I'm a bit confused by all this legal stuff regarding The Discovery Channel's trademarks and Iron Crosses. Has the Discovery Channel trademarked Nazi memorabilia? Is that what they are trying to protect?
This is so confusing. As I understand it, a blogger noted that some items in the Discovery Channel store looked like Nazi memorabilia, that Simi Valley had banned the articles in their schools, and that Discovery Channel's lawyers had come completely unglued as a result.
Here's the scoop. I wrote an blog post about the star of Discovery Channel's Monster Garage, who has a business called West Coast Choppers. The company logo is the German Iron Cross -- a long-recognized neo-Nazi hate symbol (see the Anti-Defamation League's Web site). Discovery Channel promotes the sale of clothing and other merchandise by displaying it on the TV program anf they sell clothing with the neo-Nazi symbol in the stores, though. Just go to Discovery Channel Store Home > Fan Gear & Clothing > Monster Garage..
On the same day that I started getting hate mail from neo-Nazi bikers, Discovery Channel lawyers sent me a cease and desist notice for two parodies I did on my blog earlier. That can't be a coincidence. I did the post way back on Feb. 8th.
Also, they seem to have faked the delivery date of the C&D to make it appear that they sent me this harrassing message BEFORE I wrote about the neo-Nazi stuff.
Posted by: Fritz at March 20, 2004 08:30 PMDo a little history...I don't think the cross you refer too is of German decent...goes way further back in history than that my friend.
Just thought I'd try and help enlighten you as to its origins.
Peace out.
Posted by: WebHeadJames at March 31, 2004 08:12 PMHistory of the Iron Cross
The Iron Cross was originally established by King Friedrich Wilhelm III in March 1813. On 5th August 1914 Wilhelm II, Emperor of Germany and the King of Prussia, reestablished the medal. The Iron Cross was awarded without regard for nationality or social class to combatants for acts of heroism, bravery or leadership skills. During the First World War Germany awarded over five million of these medals to members of the armed forces: Grand Cross (5), First Class (288,000) and Second Class (5,200,000).
Adolph Hitler renewed use of the Iron Cross in 1939 and superimposed the Nazi swastika in its center. Following the fall of the Third Reich, the symbol became strictly prohibited in post-war Germany. Today, the symbol is often displayed by neo-Nazi groups, especially as jewelry (e.g., pendants). The Iron Cross without the swastika is also frequently used as a hate symbol in the same manner as the Nazi-era Iron Cross. It is sometimes used for shock effect as it conjures up images of Nazi Germany and its military without being explicitly Nazi itself. In this guise, it is often displayed on clothing and accessories.