Saddam's Cronies in the US surfaced..

[Slaughter]

Actually not really, just going to Rant a little about an unamerican, American company.

American Greetings really crossed the line today, by putting limits on anothers Freedom of Speech and Press. American Greetings recently threatened to sue Penny Arcade for the comic regarding American McGee.. saying that the characture they depicted was that of Strawberry Shortcake, one of their intelectual properties I assume.

In my opinion the characture was nothing that reminded me of "Strawberry Shortcake". Thus being so, as well as my love for the work Gabe and Tycho do, I emailed American Greetings telling them that what I thought they did was wrong and that I from now on not a customer of theirs. Guess its Hallmark from now on for me.

Read the Article at http://www.penny-arcade.com

Say whatever you want, just know that I have already stated my opinion and stand firmly beside it.

[[AK]The Beast]

I'm no lawyer, but it seems to me that if they drew a comic that depicted American McGee looking like Strawberry Shortcake, that would fall under fair use/protected speech as a satire/parody. IMHO, if it had gone to court, Tycho and Gabe probably would have won. They probably didn't want to fight due to the expense involved. Thousands of dollars mean little to a company the size of American Greetings; it means much more to a couple web comic artists.

[[AK]Squidly]

I support the concept of intellectual property, and I think companies should stand strong in defense of their "goods".

That said, Strawberry Shortcake is a hottie.

[[AK]Bribo]

Penny Arcade strikes back!

[[AK]Leonidas]

Legally, I'm pretty sure the Gabe & Tycho were totally in the right. The comic was pure parody, which is strongly protected. But they were also right to pull the comic instead of fighting, because there is no way they could have afforded the legal fees.

This is why we need the English Rule in American courts, where the loser has to pay the legal fees of the winner. Then Gabe & Tycho could probably have hired somebody to defend them.

[[AK]Squidly]

Probably wouldn't be an issue if they didn't actually use the name "Strawberry Shortcake." "Raspberry Shortbread" would've been a safer choice.

Regardless, you can only ride the parody horse so far.

Publish artwork with the McDonald's golden arches depicted as two large naked breasts, HamBurgler dressed like a pimp, and keep the McDonalds name in there, and see if you don't get some legal action thrown your way.

[Hale]

We sell American Greetings almost exclusively. Quit your whining!

[Slaughter]

Heh, remind me not to buy anything from Hale.. I'm boycotting American Greetings.

[[AK]Palooka]

Good old Slaughter -- ever passionate about the most infinitesimal of things.

[Slaughter]

I always fight for the little guy..

[[AK]Faxman]

Penny Arcade is about as funny as SARS.

[[AK]Bribo]

Originally posted by [AK]Faxman
Penny Arcade is about as funny as SARS.

ROFLMAO