Paleo Conservative
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