See also Arkell v. Pressdram

April 19, 2024 12:14 PM

The maker of a "Fuck the LAPD" t-shirt received a takedown notice from the Los Angeles Police Foundation on the grounds that the shirt infringed its trademark on "LAPD". Their lawyer's response was nothing if not concise.

Previously: I feel that you should be aware some asshole is signing your name to stupid letters.
Arkell v. Pressdram

posted by Horace Rumpole (24 comments total)

Alternative take, in shirt form: Don't Actually Fuck The Police
posted by aubilenon at 12:31 PM on April 19 [11 favorites]

archive.org
posted by Gorgik at 12:32 PM on April 19 [9 favorites]

Who would've guessed the people behind the 'Steal Your Mouse' t-shirt would take a relaxed attitude toward fair use?
posted by box at 12:37 PM on April 19 [4 favorites]

LOL. LMAO, even.
posted by The Ardship of Cambry at 12:52 PM on April 19 [4 favorites]

I would have thought this would come from the Lakers, but it seems apparent they're smarter than that.
posted by JoeZydeco at 12:56 PM on April 19 [6 favorites]

Perhaps the Lakers also hate the L.A. police.
posted by wenestvedt at 12:58 PM on April 19 [24 favorites]

Literally the police department “Fuck the Police” was written about. Fuck those guys.
posted by Abehammerb Lincoln at 1:09 PM on April 19 [50 favorites]

Dear LAPD Foundation:

Attached is a letter that we received on November 19, 1974. I feel that you should be aware that some asshole is signing your name to stupid letters.

Very truly yours,

etc., etc.
posted by Ickster at 1:10 PM on April 19 [20 favorites]

Annnnnd now I see that the famous Browns letter is referenced in the post.

Dear Ickster, some asshole is signing your name to redundant comments.
posted by Ickster at 1:11 PM on April 19 [67 favorites]

Ngl, I kinda want the Aileen Wuornos "He Told Me to Smile More" tee.
posted by Kitteh at 1:13 PM on April 19 [10 favorites]

"AND I SAY IT WITH AUTHORITY"
posted by elkevelvet at 1:14 PM on April 19 [1 favorite]

They have taken down the T-Shirt page though [cache]
posted by Lanark at 1:38 PM on April 19

I would have thought this would come from the Lakers, but it seems apparent they're smarter than that.

I think the Lakers might actually have a case... it would be hard to argue that this design is a parody of the Lakers; it's just repurposing of one of their trademarks for an unrelated message.
posted by mr_roboto at 1:39 PM on April 19 [5 favorites]

They have taken down the T-Shirt page though

In the article he says it's sold out, he hasn't decided if he'll make more. But he has other Fuck the Police merch if you're really jonesing.
posted by Greg_Ace at 1:56 PM on April 19 [1 favorite]

Yeah the Lakers might have a case. Not thinking whomever owns the "LAPD" concept (see what I did there?), would have a case. But, IANAL.

Also satire and freedom of speech and such...

(Could Police Culture be any worse? Other than total essentially military rule, which, I get, is a thing in many places, but here? I thought we had rules. Seems like not for the police...)

"LOL, No"
posted by Windopaene at 2:25 PM on April 19 [3 favorites]

LOL, fuck yeah.
posted by rum-soaked space hobo at 3:22 PM on April 19 [2 favorites]

mr_roboto: I think the Lakers might actually have a case... it would be hard to argue that this design is a parody of the Lakers; it's just repurposing of one of their trademarks for an unrelated message.

See American Greetings v Penny Arcade
posted by dr_dank at 3:29 PM on April 19

see Fuck You vs ChatGPT
posted by j_curiouser at 4:31 PM on April 19 [1 favorite]

Dear Ickster, some asshole is signing your name to redundant comments.

Dear Ickster, please accept this commendation for Best Non-redundant Redundancy: 🏆(The link in the referenced post is broken so your redundancy is rendered a public service.)
posted by EvaDestruction at 4:35 PM on April 19 [8 favorites]

If I ran the Los Angeles police department, I'd find some way to name a squad or division or whatever ANCE. Anti narcotics counterterrorism enforcement or something. It's not important, just the initials
posted by Jacen at 6:40 PM on April 19 [7 favorites]

LAPDANCE? $20, SAIT
posted by wenestvedt at 7:54 PM on April 19 [8 favorites]

(Alternative take, in shirt form: Don't Actually Fuck The Police

Seriously though. Given the higher rates of domestic abuse among police, plus their tendency to protect their own meaning that victims can expect even less help/support or justice than the usual very little, just from a personal safety perspective actually fucking the police is statistically a bad idea.)
posted by eviemath at 3:53 AM on April 20 [9 favorites]

"FREE SHIPPING TO THE U.S. IMPERIAL CORE."

TV show "The Shield" closely based on the L.A. police department.

They couldn't use L.A. police badges because of copyright law. Also:

According to University of Southern California law professor Erwin Chemerinsky, CRASH's transgressions were a result of their officers "planting evidence and committing perjury to gain convictions" of innocent civilians whom they framed for gang activity. The unit was also involved in inner-department shootings, bank robberies, and excessive force investigations that had their members' involvement covered up through perjury and intimidation (via Frontline). To this day, the LAPD still is chasing the ghosts of its CRASH past, and according to Police Score Card, they are still involved in more police shootings per arrest than 81% of other police units in the United States.
posted by craniac at 6:44 AM on April 20 [4 favorites]

I'm not sure if there's an annual contest for best legal motion, filing, judgement, etc of the year, but if there was this would surely be the victor for 2024.

"LOL, no."

I love that they properly punctuated it.
posted by sotonohito at 9:18 AM on April 21 [4 favorites]