So you remember our “Halloween Dress-Up” issue, right? The one where we disguised the Mercury as an issue of National Geographic, right?
And you also know that the yellow band and distinctive design of National Geographic is a registered trademark that falls under protection of copyright laws… right? Then you can probably imagine my surprise (or lack thereof) when I received a very official looking letter in the mail this week from (ULP!) National Geographic themselves! Here’s what they had to say about our stupid little “Halloween Dress Up” issue…
Whew! Yet another narrow escape! See? Not everybody in the world is a humorless dick. Well, what are you waiting for? Follow me to the National Geographic site and let’s get a subscription!
That line about hoping that you’re not surprised? Comedy genius. And look, a year’s subscription is only $15.
Man, did you guys dodge a bullet! They could’ve crushed you like a bug.
Bullet?
Nah, Shoulda been covered under parody or Fair Use.
But it’s nice to see that when you turn 120, you handle things such as that like an adult.
Hoorah for National Geographic!
Fair use! Still, very nice of them be cool about it.
Fair use is a copyright concept. National Geographic would have made a claim under trademark law, which is a completely different beast…. Still bully for the NG for not making a mountain out of a molehill.
I already have a subscription to National Geographic…its an amazing magazine. All should indulge.
I’m still trying to get through all those back issues from the 70s and 80s when my parents has a subscription.