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Nike rips off iconic Minor Thread album cover

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Nike rips off iconic Minor Thread album cover

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Old 06-24-05 | 09:08 AM
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Nike rips off iconic Minor Thread album cover

From http://pitchforkmedia.com/news/05-06/23.shtml



Considering the specific source, this is pretty damn pathetic and annoying.
Old 06-24-05 | 09:09 AM
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I'm guessing they got permission.
Old 06-24-05 | 09:17 AM
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Originally Posted by Groucho
I'm guessing they got permission.
Ian McKaye would never give permission for this.

From the link:
But Nike is smart enough to know better, right? They must have asked permission. We spoke to a representative from Dischord Records, Minor Threat's label, if Nike had asked to borrow these images. They said the following: "No, they stole it and we're not happy about it. Nike is a giant corporation which is attempting to manipulate the alternative skate culture to create an even wider demand for their already ubiquitous brand. Nike represents just about the antithesis of what Dischord stands for and it makes me sick to my stomach to think they are using this explicit imagery to fool kids into thinking that the general ethos of this label, and Minor Threat in particular, can somehow be linked to Nike's mission. It's disgusting."
Old 06-24-05 | 09:18 AM
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Originally Posted by Groucho
I'm guessing they got permission.
they didn't. at the bottom of the article it says that Dischord is pissed and haven't decided what action they will take
Old 06-24-05 | 09:47 AM
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I just came up with Fugazi's next album cover:

Old 06-24-05 | 09:54 AM
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Wow, it will be interesting to see how this pans out. You know Ian is probably like "lawsuit, JUST DO IT!"


Shame on Nike.
Old 06-24-05 | 10:42 AM
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Wow, you rarely see such a blatant attempt of this. My guess is some Minor Threat fan is also an employee at this particular advertising firm and didn't think enough people would notice this.

I admit I have never heard them, what kind of music do they play?
Old 06-24-05 | 11:02 AM
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I don't think Dischord would win a legal battle here, as they could argue it's a 'parody', which is legal. While it's a blatant copy, I don't agree that they were trying to slip it under people's noses unnoticed as their own work. If anything, I think they intended their "homage" to be noticed by punk people and skaters. I imagine Nike figured they'd say "Hey look, Nike knows Minor Threat! Nike's pretty cool after all!" Which shows they also have no clue, but hey.
Old 06-24-05 | 11:20 AM
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Originally Posted by freudguy
I admit I have never heard them, what kind of music do they play?
I'm not an expert (although I have the record in question and some Fugazi) but Minor Threat was a straight-edge hardcore band who sang bout personal liberty and anti-capitalist stuff, as well as some pretty honest lyrics about personal responsibility. Progressive stuff. Ian McKaye, the lead singer is now the singer in Fugazi. Both bands are on Discord (which may be owned by McKay?), a label that demands it's albums be sold for no more than $10. In fact, when I bought Minor Threat some 15 years ago the store had it priced at $14.99 or something. I pointed out that the back of the packaging stated "This album must be sold for $10" or something like that and they sheepishly reduced the price.
Old 06-24-05 | 11:21 AM
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I just don't Nike would release something like this without it going through their own legal department... The ad is obviously a ripoff of the album, but someone in Nike must've said "hey.. let check to make sure this ok" maybe they did and found out there was no reason to contact Dischord Records
Old 06-24-05 | 11:32 AM
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I dunno, ask this guy.
Old 06-24-05 | 12:37 PM
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I've listened to the complete MT cd a thousand times. great songs on there.
Nike must figure it falls under the 'parody' thing; or else they dont think Dischord will sue them.
Old 06-24-05 | 12:46 PM
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That's really fucking weak. That album= my High School soundtrack...
Old 06-24-05 | 01:38 PM
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No way in hell Ian would authorize or agree to that... Neither would the photographer of that photo. That's fucking bullshit. Ian should sue the fuck outta Nike and then he'd probably give the money to a homeless shelter. I knew there was a reason I never bought anything nike made.
Old 06-24-05 | 04:36 PM
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They need to get sued for that. It shouldn't be protected as a parody, unless they think their shoes are a joke.
Old 06-24-05 | 05:54 PM
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Originally Posted by j123vt_99
I just don't Nike would release something like this without it going through their own legal department... The ad is obviously a ripoff of the album, but someone in Nike must've said "hey.. let check to make sure this ok" maybe they did and found out there was no reason to contact Dischord Records
Seems to make sense, after all we CAN trust a company that hires child labor to comply with intellectual property laws. Right?
Old 06-24-05 | 05:56 PM
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From Dischord's website
6.24.05

Many people have now noticed that Nike has appropriated the Minor Threat artwork and logo for a new skateboard demo / ad campaign. To set the record straight -- Nike never contacted Dischord to obtain permission to use this imagery, nor was any permission granted. Simply put, Nike stole it and we're not happy about it. We are not yet sure what options, if any, we have to stop Nike from using our images to sell their shoes, but if you would like to direct your complaints to Nike that would be a good place to start.

You can email Nike at:
http://swoosh.custhelp.com/cgi-bin/s...nduser/ask.php

Or give them a call:
Nike World Headquarters: 1-800-344-6453 Mon- Fri 6:30 am - 4:50 pm (Pacific Time)

To longtime fans and supporters of Minor Threat and Dischord this must seem like just another familiar example of mainstream corporations attempting to to assimilate underground culture to turn a buck. However it is more disheartening to us to think that Nike may be successful in using this imagery to fool kids, just beginning to becoming familiar with skate culture, underground music and DIY ideals, into thinking that the general ethos of this label, and Minor Threat in particular, can somehow be linked to Nike's mission. In any regard, we would like to thank the many people who have written to us in the last several days to express their outrage, support and encouragement.
Old 06-24-05 | 07:10 PM
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This thread inspired me to listen to my minor threat cd again, hadn't listened to it for years. Still good stuff!
Old 06-25-05 | 08:49 AM
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Punk rock bands have been stealing corporate logos to advertise their product for a long time now. Only now when the situation is reversed has a grave injustice occurred.
Old 06-25-05 | 09:20 AM
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Originally Posted by SFranke
Punk rock bands have been stealing corporate logos to advertise their product for a long time now. Only now when the situation is reversed has a grave injustice occurred.
Wow. You don't get it do you?

Ian Mckaye has never stolen the imagery of another business. Ian's not responsible for any band outside of Dischord Records that co-opted a business's logo.

Nike is responsible when their billion dollar marketing department steals someone else's graphics.
Old 06-25-05 | 09:25 AM
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btw here's a fullpage version of Dischord's Nike's ad:


They even stole Minor Threat's logo!
Old 06-25-05 | 12:35 PM
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A little off topic, but damn what an album. This brought back memories along with Fugazi stuff as well.
Old 06-25-05 | 01:45 PM
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Wieden and Kennedy = name of ad agency that Nike usually uses... no idea if they are the ones who created this ad though. They have a website... I emailed them as well.
Old 06-26-05 | 05:01 PM
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Check out this website... great stuff:

http://ilx.wh3rd.net/thread.php?msgid=5942033




Old 06-26-05 | 05:50 PM
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Originally Posted by Brain Stew
Wow. You don't get it do you?
Oh, I get it entirely: you are just not getting me. My comments are not directed at Dischord or McKaye per se, but just an observation of the punk rock mentality, namely the opinion that the entities which are wealthy are undeserving of wealth by virtue of the fact that they are wealthy.


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