12 Apr 2009
Playmobil Bible faces wrath of lawyers

Much as I'd like to stick this one in 'Humor', I just can't. Are these figures "Intellectual Property"? Or physical objects? Can I be sued for modifying an object that I own and displaying the results?

When I was a kid some of my favorite toys were my GI Joe dolls - no link, because I don't think they make the big, 12 inch variety anymore. But even "GI Astronaut" got a bit boring after a while, so we played "GI Joe and Barbie in the French Revolution", using some faux period doll clothes and my best friend's little sister's Barbie as Marie Antoinette. Needless to say, Anne was not happy with the queen's fate, but at least I didn't have Mattel and Hasbro lawyers suing me for violating their "intellectual property".

Times have changed, indeed.

A German evangelical pastor who's recreated biblical scenes from Playmobil figures has been given until 6 April to pull his website, or face the wrath of the company's lawyers. Markus Bomhard's principal sin was to adapt the figures - for example by gluing breasts to Eve and melting Jesus with a hairdryer the better to attach him to a crucifix.

(link) [The Register]

16:53 /Copywrongs | 1 comment | permanent link