05 May 2006
'West Point' Off Limits to Anti-War Alums

Apparently the government is now using trademark law to suppress speech, much as private companies have been doing for the last decade. But in this case, it's even more absurd: The United States Military Academy at West Point is publicly funded (i.e. by tax dollars). Furthermore, the name of the organization that the Army objects to is "West Point Graduates Against the War". It's open only to West Point graduates. What are they supposed to call themselves? "United States Military Academy Graduates Against the War"? That's probably trademarked, too.

OK, how about "Former United States Army Officers with Professional Training Against the War"? Oops - "United States Army" - trademarked!

If they really want the government to quit bitching, they should try "West Point Graduates For the War". There'd be no objection then, I'm certain.

This isn't about the war in Iraq: this is about the war currently being fought in the Courts and in Congress. This is about using intellectual property law to stifle competition.

AP - The Army warned an anti-war group of former U.S. Military Academy cadets to stop using the words "West Point" in its name, saying they are trademarked.

(link) [Yahoo! News: Top Stories]

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