US Olympic Committee sends cease and desist letter to a knitting social network

[Beryana]

So, I'm a member of Ravelry.com - a social network for knitters and crocheters - but I'm not sure how many others have heard of this little incident.

Every other year (Olympic year) there is a "Ravelympics" which consists of knittings and crocheting 'competitions' over the course of the actual Olympic Games. Seems the USOC has decided these competitions actually detract from the accomplishments of the Olympic athletes. . . Personally, I think their stance is stupid on a number of levels - one of which being not all of the 2 million Ravelry members live in the US (though the site is hosted and maintained in the US). Another thought that came to mind is if the USOC claims trademark infringement on the term 'Ravelympics' what about all the 'Mini Olympics' that take place on college campuses within the US?! Or all the Greek restaurants with Olympic in their names. . .

Here is an article that links to the letter (or at least covers the entire thing without requiring registration at Ravelry - unless you are a knitter or crocheter ). http://gawker.com/5920036/us-olympic...ium=socialflow

[AOII Angel]

You'd think they'd be too busy with actually getting ready for the olympics to worry about fans knitting while watching the game. Oh the horror.

[amIblue?]

They seriously don't have more important things to do?

[tinydancer]

Now that's just stupid.

[ColdInCanada11]

Originally Posted by Beryana

So, I'm a member of Ravelry.com - a social network for knitters and crocheters - but I'm not sure how many others have heard of this little incident.

Every other year (Olympic year) there is a "Ravelympics" which consists of knittings and crocheting 'competitions' over the course of the actual Olympic Games. Seems the USOC has decided these competitions actually detract from the accomplishments of the Olympic athletes. . . Personally, I think their stance is stupid on a number of levels - one of which being not all of the 2 million Ravelry members live in the US (though the site is hosted and maintained in the US). Another thought that came to mind is if the USOC claims trademark infringement on the term 'Ravelympics' what about all the 'Mini Olympics' that take place on college campuses within the US?! Or all the Greek restaurants with Olympic in their names. . .

Here is an article that links to the letter (or at least covers the entire thing without requiring registration at Ravelry - unless you are a knitter or crocheter ). http://gawker.com/5920036/us-olympic...ium=socialflow

This is one of the most ridiculous things I've heard in a long time. I have quite a few family members who are members who are not in any way American.

[ForeverRoses]

Next thing you know they will have to rename the Olympic Mountain Range..

I do remember a few years ago that they went after the "Gay Olympics", which had to rename themselves the "Gay Games".

[Beryana]

And the response. . . .
http://www.teamusa.org/News/2012/Jun...-sandusky.aspx

[shirley1929]

Originally Posted by Beryana

And the response. . . .
http://www.teamusa.org/News/2012/Jun...-sandusky.aspx

I'm more bothered by the fact that the guy's last name is Sandusky. I think I'd be changing that name - particularly if I were a semi-public figure associated with sports in any way. Yikes.

ETA: The whole ceast and desist thing is absolutely stupid.

[33girl]

Originally Posted by shirley1929

I'm more bothered by the fact that the guy's last name is Sandusky. I think I'd be changing that name - particularly if I were a semi-public figure associated with sports in any way. Yikes.

I'm sorry but this comment is just absolutely ridiculous. I'm pretty sure there are still people bearing the last names of Manson, Dahmer, Dillinger, Parker ad nauseum.

[amIblue?]

Originally Posted by shirley1929

I'm more bothered by the fact that the guy's last name is Sandusky. I think I'd be changing that name - particularly if I were a semi-public figure associated with sports in any way. Yikes.

ETA: The whole ceast and desist thing is absolutely stupid.

Originally Posted by 33girl

I'm sorry but this comment is just absolutely ridiculous. I'm pretty sure there are still people bearing the last names of Manson, Dahmer, Dillinger, Parker ad nauseum.

To paraphrase the character Michael Bolton from Office Space, why should he change, the other one is the one who sucks.

[shirley1929]

Originally Posted by 33girl

I'm sorry but this comment is just absolutely ridiculous. I'm pretty sure there are still people bearing the last names of Manson, Dahmer, Dillinger, Parker ad nauseum.

You are totally right. It's just what I honed in on...the timing of it all (given that the jury has the case at this exact moment) is just too weird. All those names aren't in the news TODAY. I see Dillinger et al in the news today, NBD...but Sandusky? Related to sports? Yeah...that just stands out.

Originally Posted by amIblue?

To paraphrase the character Michael Bolton from Office Space, why should he change, the other one is the one who sucks.

Favorite movie. But I probably would have gone by Mike if I were that guy.

[DubaiSis]

I love that they had to succumb to the power of a bunch of knitting-needle wielding old ladies who like to knit while they watch the Olympics. The response had me laughing out loud. Somehow I bet they didn't appreciate the voracity with which the knitting world would fight back.

I LOVE the Olympics and what they stand for (less so what they have become financially), but if you're talking Olympics=financial gain, it seems to me they just discovered a new market to tap for their advertisers. Middle aged white ladies like to knit while they watch the Olympics!

[melindawarren]

Agh. I'm a huge sports follower (ok, a two-sport follower: gymnastics and figure skating, with dabbles of soccer), so I wind up watching the Olympics every two years. But really?!

[AGDee]

I believe the problem is that they were selling patterns that contained trademarks. I think that part of it is fair. It was my understanding, when most of our orgs began using Greek Licensing, that if we don't try to protect our trademarks and then find ourselves in a situation where we really need to protect our marks, the court case can be thrown out. So, by selling patterns containing the Olympic rings, they are in violation. I don't see the other points as valid though. I remember the question came up whether we can still make things with our letters if we're not licensed and the answer we received was that if we aren't selling things, then we are free to use our trademarks.

[honeychile]

Sounds like the Olympic Games people need to find a knitting needle in an uncomfortable place!