Get Up! forced to take down ‘Protect our ABC’ billboards after copyright dispute with ABC
Public broadcaster the ABC has forced activist group Get Up! supporting the broadcaster to withdraw an outdoor advertising campaign targeting Prime Minister Tony Abbott and Communications minister Malcolm Turnbull due to a breach of copyright.
In January, Get Up! launched a publicly funded campaign with 12,500 people donating money for billboards on Bayswater Road, one of the main commuter links in the Turnbull’s electorate of Wentworth, and Military Road in Abbott’s electorate of Warringah.
However, after erecting the billboards the activist group was sent a legal letter by the ABC’s legal and business affairs unit which complains about the use of the the Bananas in Pyjamas and the ABC “Wave” logo.
“It is our understanding that various works incorporating images of the Bananas in Pyjamas and the ABC “Wave” logo have been made available on the GetUp! website, on social media, in leaflets andbumper stickers, and most prominently on billboards on New South Head Road, Rushcutters Bay, and also on Military Road, Mosman (the Works),” writes Grant McAvaney, senior lawyer ABC Legal & Business Affairs.
Well played by the abc, they could have got a court order to take it down immediately if they were so inclined. This way they can distance themselves from the campaign while tacitly supporting it.
Get Up are an embarrassing bunch of morons.
Reasonable approach by both sides. One thing that is undeniable is the incredible public support for the ABC, no matter how hard News Corp tries to undermine it (and boy do they try!).
Both getup & the abc are wings of the alp. there is overwhelming support for privatisation. only fools like the above commentators believe otherwise.
Sure the ABC wants the billboards taken down, but what are B1 and B2 thinking?
@Asif.
As if.
ALP spin machine – that just stands for anything anti government, Wish Get Up would get up and go away. Shorten must phone them whenever he needs propaganda.
Dearie me Newtown. The number of anti-Gillard/Labor petitions that GetUp circulated regarding asylum seeker policy showed that they go after anyone and everyone. But please don’t let the facts get in the way of your prejudice.
Get Up! Get get down, copyright’s a joke in yo’ town (with apologies/possible copyright breaches to Public Enemy).