A very, very rare Red Sox (?) cap

[Swiss]

Browsing across the Web, I found this cap called "Acapulco Gold - Beantown American Needle Cap".

Japanese link and American link here!

I like this cap... but what does it mean with that bizarre "B"?

[Andy]

It appears to form a lower-case "a" on top of a capital "G."

[cappital92]

You really sure you like that hat?

[pjinners]

Very Cool .... were I a stoner, I'd go for the black & ice blue one.

a

G

420 all

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acapulco_gold

[Swiss]

Very Cool .... were I a stoner, I'd go for the black & ice blue one.

a

G

420 all

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acapulco_gold

Thank you!!! Now I understand the meaning of the aG and Acapulco Gold.

[cranium]

And why are they selling hats targeted toward the "urban look" promoting marijuana? (besides making money, of course). Don't get me wrong, I had some fun in college, but isn't this really condoning it? If a guy wants to walk into a store and had one made, fine that should be his right, but for companies to market it themselves is morally questionable. $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ drugs $$$$$$$$, do whatever kids.

[Sguse1]

Idk i really think we are at a forefront for decriminalizing marijuana in the next 10-30 years i think drastic changes will be made to this once illegal plant. People will one day see all the benefits that this alien plant can provide us.

[infrared41]

People will one day see all the benefits that this alien plant can provide us.

And companies like Nabisco, Keebler, Domino's, and Frito-Lay will lead the way to this new enlightenment.

[oddball]

My question is, isn't this logo infringement?

[DG_ThenNowForever]

My question is, isn't this logo infringement?

Nah, it's parody. You're allowed to do that.

[Gothamite]

The intent here sure seems to be making money. Where did you get that this was a parody?

[leopard88]

The intent here sure seems to be making money. Where did you get that this was a parody?

Using parody as a defense does not necessarily mean that you can't be trying to make money. In any event, I think the bigger problem with claiming that this is a parody is that I don't think it is that obvious that it is a parody.

[Jezus_Ghoti]

Legal or not, I think what they did to the logo is really clever.

If we can all celebrate how the Binghamton Whalers turned the Hartford Whalers logo on it's side to form a 'B', surely we can celebrate this.

[DG_ThenNowForever]

The intent here sure seems to be making money. Where did you get that this was a parody?

Using parody as a defense does not necessarily mean that you can't be trying to make money. In any event, I think the bigger problem with claiming that this is a parody is that I don't think it is that obvious that it is a parody.

It's not unlike a band appropriating a coffee logo for its t-shirts, or the Christian stores selling t-shirts with the Reese's logo fashioned into "Jesus," right?

[leopard88]

The intent here sure seems to be making money. Where did you get that this was a parody?

Using parody as a defense does not necessarily mean that you can't be trying to make money. In any event, I think the bigger problem with claiming that this is a parody is that I don't think it is that obvious that it is a parody.

It's not unlike a band appropriating a coffee logo for its t-shirts, or the Christian stores selling t-shirts with the Reese's logo fashioned into "Jesus," right?

That's not a bad analogy. I just think that is isn't as clear at first glance that this is something other than a backwards Red Sox logo, which leads to greater likelihood of customer confusion. The other situtations are usually apparent fairly easily.

[Gothamite]

Legal or not, I think what they did to the logo is really clever.

If we can all celebrate how the Binghamton Whalers turned the Hartford Whalers logo on it's side to form a 'B', surely we can celebrate this.

Well, not quite. Birmingham did it to emphasize their connection with Hartford. Big difference.

The other major problem I have with it is that it doesn't read - I look at it and don't see the "a" and "g", but rather a backwards Boston "B".

[Jezus_Ghoti]

I just really like it when people tinker with logos to change/subvert their meaning. I loved the Binghamton Whalers, I loved this, I liked this and I am fond of pretty much anything along those lines.

I immediately see the 'a' and 'G', but I can definitely see that not everyone would.

I like this hat so much I kinda want to buy one, even though I am the last guy who would go around advertising a strand of marijuana (that I had never even heard of prior to today).

[AndrewPF]

"No stems no seeds that you don't need, Acapulco Gold is badass weed."- Cheech and Chong

[Cianfrocco]

Parody is a fair use defense, but it can only be used once infringement has been proven. The important thing is that it is a "defense," not a "right." You can't just go around changing everyone's logo's a little, calling it a parody and get away with it. Fair use defense is kind of like saying, "yes we are infringing, but..." and courts don't have to let you off. Even with a fair use defense, you can end up owing damages.

[Swiss]

I never suspected how good was going this thread.

Thank you for all the opinions here, it was instructive reading each point of view.