Interesting. It made HBO look like jerks, but I guess it was Redbubble, although I went to their site and put in "Winter is coming" in the search bar and got hundreds of results.
In the past, HBO has warned Redbubble and others not to sell unauthorized products that use their copyrighted materials.
I wonder what exactly they have copyrighted.
Everything and anything that encompasses GOT, script, costumes, sets, etc., including phrases such as "Winter is Coming." It is a part of the script and it has become a GOT trademark phrase.
If HBO does not actively pursue those who infringe/violate the copyrighted materials of their shows, they risk sitting a legal precedent of not pursuing violations of their copyright. If HBO chooses to take any of those who violate their copyright to court, it makes their case weaker and much harder to win a monetary judgment against the violators. After all copyright is mostly about money, (loss of profit from sales of their product).
How do you know that all the others with the phrase "Winter is Coming” you searched on Redbubble, have not been contacted and sent the same cease and desist letter or have asked permission of HBO to use the phrase? (rhetorical question).
Interesting side note; It is the FBI that investigates if violaters ignore the cease and desist letters and the copyright holder chooses to file charges.
"If you believe that a criminal infringement of copyright has occurred, you may contact the Intellectual Property (IP) Program of the Financial Institution Fraud Unit of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Two main FBI divisions investigate intellectual property crimes:
1. Cyber Division
-investigates intellectual property crimes involving all digital and electronic works (including Internet, CDs, DVDs, etc) www.fbi.gov/ipr
2. Financial Institution Fraud Unit-all other intellectual property crimes" [/i]
If you want to know more about copyright infringement go to:
https://www.copyright.gov/help/faq/faq-infringement.htmlQuoted citation: "FAQ" https://www.copyright.gov/help/faq/faq-infringement.html