Monday, June 21, 2010

This sporting life








In March, Fifa successfully pursued a low- cost airline for using pictures of footballs, vuvuzelas, and stadiums in its advertising, causing a South African legal expert to voice amazement at the "excesses" of the World Cup legislation, and to lament the choice the government made "to placate Fifa" at the expense of freedom of expression.

Fifa praises South Africa for adopting this draconian stance – as well it might. It's all very pour encourager les autres. Yet, when it is pointed out that even the Chinese government stopped short of actually criminalising this kind of marketing intrusion at the Beijing games, a Fifa spokesman declares that similar legislation is in place in New Zealand ready for next year's Rugby World Cup.

Makes you think, doesn't it?

1 comment:

Lyndon said...

Yeah, the Wellington council is running a "RWC 2011 basics for Wellington businesses". It doesn't mention if it includes an 'where you'll be allowed to advertise' stream.