Let "Gaia" Be On T-Shirts

Feed

Image 1 of 5

Author: Treesong

Started: November 8, 2008, 10:30:36 pm

Target: P.I. Inc. and its subsidiary Gaia Paddlesports

Category: Civil & Human Rights

Supporters:

Goal:

100,000

Goal Progress:

Status

Active

"Gaia" is an ancient Greek goddess who personifies the Earth. Her name is used around the world for many cultural, spiritual, and political reasons. Sadly, our right to use this name on T-shirts is being challenged by a company called P.I. Inc.

P.I. Inc. holds a registered trademark on the use of the word "Gaia" for their Gaia Paddlesports T-shirts. They are using this trademark to harass people who use the word "Gaia" on completely unrelated T-shirts.

An author named Treesong tried to sell T-shirts online to promote his book, Gaia's Orphans. P.I. Inc tried to extort money from Treesong for using the word Gaia on these shirts. Then, they had the shirts removed from the Internet by threatening the supplier (CafePress) with legal action. Further investigation revealed that this is not the first or last time that agents of P.I. Inc have harassed independent artists for using the word "Gaia."

We, the undersigned, believe that authors and other creators have the right to use the word "Gaia" on T-shirts. P.I. Inc should only use their trademark to stop people from imitating their products, not to steal the name "Gaia" from the public domain.

We pledge to boycott all P.I. Inc. products, including the Gaia Paddlesports line, until the company issues a public apology and pledges to refrain from harassing independent creators in the future.

In addition to signing this petition, supporters are also encourage to contact P.I. Inc directly.

Website Contact Form:
http://www.pi-inc.com/

P.I. Inc's Copyright Attorney:
Theodore Schmitt
Copyright Infringment Agent
1712 Congress Parkway
Athens, TN 37303
423-745-6213 x 4226
tschmitt@pi-inc.com

Recent Activity

37 seconds ago Sindre Bakken SIGNED

We want EA (creators of Skate) to make a BMX game!

1 minute ago Guillermina Ruffini SIGNED

Twilight Convention In Argentina

1 minute ago Cella McLendon SIGNED

FREE GEORGE JUNG

1 minute ago saiisamsri popcornfor2 SIGNED

We Want 'You're Beautiful-Season 2'!!

1 minute ago Christine Powes SIGNED

Bravo TV should pick up the Real Women of Atlanta

Discussion Forum

There are no discussion topics, would you like to post one?

Signatures

Michael Miller said 09/13/09, 11:05 am (verified)

I support this petition.

#18

Scott Smith said 09/12/09, 10:28 pm (verified)

I support this petition.

#17

Scott Smith said 09/12/09, 10:28 pm (verified)

I support this petition.

#16

Evan Jacob said 09/12/09, 8:16 pm (verified)

I support this petition. Gaia cannot be owned.

#15

Crystal Thompson said 03/03/09, 10:19 am (verified)

I'm sure the word "Gaia" has been around long before that stupid company.

#14

Lori Glier said 01/17/09, 2:45 pm (verified)

I support this petition.

#13

Eric Stevens said 01/15/09, 7:32 am (verified)

I support this petition.

#12

Andrea Hahn said 01/07/09, 10:24 am (verified)

I support this petition. No one should be able to gain exclusive use of a name that significantly pre-dates even the concept of "trademark" and "copyright" and has a cultural significance and meaning that goes far beyond "paddlesports." The use of the name Gaia on materials and products unrelated to your client's products and materials will in no way detract from their use of this widely recognized, ancient name. In fact, it seems to me that wide-spread publicity about this could be a detriment for the company.

#11

Kandace Holbrook said 12/05/08, 8:58 am (verified)

I support this petition. It is freedom of speech/expression.

#10

Jason Inczauskis said 11/21/08, 2:35 am (verified)

I support this petition. One company cannot claim exclusive ownership of the name of an ancient deity. Gaia, in particular, is in heavy use today in a wide variety of areas. They do not own the name, so they have no right to complain or threaten when others use it.

Eleanore Stasheff said 11/18/08, 1:46 pm (verified)

I support this petition. Gaia is the name of an ancient goddess and the only people who have the right to copyright it are the people who created the name -- the ancient Greeks -- who have been dead for thousands of years. Clearly the name is in the public domain and should stay that way.

Matthew Gurley said 11/11/08, 12:47 am (verified)

I support this petition. It's like putting a trademark on the word God!

AJ Beck said 11/10/08, 8:58 pm (verified)

I support this petition and further want to know how hard it would be to copywrite God.

Robin Morrow said 11/10/08, 3:20 pm (verified)

I support this petition.

Chalres Hinton said 11/10/08, 4:29 am (verified)

This is a no brainer. It'd be like copy righting "Jesus."

Morgan Thomas said 11/09/08, 8:13 pm (verified)

I support this petition. Treesong is a good friend. This is completely ridiculous that these people think they can get away with taking a Goddessess' name from the public. It is in no way infringing on copyright as it is using the Greek name and not Paddlesports logo or name. Stop it!

Sarah Miller said 11/08/08, 11:13 pm (verified)

I support this petition, and its creator, Treesong, whose intentions are always just and sincere. To harass the author about the promotion of his book is truly disharmonious and unjust. The people of P.I. Inc could benefit from separating themselves from a business and dollar mindset and look at this discrepancy from a human point of view.

Treesong Treesong said 11/08/08, 10:26 pm (verified)

I created this petition, and I stand by every word of it. If you'd like more information, feel free to contact me.

View All Signatures