I’m here in Kona to compete in the upcoming race, and I just got a very frustrating phone call. It appears that the WTC legal team is out walking Ali’i Drive and the local area threatening legal action against the local tattoo studios who provide M-dot logo tattoos. I’m not kidding.
Like many, triathlon is not only what I do, but a part of my lifestyle. In thinking about how I wanted to commemorate the race, I decided to talk with a local artist about a tattoo that would incorporate tribal elements into an m-dot logo. The artist was into it, and I placed a deposit on a design. Then, today, I got a call from the artist informing me that their studio got ‘secret-shopped’ by someone from WTC or their legal representatives, and a letter was delivered to the studio informing them that they would face legal action if they drew any tattoos that used the registered trademark of the WTC.
I’m completely baffled by this action, and it seems negative in every respect. I’m pissed because I can’t get the tattoo I want from an artist I trust, the artist is not going to get my money, and many of the local studios will also see a measurable economic loss if they choose to adhere to the ban. This action seems to strengthen the divide between WTC the corporation, and their ‘customers’, the athletes.
What point does this serve, and what interest does this protect? Does WTC plan to have ‘sponsored’ tattoo parlors? Does WTC not want people to promote their brand through body art? Would Rev3 and Challenge make the same decision?
To be clear, I AM getting the tattoo. Perhaps not from this artist as I don’t want them to accept more risk than they are willing to accept, but I’ll find someone who will. And when I do, I’m going to take a picture of it and send it to Andrew Messick.
So what you’re telling us this that despite the fact that you think WTC is a shitty company, you want walk around with their logo on you for the rest of your life.
I get that the m-dot represents a lot of things to different people. Not limited to self sacrifice and lifestyle. And a lot of people don’t consider that the WTC owns that.
I have seen numerous folks with Betty Boop Tatoos. No idea why, but they probably have their reasons. I doubt any of them know who Max Fleischer is. http://iplaw.hllaw.com/...infringement-claims/
You should be thanking WTC for protecting you from a dumb tattoo that you’ll probably want to have removed expensively later … hopefully your pirate alternative shop won’t give you hep C.
Seems to me that WTC is trying to prevent another party from making a profit by using it’s trademark. Fair enough.
But what if this artist “gave” you the tattoo as a congratulations present for the race and, while leaving the shop, you “purchased” a product or accessory that his shop sells, even though that product costs about as much as a shiny new tattoo would? Seems to me it’d be a gift tattoo and the money would just be a ridiculous markup on moisturizer. WTC couldn’t exactly disgorge profits from a gift, now could they?
This is bs. I mean I don’t think they are doing this. You’re full of bs. And not many people get tattoos in kona. That’s more other races with newbies and box checkers. So don’t worry about the local shops. If what you’re saying is true. Which I dont think it is.
well it is a corporate trademarked logo so i get why they would do that. i think we can agree they are all about the bottom line and making money, that’s fine too. i used to think the M-Dot was a silly tattoo because its kind of generic and you are not getting paid to support them. to me its like getting a pepsi tattoo or something. that being said, i think anyone who completes an IM can put whatever they want on their body.
why not just have the artist make his own design, tell him what you want and have him incorporate swin, cycle, run, kona, etc… in the design.
Something tells me that with the biggest production of the year on the line in <48 hours that WTC has better things to do than chase down local tattoo artists who are making a couple of bucks off of their logo.
You should be thanking WTC for protecting you from a dumb tattoo that you’ll probably want to have removed expensively later … hopefully your pirate alternative shop won’t give you hep C.
So what you’re telling us this that despite the fact that you think WTC is a shitty company, you want walk around with their logo on you for the rest of your life.
Well said.
I get that the m-dot represents a lot of things to different people. Not limited to self sacrifice and lifestyle. And a lot of people don’t consider that the WTC owns that.
Huh.
“self-sac·ri·fice (slfskr-fs) n.
Sacrifice of one’s personal interests or well-being for the sake of others or for a cause.”
Can you tell me how that fits what you just said? Either that or give me your completely different definition of self sacrifice.
Seems to me that WTC is trying to prevent another party from making a profit by using it’s trademark. Fair enough.
But what if this artist “gave” you the tattoo as a congratulations present for the race and, while leaving the shop, you “purchased” a product or accessory that his shop sells, even though that product costs about as much as a shiny new tattoo would? Seems to me it’d be a gift tattoo and the money would just be a ridiculous markup on moisturizer. WTC couldn’t exactly disgorge profits from a gift, now could they?
Not exactly an exact comparison, but I used to have a neighbor who made his living selling very expensive #2 pencils. His customers were so valuable to him that he used to give them free very desirable tickets to sporting events, concerts & Broadway shows just for doing business with him. He was definitely a great pencil salesman and definitely not a ticket scalper…
Seems to me that WTC is trying to prevent another party from making a profit by using it’s trademark. Fair enough.
But what if this artist “gave” you the tattoo as a congratulations present for the race and, while leaving the shop, you “purchased” a product or accessory that his shop sells, even though that product costs about as much as a shiny new tattoo would? Seems to me it’d be a gift tattoo and the money would just be a ridiculous markup on moisturizer. WTC couldn’t exactly disgorge profits from a gift, now could they?
Not exactly an exact comparison, but I used to have a neighbor who made his living selling very expensive #2 pencils. His customers were so valuable to him that he used to give them free very desirable tickets to sporting events, concerts & Broadway shows just for doing business with him. He was definitely a great pencil salesman and definitely not a ticket scalper…
I get that the m-dot represents a lot of things to different people. Not limited to self sacrifice and lifestyle. And a lot of people don’t consider that the WTC owns that.
Huh.
“self-sac·ri·fice (slfskr-fs) n.
Sacrifice of one’s personal interests or well-being for the sake of others or for a cause.”
Can you tell me how that fits what you just said? Either that or give me your completely different definition of self sacrifice.
-Physiojoe
I was gonna say. It’s more like signing your loved ones up to sacrifice THEIR personal interests or well-being (or just time/money/patience) for YOUR personal gratification.
I get that the m-dot represents a lot of things to different people. Not limited to self sacrifice and lifestyle. And a lot of people don’t consider that the WTC owns that.
Huh.
“self-sac·ri·fice (slfskr-fs) n.
Sacrifice of one’s personal interests or well-being for the sake of others or for a cause.”
Can you tell me how that fits what you just said? Either that or give me your completely different definition of self sacrifice.
-Physiojoe
Who said anything about the interests of others? Sacrifice is the offering of food, objects or the lives of animals or people to the gods
Or in modern times mariages, jobs, etc…
I get that the m-dot represents a lot of things to different people. Not limited to self sacrifice and lifestyle. And a lot of people don’t consider that the WTC owns that.
Huh.
“self-sac·ri·fice (slfskr-fs) n.
Sacrifice of one’s personal interests or well-being for the sake of others or for a cause.”
Can you tell me how that fits what you just said? Either that or give me your completely different definition of self sacrifice.
-Physiojoe
Who said anything about the interests of others? Sacrifice is the offering of food, objects or the lives of animals or people to the gods
Or in modern times mariages, jobs, etc…
Evidently you are both reading and memory impaired. YOU said self sacrifice in your post, which he also quoted back at you. I think that makes it triple fail on your part.
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