"holy See Declares Unique Copyright On Papal Figure"

[Lounge Daddy]

[url="http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/holy_see_declares_unique_copyright_on_papal_figure"]According to this article[/url] at [i]Catholic News Agency[/i]:
[quote]
Due to this demand, the Vatican has felt it necessary to declare that "it alone has the right to ensure the respect due to the Successors of Peter, and therefore, to protect the figure and personal identity of the Pope from the unauthorized use of his name and/or the papal coat of arms for ends and activities which have little or nothing to do with the Catholic Church."

The declaration alludes to attempts to use ecclesiastical or pontifical symbols and logos to "attribute credibility and authority to initiatives" as another reason to establish their “copyright” on the Holy Father's name, picture and coat of arms.

"Consequently, the use of anything referring directly to the person or office of the Supreme Pontiff... and/or the use of the title 'Pontifical,' must receive previous and express authorization from the Holy See," concluded the message released to the press.[/quote]

The problem I have with laws like this, is they are typically unenforceable. I mean, seriously, if I want to do "referring directly to the person or office of the Supreme Pontiff... and/or the use of the title 'Pontifical,' must receive previous and express authorization from the Holy See." Are they kidding?

Or is this just one of those legal stipulations that they set aside, intending to pull it out and use it when someone is doing something way over the line?

In any case, I guess this seems a bit more civil than rolling cars over and lighting things on fire.

[Winchester]

All laws are essentially unenforceable.

[Sternhauser]

[quote name='Winchester' date='20 December 2009 - 08:17 PM' timestamp='1261358263' post='2023780']
All laws are essentially unenforceable.
[/quote]

That is inaccurate.

~Sternhauser

[Lounge Daddy]

I wonder who's idea that was? Who in the Vatican decided "we'll invoke copyright on the Papal image!" lol

[Lil Red]

[quote name='Lounge Daddy' date='20 December 2009 - 07:41 PM' timestamp='1261359700' post='2023793']
I wonder who's idea that was? Who in the Vatican decided "we'll invoke copyright on the Papal image!" lol
[/quote]
+J.M.J.+
the only thing i can think of is people being unscrupulous with it - with WYD or something like that? or putting the image on not umm, for lack of a better word "kosher" things?

[Winchester]

[quote name='Sternhauser' date='20 December 2009 - 08:38 PM' timestamp='1261359483' post='2023786']
That is inaccurate.

~Sternhauser
[/quote]
Okay.

[CatherineM]

This may be preemptive so they have some kind of recourse if Madonna wants to go onstage naked except for a papal crown.

[Mercy me]

I was wondering what exactly it is that prompted this.

[Vincent Vega]

[quote name='CatherineM' date='20 December 2009 - 10:17 PM' timestamp='1261365471' post='2023852']
This may be preemptive so they have some kind of recourse if Madonna wants to go onstage naked except for a papal crown.
[/quote]
Thanks for that image.
I mean, come on. Madonna could be my mom's older sister. Gross.

[Lounge Daddy]

I'm wondering if this is in anticipation for the slew of slanderous media that will come about as at least two popes make their way toward becoming canonized saints.

And that kind of thinking makes sense to me. But it still seems kinda silly to me, though. "Do you know who that is? The Pontiff's image is copyrighted material!"

[BG45]

I have a B16 and JP2 bobble head pair.

[Slappo]

[quote name='Lounge Daddy' date='20 December 2009 - 05:11 PM' timestamp='1261357881' post='2023777']
[url="http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/holy_see_declares_unique_copyright_on_papal_figure"]According to this article[/url] at [i]Catholic News Agency[/i]:

Or is this just one of those legal stipulations that they set aside, intending to pull it out and use it when someone is doing something way over the line?
[/quote]

that would be my guess

[Lounge Daddy]

[quote name='BG45' date='21 December 2009 - 02:37 PM' timestamp='1261424279' post='2024098']
I have a B16 and JP2 bobble head pair.
[/quote]

Are they approved by the Vatican? Could have a problem there...

[BG45]

[quote name='Lounge Daddy' date='21 December 2009 - 07:11 PM' timestamp='1261437075' post='2024167']
Are they approved by the Vatican? Could have a problem there...
[/quote]

I kinda doubt they were.

[Jaime]

Actually the Holy Father was thinking about cutting back on the sweets because he was concerned about his papal figure.


It didn't translate well from german to italian and this was the result.