Pay the Borg for every camping trip?

jessicsm · Post by **jessicsm** » Thu Sep 16, 2004 10:56 am

Anyone know what the F**** is up with this:

http://tarr.uspto.gov/servlet/tarr?regs ... y=78218887

I mean, what the . . .?

Are we going to have to pay the Borg every time we get together with some of our burner friends for some drinks, or camping, after the burn?

This just seems like a big "screw you!" from the BMOrg to the regional groups, and to smaller local burner-families, who have used the word "decompression" for years to refer to small and large gatherings alike.

It appears as if community building is no longer a priority . . .

primate · Post by **primate** » Thu Sep 16, 2004 12:09 pm

that sucks pretty bad.
funny, a couple years back it seems I recall reading that the burning man image, logo, likeness etc was open to use by anyone as long as it wasn't used for profit.

I guess that has changed.
Money always has a way of changing how you think.
.

rodent · Post by **rodent** » Thu Sep 16, 2004 12:45 pm

well... there's no indication that the BMORG LLC is going to charge for use of the description "Decompression".

It's is forseeable that the LLC just wants the ability to limit the use of "decompression" as a label on (for example) a Budweiser Music Festival or the Philip Morris Post Playa Decompression Advertizing Clusterfuck.

The same is true for use of the words "burningman" and the "man" logo. Without some form of trademark or copyright limitations, I could sell a Burningman Porn Flick. And, even under the asumption "burning man image, logo, likeness etc was open to use by anyone as long as it wasn't used for profit." I could sell the same video as a nonprofit.

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rodent (putting the eek in geek)

jessicsm · Post by **jessicsm** » Thu Sep 16, 2004 1:00 pm

rodent wrote:well... there's no indication that the BMORG LLC is going to charge for use of the description "Decompression".

It's is forseeable that the LLC just wants the ability to limit the use of "decompression" as a label on (for example) a Budweiser Music Festival or the Philip Morris Post Playa Decompression Advertizing Clusterfuck.
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rodent (putting the eek in geek)

The problem is that under trademark law, in order to prevent dilution of the trademark, you have to prevent *everyone* from using your mark without a license. So 5 guys in minneapolis now need to get a special dispensation from the org (and yes, potentially pay a fee) to advertise the "decompression" party they are having at joe's house.

And, frankly, decompression isn't "Burningman". The BOrg shouldn't be branding the universe. If I want to make a decompression porn flic, why shouldn't I be able to?

Finally, if the Borg is getting a cut from the major metropolitan decoms, what the hell are they using it for? Large scale art was pretty thin on the playa this year (everyone seems to agree). Are we just funding the big boonsa-boonsa camps on 10 and 2? Great, then just call it a big rave in the desert and I'll stop going. . .

samtzu · Post by **samtzu** » Thu Sep 16, 2004 1:31 pm

Rather than going off, screaming about what might be done, why doesn't someone contact BMOrg and find out what is planned on being done, or what will be done?

Facts first, decision next.

theCryptofishist · Post by **theCryptofishist** » Thu Sep 16, 2004 4:42 pm

samtzu wrote: Facts first, decision next.

But that interferes with the sentence first, trial next, crime last system we grew up under.

rodent · Post by **rodent** » Thu Sep 16, 2004 4:56 pm

jessicsm wrote:Finally, if the Borg is getting a cut from the major metropolitan decoms, what the hell are they using it for? Large scale art was pretty thin on the playa this year (everyone seems to agree). Are we just funding the big boonsa-boonsa camps on 10 and 2? Great, then just call it a big rave in the desert and I'll stop going. . .

I'm sorry... had you posted evidence that the LLC has charged money for the use of "Decompression" for "major metropolitan decoms"? Otherwize, you're ranting and raving over speculation on what MIGHT happen. On top of that, you've just implied that the LLC is misapropriating funds based on an asumption of funds even being collected in the first place.

Come back with some evidence please.

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rodent (putting the eek in geek)

jessicsm · Post by **jessicsm** » Thu Sep 16, 2004 9:41 pm

rodent wrote:
I'm sorry... had you posted evidence that the LLC has charged money for the use of "Decompression" for "major metropolitan decoms"? Otherwize, you're ranting and raving over speculation on what MIGHT happen. On top of that, you've just implied that the LLC is misapropriating funds based on an asumption of funds even being collected in the first place.

Come back with some evidence please.

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rodent (putting the eek in geek)

Well, I was generally aware that last years LA decom raised money for the Black Rock Arts Foundation.

And, I have had conversation with Toronto burners who have said that the Borg was looking for a cut.

Sorry, it's late - I'll dig up the specifics.