Gorbachev copyrights his own name

[emad]

From the UK's BBC News:

Mikhail Gorbachev has taken out copyright on his own name in a bid to stop his image being exploited. Henceforth "Gorbachev" and "Gorby" will be brand names, an aide to the former Soviet president revealed. Mr Gorbachev acted after a Russian vodka producer used his portrait on bottles, playing on the alcohol prohibition he oversaw in the 1980s.

Since his fall from power in 1991, "Gorby" has allowed his image to be used to sell pizzas and computers. But his aide, Vladimir Polyakov, stressed that proceeds from the Pizza Hut and Apple campaigns had gone into charities such as the Green Cross environmental group and the premises of the Gorbachev Foundation.

In future, Mr Polyakov told AFP news agency, Mr Gorbachev's name would only be used in relation to "honourable products" and legal action would be taken if it was abused.

Apart from the vodka case, he added, Mr Gorbachev's name or image has been used without authorisation to sell construction materials in the United States and noodles in Japan.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/3208389.stm

Mmmmm...wonder if Junior will turn into a vodka salesman when they finally kick him out....

[jonoboy]

1. to his credit

Mikhael Gorbachov also gives all the profits from his books to children's charities.

Can you blame him for protecting his image..it's a 20th century icon now.

[thebigidea]

2. then again, Hitler was used to sell heaters in Japan

Its true! I gotta dig up the art, but its hilarious.

[Dover]

3. I have a Gorby doll....from his big visit to the U.S. about 14 yrs ago.

Wonder if he got a piece of that?

If you're not familiar with his Green Cross organization, check it out. He is trying to set up a world governance body and preserve the environment/human rights.

http://www.greencrossinternational.net/index1.html