The Guardian is a deeply unpleasant rag filled to the brim with modern fascists. It would appear that it has learned nothing from the Benjamin v Hughes case. Yes, I know that was fought in the USA, but copyright principles apply in pretty much the same way here.
Guardianmeme.com allows users to create parody Guardian headlines, complete with author names and po-faced headshots. Guardian News and Media claims this is an infringement of copyright and has issued a take-down notice through solicitors Bristows LLP to the website’s web-hosting provider.
Rather than going after its critics in this way, the Guardian would do well to reflect on why it inspires so much mockery. Indeed, it has become increasingly difficult to distinguish between joke Guardian headlines and the real deal as the paper has become increasingly woke, bourgeois and un-self-aware.
It is unfortunate that the person who created the meme doesn’t feel well enough to fight. Because I would have put my hand in my pocket for any crowdfunding to fight these evil bastards. Had it got to court, likely as not, it would have been thrown out as it is clearly parody and transformative, so classic fair use.
The other thing that should happen is the Streisand effect, however, people would need access to the source code.
The Guardian, the inheritors of Moseley’s tattered reputation – or perhaps more accurately, Roderick Spode, given their puffed-up sense of self-importance and desire for relevance. What a nasty bunch of scumbags they are. But we knew that already. Does anyone actually take these shitheads seriously? Anyone?
There was a spike in Guardian sales in late March / early April, but that was a temporary phenomenon whilst supplies of Andrex were unavailable…
Janszoon,
I will admit being one of those who hurriedly bought a copy of the rag when the toilet roll shelves, in my local Aldi, were empty. A waste of money, as I soon found out. It contained so much shit, it wouldn’t absorb any more.
Outside of the BBC and a few North London postcodes nobody reads The Guardian.
I don’t know why it is necessary to create a website to mock the Guardian when… well you can always just read The Guardian and have a right old laugh. Monbiot has written a particularly hilarious piece today so pompous it appears to have been penned from 5″ up his own arsehole
“Guardian launches campaign to stop Guardian readers taking over Brixton”.
c. Daily Mash about 5 years ago.
I don’t know why they don’t just wait until the parody creator gives up because the real thing is the parody. It surely can’t be long now…
The creator is terminally ill, so I understand. But that’s the Groan for you, go after a sick man who hasn’t the strength for a fight that he would win in court. Not only are they utterly vile, they are cowards, too.
It is interesting the type of people and organisations that are incapable of dealing with humour and mockery. Religious types are known for being particularly po faced, political fanatics are seemingly running them a close second. That ridiculous woman that you covered a few weeks back claimed to be a comedian. Instead of coming back at the guy who mocked her she takes him to court. Now we find that the Guardian can’t bear people taking the piss either.