McGill Improv Versus The Man
The McGill Improv listserv got an email today from the International Theatresports (TM) Institute, claiming that we were using their brand without a license. Below the split is the original message, and the reply I wrote (with names removed lest they actually find some grounds to sue us).My favourite part is how completely wrong he gets our name.
From: International Theatresports Institute
Date: July 5, 2006 6:54:51 PM EDT (CA)
To: mcgill_improv@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Theatresports (TM)
Hi McGuill Improv Players,
My name is Xxxxxx Xxxxxx and I am part of the International Theatresports (TM) Institute.
We have received notice that the McGuill Improv Players has been using Theatresports (TM).
Theatresports (TM) is the intellectual property of Keith Johnstone and the International Theatresports (TM) Institute is the sole licensor of Theatresports (TM). I looked in our files and we have no record of the McGuill Improv holding a license to perform Theatresports (TM).
If you wish to continue using Theatresports (TM), you need to hold a license.
Please contact me so we can either confirm that you will no longer perform or use Theatresports (TM) or so we can begin the application process for McGuill to hold a license to perform Theatresports (TM).
Best wishes,
Xxxxxx
--
Xxxxxx Xxxxxx
Administrative Assistant
International Theatresports Institute
P.O. Box 82084
Calgary, AB T3C 3W5 CANADA
www.theatresports.org
Dear Mr Xxxxxx,
My name is Andrew Ladd, and I'm the departing president of McGill Improv. I've forwarded a copy of this correspondence to the incoming presidents should you wish to pursue this matter further.
I have been with McGill Improv for three years, and during that time I am not aware of the group using the Theatresports (TM) brand, claiming affiliation with or endorsement by the International Theatresports (TM) Institute, or even having any desire to perform Theatresports (TM). Keith Johnstone's intellectual property does not interest us except insofar as several of our members pay for and read his books on a regular basis.
Occasionally, McGill Improv will perform a show that features two teams competing against each other-- however, these shows do not otherwise follow the rules, guidelines, or format of Theatresports (TM), and in any case we have never claimed that they do so in any of our promotional materials, in our internal communications, or even in our wildest dreams. If you mean to suggest that merely performing a show that features two teams is enough to necessitate a Theatresports (TM) license, you have a concept of intellectual property rights so egregiously rigid you would probably be better suited to a career in the music industry.
In conclusion, I do not know how or from whom you have "received notice" that we are using Theatresports (TM), but we are not, nor do we intend to, so a license will not be necessary. Thank you for taking the time to try and squeeze money out of a student-run organisation that rarely charges admission to its shows, and donates what little profit it makes to charity.
Best wishes,
Andrew Ladd
| Posted by goodladd on July 6, 2006 with category tags of improv montreal |
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Written by goodladd
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