There are Obama plates and Obama coins and probably Obama other things. How exactly does this work? Does Obama have to approve them? Or as a public figure is his likeness fair game? These private commercial businesses are probably raking in the cash. Does any of that go to Obama?
Public figures are nearly always fair game, unless they have some commercial value. The Elvis estate, for example, is very protective of their rights to the name and likeness. Obama doesn’t make money off his name, and as long as the Franklin Mint isn’t printing his likeness along with “Lynch Him” or some such printing on it, they can make money from it. They don’t have to share, as far as I’m aware.
I think that this came up with the Spiro Agnew watches of the 70s, and, IIRC, the court ruled that if there was any money to be made, they would have to pay, or Agnew could skewer the whole deal if he wanted.
IIRC.
greatshakes
Hell, they can even spell his name wrong! :rolleyes:
http://gifts.cafepress.com/item/property-of-barak-teddy-bear/86753150
Mind-bogglingly enough, this wasn’t even the bear I had in mind when I was looking. So, there are at least 2 bad bears out there!
Are ANY of these commemorative things ever worth anything? Seems like painting Obama’s image on a set of coins, then selling them over TV pretty much guarantees that they will be worthless over time.
Not just “over time;” they are already worthless.
To be seen on an upcoming Threat Down…