Making money by stealing other people’s intellectual property is much worse than just stealing their intellectual property for yourself. Making money by stealing someone’s material for second rate parody “Jesus Junk” is somewhere down the bottom. Here’s a story that made my stomach churn.
Trademark attorney Michael G. Atkins of Seattle said legal parodies of commercial trademarks are protected under the First Amendment, but such religious products generally don’t fall into that category.
“You could take Microsoft and change their logo around to make fun of Microsoft, and that would be legal,” he said. “But I can’t use the Microsoft logo to promote my Christian theme because there’s no real connection there. That’s illegal.”
Here’s what one of the creators and purveyors of Jesus Junk had to say for himself (as reported in the USA Today story)… Kerusso is the company responsible for producing a bunch of terrible shirts.
Kinnett views the commercial spoofs — which only make up 15% or so of Kerusso’s merchandise — as modern-day parables.
“If Jesus were here today would he make parody T-shirts? I doubt it,” Kinnett said. “But in his day, he did use parables. He used things that were common and recognized in everyday life to make a point or say something with a deeper meaning.”
* I still think Christian copyright holders should not “hold” their “rights” for the sake of the kingdom – but if they don’t then the end users have to respect that decision (and the law).
Nathan runs St Eutychus. He is currently a student at the Queensland Theological College. In a previous professional life he worked in public relations for an economic development and tourism marketing organisation. He is married to Robyn. He likes coffee and the internet.
Nathan has produced 3148 articles.
Check out my photos 
Or 
Watch my videos 
Here's my 
Follow me on 
Connect with me on
Be my friend on
Check out my 
nm(dot)campbell(at)
1simone r
wrote on 22 December 2009 at 22:35
I think christian clothing should be phased out altogether. Shirts etc advertising your particular church are fine, but where's the value in wearing 'god is my hero' on your chest? Think it would shut down a conversation before it even began.
Similarly, ornaments, trinkets, stationary, posters of kittens with balls of wool and inspirational verses…
2Nathan
wrote on 22 December 2009 at 22:59
I proudly own this one…
<img src="http://images9.cafepress.com/product/77598579v9_350×350_Front_Color-BlackWhite.jpg"/>
I just can't find anywhere appropriate to wear it…
http://www.cafepress.com/larknews.77598579
3Andrew
wrote on 24 December 2009 at 20:41
I double dare you to wear it on your first prac. preaching assignment (or something similar).
4Leah
wrote on 26 December 2009 at 3:49
I don't really understand the problem here.
"“But I can’t use the Microsoft logo to promote my Christian theme because there’s no real connection there. That’s illegal.”"
Since when? Weird Al parodies heaps of songs, and the parodies often have nothing to do with the original thing. In fact, I'd say most parodies you see/hear around the place have no connection with the original item… except the fact it's being parodied.
5Leah
wrote on 26 December 2009 at 3:51
Why is it ok to advertise your specific church (which is arguably less important than the fact you're a Christian) and not the fact you're a Christian?
6Andrew
wrote on 26 December 2009 at 9:25
It would be interesting to know whether Wierd Al has to pay royalties..
7queenstuss
wrote on 27 December 2009 at 4:22
I used to wear shirts with Christian messages on, until one day I was wearing one at uni that said 'The Truth will set you free' on the back, and I heard someone say to someone else 'no it won't, it might get you locked up'.
I stopped wearing them to uni after that, and stopped buying them altogether. Except for one, that says 'You will know they are Christians by their t-shirts'. And i'll only wear that when I know there are only other Christians around.