The parodies of the Beijing Olympic emblem and mascots on some
websites constitute violations of the law and Olympic spirit, an
official with the legal affairs department of Beijing Olympic
organizer BOCOG said in an interview with Xinhua News
Agency?on Monday.
Recently, the Beijing Olympic emblem and mascots have suffered
from constant parodies. Mischievous Internet users have mocked up
and changed the emblem for the 2008 Beijing Olympics to public
toilet signs and redesigned the five mascot Fuwas.
The official condemned the pranks, warning that BOCOG will keep
a close eye on the latest developments and reserves the right of
lawsuits against these illegal actions.
The emblem for the Beijing Olympics was unveiled in 2003 and the
mascots in 2005. Both have been registered with the Beijing
Municipal Copyright Bureau. BOCOG has acquired related intellectual
property rights for trademarks, copyright and the Olympic logo.
The official said according to the country's copyright law,
copyrights include the right of integrity. Works are protected
against adaptation and alteration. As the copyright owner of the
Beijing Olympic emblem and mascots, BOCOG possesses the right to
protect them from distortion. The artists have violated laws.
In addition, the websites that post the parodies have increased
their click rates by hosting these materials, profiting as well
from a business standpoint. Their deeds also violate laws.
The official stressed the Olympic emblem and mascots represent
the Olympic spirit and deserve respect. These pranks, he said,
defame the Olympic spirit.
(CRI January 17, 2007)