Stomp the Yard

Choo-ChooAKA · #1 12-08-2006, 05:04 PM

"Trademark infringement" is vague. Are the Alphas averse to such an avenue of "publicity," or do they simply want to be paid for the use of their letters? Are the producers refusing to pay them or does the national office feel Alpha should not be associated with a Hollywood picture? In other words, is it an ethical or a monetary issue? Neither of the letters make this clear to me.

evaclear04 · #2 12-08-2006, 07:10 PM

The letter is well put...
I'm on the fence. I watched the trailer and read the bio for the story...again still on the fence

AKA_Monet · #3 12-08-2006, 10:48 PM

I kinna hate to be blunt, but I'm gonna do it...

There are a few reasons why the Alpha's and now, AKA's are boycotting "THIS" movie:

There are some parts in it that one cannot gage from the trailer, which comes too close to a "perceived" ritual of intake... I personnallly don't care to know what the MIP rituals of Alpha's are, but I am willing to "fathom" that there is some "focus" on one aspect of it, that pissed off the Old Head Alpha's...

Which comes to my second part, most the old head's HATE stepping... Some hate it with a passion. So, during the Alpha's centennial, they are asking do we have to hype ourselves up by stepping? Then this movie comes out to add insult to injury... I have heard them, "all these boys wanna do, is step... When you need dem at Alpha University, where are they? But when we sing the International Hymn, where are they... Blah, Blah, Blah"

It's like, this separation between the generations thing again... This is how the young folks market to each other. Just 'cuz some old heads hate it doesn't mean it's "gang activity". Who are these young folks "archetypes". At the same time, the young folks have to understand on how to communicate to the elders. They are a WEALTH of information...

We no longer do the civil rights protests from the 60's... Let it go... Besides, some racists have found a way to ignore it... Or even Suffragate...

We "myspace" and text msg. Hayle, we could have a "virtual Greek Organization..." I wouldn't like that because there is hella Community Service that's sorely needed and folks fail to volunteer generally...

But then, that may be a societal problem, where young folks are just ungrateful now and think things are owed to them... They barely had to suffer unless a parent was utterly dysfunctional...

Who knows?

PhDiva · #4 12-12-2006, 03:33 AM

AKA_Monet: I guess I can see both sides of this debate. I can agree with the Old Head perspective, we do need so much work done in the community but it seems that many younger folks take for granted the rights and privileges other people died for and service is the least of their worries.
But at the same time, with Black student enrollment in college declining and thus our presence on campuses (esp. PWIs) being so low, what other means do the D9 organizations have to spark initial interest but through highly visible and entertaining activities like stepping? It might be a good idea for both groups to brainstorm ways to grow memberships without losing touch of our founder's respective legacies. The fact of the matter is that our younger generations will have to carry on the work of our organizations and if they (as if I'm old) are not involved in the governance and decision making, I worry if our relevance will be lost.

Regarding the letter, it was well written and quite compelling but if not officially given the green light to use Alpha trademarks, I don't think legally the movie producers have any other choice but to remove them. It would be nice, but probably unlikely, that we'll ever know if this is about money or ethics.

PhDiva

SummerChild · #5 12-12-2006, 10:48 AM

PhDiva, as a patent and trademark atty, I can say that yes, you are gneerally right re permission to use trademarks. If the frat has not given permission to use their trademarks, they cannot be lawfully used. HOWEVER (BIG HOWEVER), the question really turns on just what the company is using. They may not be using the trademarks literally. I seriously doubt that Sony would be dumb enough to just use the fraternity's trademarks wholesale like that. I seriously doubt that Sony's legal counsel has not gone through the film with a fine tooth comb. However, anything is possible. I will stand by the fraternity however, b/c they paid good money for their intellectual property (I should know as I see our bills) and, more importantly, they have built up 100 years of goodwill in their trademarks, and if they believe that they are being used unlawfully, I will stand by them and not pay $$ for the film.

