DiscussWorldIssues - Socio-Economic Religion and Political Uncensored Debate - View Single Post - Best and Worst Moments of the London Games

**nemoforone** · 08-16-2012, 08:20 AM

Are the civil courts and the laws of England on the side of the IOC in this? If a local pub had held an Olympics party, and the IOC said "you must pay us a thousand dollar fine," and the pub owner said," I don't think so" -- what would happen next?

The court would be likely on the side of the IOC, because Great Britain passed a special law just for this in 2006 called the London Olympic Games and Paralympic Games Act that codifies into law the IOC demands on regulating advertising. The act specifically bans non-sponsors from using phrases that combine words like London, 2012, gold, silver, etc. It even gives British police power to enter any premise to investigate claims of unauthorized advertising and to destroy any such material found!

What would have happened if the journalist whose umbrella was seized would have hit the seizers over the head with it, citing "stand your ground?"

I'm sure those officials are empowered by law to seize/censor any brand/logo in violation. And if they aren't, it wouldn't be hard for them to summon law enforcement who are.

(At least you could have an Olympics party at your own house, right? "An Englishman's home is his castle, sir -- while there's Law in England!")

Probably. But the law specifically says it's not just advertising that's covered, but any promotional material. So to stay on the safe side, Londoners would've been better off not passing out any flyers in public or putting up notices about an Olympic watching party in their homes.

08-16-2012, 08:20 AM	#19
nemoforone Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 401 Senior Member	Are the civil courts and the laws of England on the side of the IOC in this? If a local pub had held an Olympics party, and the IOC said "you must pay us a thousand dollar fine," and the pub owner said," I don't think so" -- what would happen next? The court would be likely on the side of the IOC, because Great Britain passed a special law just for this in 2006 called the London Olympic Games and Paralympic Games Act that codifies into law the IOC demands on regulating advertising. The act specifically bans non-sponsors from using phrases that combine words like London, 2012, gold, silver, etc. It even gives British police power to enter any premise to investigate claims of unauthorized advertising and to destroy any such material found! What would have happened if the journalist whose umbrella was seized would have hit the seizers over the head with it, citing "stand your ground?" I'm sure those officials are empowered by law to seize/censor any brand/logo in violation. And if they aren't, it wouldn't be hard for them to summon law enforcement who are. (At least you could have an Olympics party at your own house, right? "An Englishman's home is his castle, sir -- while there's Law in England!") Probably. But the law specifically says it's not just advertising that's covered, but any promotional material. So to stay on the safe side, Londoners would've been better off not passing out any flyers in public or putting up notices about an Olympic watching party in their homes.
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