* McAuliffe gets some free publicity…
Chicago’s only Illinois House Republican is taking advantage of a historic World Series run — printing out a “W” poster in campaign mail ads that when placed on a window show the grinning faces of Michael McAuliffe and his family decked out in Cubs gear.
The Cubs last year filed applications with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office to expand its trademark of the “W” sign — which flies above Wrigley Field after victories and is a staple at Cubs fans’ homes.
McAuliffe’s campaign said the political mailer isn’t selling a product, and isn’t causing confusion in the marketplace, which would mean a trademark infringement. […]
Also of note, a misspelling of legendary broadcaster Harry Caray’s name: “History is in the making, and so for Ron Santo, Ernie Banks, Jack Brickhouse, Harry Carey, and all the other Cub players and announcers who never got to drink from the sweet cup of victory . . . let’s go Cubs!”
* Meanwhile, from a press release…
The Village of Rosemont today charged the political campaign of Merry Marwig with releasing deliberately false and misleading information that infringes on the village’s trademarked “Rose” and intentionally and deceptively implies that a political advertisement is from Mayor Brad Stephens. In a letter to Marwig, Rosemont attorneys called for her campaign to cease and desist the use of the village’s iconic trademarked “Rose” and demanded that Marwig renounce a political mailer sent to village residents which falsely and deceptively implies that Mayor Brad Stephens is endorsing Marwig for political office.
Mayor Stephens said Marwig’s campaign had devolved from political chicanery to outright illegality by using Rosemont’s trademark on a political letter that bears Rosemont’s seal and then signing it with the initial “B’, deceptively implying that Mayor Stephens had authored it. In the handwritten note, Marwig is endorsed for state representative. While trademarks are often borrowed for clever non-harmful reasons, Marwig’s campaign has engaged in outright deception.
“This is political dirty trickery at its worst and I am sickened that Merry Marwig, a candidate for state representative would condone it,” Mayor Stephens said. “We are today demanding that Marwig repudiate this false and deceptive ad and that she identify all persons involved in its production or dissemination so appropriate legal action can be taken.”
Rosemont said it would take whatever actions were lawful and appropriate to protect its rights including filing a complaint with the Illinois State Board of Elections. The Village also indicated it would ask the U.S. Attorney and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service to investigate the matter for possible mail fraud and other illegalities.
The flier is here.
I doubt they have a federal case, but messing with Rosemont is never advisable.
*** UPDATE *** From Merry Marwig…
“I have spoken with and received great support from Rosemont residents, but I don’t know who sent this letter.
“Earlier this year, Michael McAuliffe admitted to calling me a ‘girl’ when talking about me to voters. He looks down on women, has a shameful record on women’s issues and has now convinced Mayor Bradley Stephens to join him in his crusade to keep women from holding elected office.
“Voters are outraged. They’re outraged by Michael McAuliffe’s shameful record on women’s issues, and they’re outraged that Mayor Stephens is in line to receive a $260,000 taxpayer-funded salary when most other mayors in the suburbs receive a fraction of that obscene amount, while his family members are appointed to six-figure patronage jobs.”
Ouch.
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Nov 1, 16 @ 10:35 am:
Holy Cow!
Misspelling Harry Caray’s name.
Yikes.
- Ron Burgundy - Tuesday, Nov 1, 16 @ 10:40 am:
I would hope the USPTO wouldn’t give the Cubs too much expansion of their rights for the flag into non-sports contexts. It’s a white sheet with a letter on it for cripe’s sake.
- SAP - Tuesday, Nov 1, 16 @ 10:43 am:
I think the “W” in McAuliffe’s ad is just an upside-down “M” for McAuliffe.
- Amalia - Tuesday, Nov 1, 16 @ 10:44 am:
“…..messing with Rosemont is never advisable.” yup
- Ricky Vaughn - Tuesday, Nov 1, 16 @ 10:51 am:
I don’t get the Rosemont piece. That looks like a handwritten note on Rosemont stationary confiding in a vote for Marwig. Did the campaign choose to circulate that as a mailer?
- Responsa - Tuesday, Nov 1, 16 @ 10:58 am:
I know the FBI is kind of busy right now but that note on letterhead looks like a handwriting analysis is in order to see whose writing it is.
- Michael Westen - Tuesday, Nov 1, 16 @ 11:15 am:
“Handwriting analysis” For what purpose. Candidates have been claiming phony endorsements since the beginning of time. It isn’t a crime. And, what exactly does the “B” mean? It certainly isn’t a forged signature. This is a non-story on the legal front. A big story however, as far as firing up the Rosemont crowd. On that, I agree with Rich.
- Amalia - Tuesday, Nov 1, 16 @ 11:15 am:
In a village of 4 thousand some, everyone whose name starts with a B is on a list I could scan in a short time. have fun, lawyers.
- Responsa - Tuesday, Nov 1, 16 @ 11:39 am:
Rich– you really should be getting more props for your tongue in cheek “Rosemont/whacked” line.
Michael Westen–lighten up, Francis. Do you know what “:)” is?
Amalia–that’s a woman’s handwriting. I’d bet on it.
- A guy - Tuesday, Nov 1, 16 @ 11:45 am:
If you didn’t point it out, few would notice. If they did, they wouldn’t care.
The messing with Rosemont will be a gift that keeps giving. Not advisable.
