Obama Camp Taking Printer to Tool Shed –Cagle
President Obama is roughing up a member of the printing industry. While it’s not going to cost him the 2012 election—in what some perceive as the lack of a viable GOP candidate—it’s certainly a minor blemish at an inopportune time. And Obama really has little, if anything, to do with the incident in question.
It was Obama’s re-election campaign that decided to sue a printer (Washington Promotions & Printing) back in October. The campaign alleges trademark infringement and unfair competition violations via the sale of items featuring the “Rising Sun” logo used in Obama’s campaigns, Reuters reported.
The suit contends that Washington Promotions & Printing’s products will make consumers believe the company is associated with Obama for America, hurting the campaign’s ability to make money off of merchandise with the Rising Sun logo. Obama for America is seeking a court order to halt the sale of the products, along with an accounting and award of profits from the defendant, damages and attorney fees.
Without knowing any details surrounding the case, the campaign has every right to protect its logos. And, perhaps it tried sending a cease and desist letter to Washington Promotions & Printing. But, even if these assumptions are correct, nothing positive can come from one of the country’s most powerful marketing machines taking a small-time printing and promotional products firm to the tool shed, in full view of the industry.
Our Website recorded an abnormally high number of page views for the story, and several readers posted their general disgust with the Obama campaign in the comments section. It predictably served as fuel to the conservative fire, since many business owners tend to be Republicans. Partisan politics may be coloring the reactions a deeper shade of (anger) red, but it is unlikely that the lawsuit would sway any undecided voters.
PURPLE REIGN: Who said community activism is dead? Not the good folks of North Platte, NE. This past summer, they were challenged by the organizers of “Relay for Life of Lincoln County,” a benefit to raise money for the American Cancer Society, to paint the town purple. Literally.
Among the local businesses taking the lead on this initiative was Pro Printing and Graphics, which served as an information center for the Aug. 6 relay and performed its civic duty by whipping out the paint rollers and splashing a coat of purple across the front lawn of the business.
Company owner Judy Pederson was happy to allow her business to help raise awareness of the event. Pro Printing’s information station provided brochures and purple collectibles such as jewelry, sunglasses, candy, banners and floral leis, the North Platte Telegraph reported.
“We were looking for a retail location to use and Judy has been gracious enough to let us take over and ’purple-fy’ her store,” Kristen Parker, relay chair, told the paper.
Pederson provided Bits and Pieces with a photo (above) of the purple transformation. In addition to helping raise funds for a worthwhile cause, she might have stumbled on the next big ancillary offering for printers: Yard painting.
DRAWING A LINE: Times are tough, and it takes a high level of intestinal fortitude to decline a printing job due to a personal objection to either the subject matter or the client. And, in the case of one printer just saying no, it took more than a little chutzpah to take a stand.
According to the Tokyo Reporter, a printer union in Hyogo Prefecture has decided its members will refuse to place orders from gangsters. The Hyogo Printing Industry Association voted to distance itself from organized crime, and will no longer produce such mafioso staples as business cards and New Year’s greeting cards.
Who knew that mobsters needed business cards? Once upon a time, you’d recognize a fellow gangster by his murder technique of preference.
HAPPY HOLIDAYS: It has certainly been a trying year, especially given the constant flow of bad news surrounding bankruptcies and plant closures. It’s pretty easy to get frustrated with the challenges of the day, but it’s particularly important to be thankful for the gifts that we do have—especially loved ones—and to take the time to lend a hand to those less fortunate.
There is a plethora of worthwhile organizations that could use your help. And, it maybe just what the doctor ordered to scare up a little good karma for 2012. As much as you may be struggling, there are those for who just waking up is their lone salvation. PI
—Erik Cagle
