Telford cake decorating event banned from using Olympic theme
Friday 16th September 2011, 7:50PM BST.
Cake decorators from across the world due in Telford next summer for the International Sugarcraft Exhibition have been banned from having an Olympic theme.
The British Sugarcraft Guild wanted to celebrate London 2012 by having a games theme for the event. But the International Olympic Committee banned them from copying any of its official symbols, including the five rings.
Organisers of the 7th International Sugarcraft Exhibition, at Telford International Centre in May, have been told they could face an injunction or substantial compensation if anyone ignores the copyright warning.
Jan Thorpe, chairman of the judges’ committee, said: “There is no commercial gain whatsoever from this.
“We were simply doing an Olympic display during the Olympic year in sugar.
“But we have been told only sponsors can use the official symbols.”
After months of careful planning, the guild must now find an alternative theme.
The British Sugarcraft Guild alerted its members to the news of the Olympics ban in its September newsletter.
The report said: “It has been brought to the attention of the National Committee that there might be a problem with the theme chosen for the Branch Projects as set out in our International Exhibition Sched- ule. Following through on this information the National Committee contacted the Olympic Committee seeking clarification.
“It was confirmed that there is a problem and unfortunately permission for the use of any or all these symbols was refused.
“They [branches] must not use the logo, the mascots or the traditional Olympic rings as any part of the display, which defeats the whole idea of the original topic.
“We very much regret that this situation has arisen.”
By Paul Mannion
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This is one of the reasons I have no interest in the Olympics. It is just a money making exercise and the sport is merely incidental. The London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games (LOCOG). They even had a special law passed – “Added protection is provided by the London Olympic Games and Paralympic Games Act 2006 (the ‘2006 Act’). This prevents the creation of an unauthorised association between people, goods or services and London 2012.” to maximise the amount of money they make from the games. Part of this law results in “For example, subject to certain defences and exceptions (see FAQ 9 below), it is unlawful to use the Olympic symbol, the London 2012 logo or the words ‘London 2012’ in the course of trade without LOCOG’s written consent ” (Quotes from http://www.london2012.com/about-us/our-brand/frequently-asked-questions.php).
I hope the British Sugarcraft Guild (whoes work is amazing) can come up with an alternative theme in time. Maybe they can do the 200th anniversary of the birth of Charles Dickens or 100th anniversary of the birth of Pierre Boulle who wrote ‘Planet of the Apes’. (Armies of sugar apes would be some thing worth seeing…)
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