ETA: what is interesting is that Mr. Hardy would write this letter. it's almost as if he is *admitting* that he is using the trademarks in a round about kind of way. this might work against him if the Fraternity does haul him (and Sony) into court. i wonder if he got the advice of legal counsel before writing this letter. a phone call woud probably have been better. lol.

SC

Quote:

Originally Posted by PhDiva

Regarding the letter, it was well written and quite compelling but if not officially given the green light to use Alpha trademarks, I don't think legally the movie producers have any other choice but to remove them. It would be nice, but probably unlikely, that we'll ever know if this is about money or ethics.

PhDiva

LoisLane · #6 12-12-2006, 05:38 PM

You all have made some interesting points.
I too agree that as owners Alpha Phi Alpha has every right to enforce the use of their trademark as they see fit, and if that was their position, I could respect that.
However in the call to boycott letter that Darryl Matthews issued the first thing he stated was that it was on the grounds of juxtaposition of gang violence as though the movie is misaligned with the vision, goals, and objectives of the fraternity. If Rob Hardy's letter is accurate, it’s hard for me to imagine that someone could come to that conclusion without having seen the movie. If they had seen it and came to that conclusion, fine. They are encouraging others not to see it, but they haven’t seen it either. It leads me to believe that it’s ALL ABOUT MONEY, but isn't it always?

SummerChild · #7 12-12-2006, 06:27 PM

LoisLane, I guess I don't follow you. Of course they are encouraging others not to go and see it. The surest way to communicate one's point is to hit the other person in the pocket.

Also, if the grounds for the boycott are juxtaposition of gang violence (I don't recall what the grounds were) you have to ask yourself juxtaposition of *what* with gang violence. That is where the trademarked symbols, the Fraternity's goodwill (i.e., rep) that is associated with the symbols, etc. comes in isn't it?

Perhaps I have missed your point. Not sure.
SC

Quote:

Originally Posted by LoisLane

You all have made some interesting points.
I too agree that as owners Alpha Phi Alpha has every right to enforce the use of their trademark as they see fit, and if that was their position, I could respect that.
However in the call to boycott letter that Darryl Matthews issued the first thing he stated was that it was on the grounds of juxtaposition of gang violence as though the movie is misaligned with the vision, goals, and objectives of the fraternity. If Rob Hardy's letter is accurate, it’s hard for me to imagine that someone could come to that conclusion without having seen the movie. If they had seen it and came to that conclusion, fine. They are encouraging others not to see it, but they haven’t seen it either. It leads me to believe that it’s ALL ABOUT MONEY, but isn't it always?

ladygreek · #8 12-15-2006, 03:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AKA_Monet

IWhich comes to my second part, most the old head's HATE stepping... Some hate it with a passion.

That may be the situation in Alpha, but in my experience that is not an overeaching sentiment. My mother until she died at 84 always bought tickets to the step shows at our conventions and conferences. She and the rest of the "Delta Dears" clamored for the best seats, because they loved the step shows.

As an old head myself, I too, enjoy the shows. What I don't like are obscenity and sororities acting like frats, but that's a whole 'nother issue.

As for this issue. Again the fundamental issue is trademark infringement and folx feeling as if they can just represent our orgs without properapprovals. That to me is a no brainer. If you aren't willing to go through the proper channels, what are you hiding about the end product?

And again, if you really just wanted to make a point with the movie why not just fictionalize the names?

Honeykiss1974 · #9 12-17-2006, 03:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ladygreek

And again, if you really just wanted to make a point with the movie why not just fictionalize the names?

Thank you.

I thought I was the only person wondering why they didn't just do this.

Quote:

I never understood why many people feel black movies are supposed to be some kind of education tool.

I guess this is the ultimate catch-22 for those in entertainment. Does social responsibilty to your race/ethnic group superceed creativity? (Creativity meaning the right to create or produce whatever you want - where its music, screenplays, etc. regardless if its for pure entertainment or eucation). Thoughts?