It’s all just noise now, but the Cub association is probably a bit helpful. People are Cub Krazy here. Harry Karry too. (lol)
- Porgy Tirebiter - Tuesday, Nov 1, 16 @ 12:19 pm:
The kid running Rosemont is nothing like the Dad that Ran Rosemont. Rosemont just four thousand people and that’s all it is.
- Fact Checker - Tuesday, Nov 1, 16 @ 12:25 pm:
Harry Carey didn’t drink from a WS victory cup but Harry Caray did. As a Cardinals announcer!
- Amalia - Tuesday, Nov 1, 16 @ 12:29 pm:
Caray would probably have misspelled his own name too, considering all that Falstaff! hoisting a virtual one to his memory, in the center field bleachers, with the showers…..
- A guy - Tuesday, Nov 1, 16 @ 12:31 pm:
==The kid running Rosemont is nothing like the Dad that Ran Rosemont. Rosemont just four thousand people and that’s all it is.==
Porgy, respectfully and politely….you’re dead wrong. Give my regards to Bess.
- Just Observing - Tuesday, Nov 1, 16 @ 12:41 pm:
Rosemont has no legal case.
- ya never know - Tuesday, Nov 1, 16 @ 1:14 pm:
How do they know this “letter” was produced by the Marwig campaign? It doesn’t include the paid for tag and Madigan campaigns are traditionally sticklers for those kinds of rules.
I’m not sure why the Village had to issue a press release about this letter. Isn’t that using village resources for political purposes? Oh wait you can do that in Rosemont.
- Ron Burgundy - Tuesday, Nov 1, 16 @ 1:52 pm:
–I’m not sure why the Village had to issue a press release about this letter. Isn’t that using village resources for political purposes?–
I doubt alerting the public about the misuse of their civic logo and the implication of a falsified endorsement by their Mayor falls into that category.
- wordslinger - Tuesday, Nov 1, 16 @ 1:58 pm:
–If you didn’t point it out, few would notice. If they did, they wouldn’t care. –
The Cubs might care. That’s why they’ve filed for trademark protection. I imagine they might have a beef about using their private property, Wrigley, for a political mailer without permission, too.
Businesses have a right to protect themselves from politicians appropriating their brand equity — without any compensation, to boot.
That’s called stealing. It’s a bad thing. That’s why Rosemont is taking action against Marwig.
- SAP - Tuesday, Nov 1, 16 @ 2:03 pm:
I think McAuliffe was talking about this guy: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harry_Carey_Jr.
- Northsider - Tuesday, Nov 1, 16 @ 2:04 pm:
Hyperbole much, Rosemont? I sure hope you have a fainting couch handy for Little Stephens.
- A guy - Tuesday, Nov 1, 16 @ 2:11 pm:
Sling, keep an eye on this one for the next 3 weeks and watch the air slowly seep out of the balloon. A picture of the stadium is public domain at this point. It’s been photographed regularly by many sources.
I think the Cubs would be much more protective of their most precious logo, as would MLB. This one….the publicity is worth a filing fee and an hour or two of attorney time. They’ve made their point to others.
They don’t hate seeing that W everywhere. Big Thunder, no lightening.
- A guy - Tuesday, Nov 1, 16 @ 2:11 pm:
What people didn’t know about or care much: was the spelling of Harry Caray’s name.
Sincere apologies for not being more clear.
- Porgy Tirebiter - Tuesday, Nov 1, 16 @ 2:16 pm:
A Guy- what will they do. Drive slowly & poorly in the wrong lane with a turn blinker on? They do that already.
- Anon - Tuesday, Nov 1, 16 @ 2:18 pm:
“but messing with Rosemont is never advisable.”
It’s like they’re one big happy family.
- wordslinger - Tuesday, Nov 1, 16 @ 2:27 pm:
–A picture of the stadium is public domain at this point–
LOL, since when? Why doesn’t every business on the North Side advertise using images of the ballpark then?
The Cubs have a trademark on Wrigley Field. You can’t just advertise and promote yourself using an image of the ballpark. You must get permission and pay for that privilege.
- A guy - Tuesday, Nov 1, 16 @ 2:58 pm:
Merry M, that it an incredibly weak response. Even pitiful.
- Ron Burgundy - Tuesday, Nov 1, 16 @ 4:30 pm:
To the response — change the subject much? I think things just escalated.
- Ron Burgundy - Tuesday, Nov 1, 16 @ 4:39 pm:
Further, should have just left it at the first paragraph. For better or worse, Ms. Marwig doesn’t seem to know who seems to like the governmental situation in Rosemont. The answer is most of the people who live and vote in Rosemont.
- Precinct Captain - Tuesday, Nov 1, 16 @ 4:51 pm:
Next time she’ll make sure to go to your PR academy A guy.
- wordslinger - Tuesday, Nov 1, 16 @ 4:59 pm:
–Ms. Marwig doesn’t seem to know who seems to like the governmental situation in Rosemont. The answer is most of the people who live and vote in Rosemont.–
People in Rosemont are allowed to vote? Just for a Stephens, though, right?
- hisgirlfriday - Tuesday, Nov 1, 16 @ 5:08 pm:
A guy - Nonsense that people don’t know/care about the spelling of Harry Caray’s name.
You spell that name wrong at the same time you try to invoke his name as a big time Cubs fan then you just look like a phony panderer.