Red Cross condemns use of emblem in video games

[kleinluka]

http://gamesindustry.biz/content_page.php?aid=14552

how retarded

Organisation hopes to set up dialogue with developers

The British Red Cross has told GamesIndustry.biz that it hopes to work with developers to prevent the "illegal and detrimental" misuse of the red cross emblem in videogames.

"It is important for videogame manufacturers not to use the emblem in their games, including for matters related to its humanitarian purpose, such as first aid or general medical care," said Michael Meyer, head of international law for the British Red Cross.

"The use of the emblem in videogames is both illegal and detrimental to the special protective value of the emblem."

Meyer's comments come after US website GameLaw.org published a letter from David Pratt of the Canadian Red Cross complaining about the "unauthorised and indeed illegal use of the Red Cross emblem by the [gaming] industry."

"The fact that the Red Cross is also used in [videogames] which contain strong language and violence is also of concern to us in that they directly conflict with the basic humanitarian principles espoused by the Red Cross movement," Pratt stated.

Meyer said this view was shared by the British Red Cross, which "has been aware of this problem for a number of years" and would welcome a dialogue with game developers "in order to prevent further misuse of the emblem and to try to stop current misuses."

"We would be willing to work with a videogame manufacturer to produce a game which shows the emblem in its correct use, as a symbol of protection during armed conflict, and where the player is rewarded for using the emblem correctly. Such a game could reward the player for respecting the rules of war and thereby, help the Red Cross Movement with its work to promote such respect," Meyer continued.

"The help of videogame manufacturers in protecting the integrity of the emblem, and upholding its special meaning, would be much appreciated."

[mikezilla]

yeah they've approached most of the dallas developers about this. i think everyone is sitting around for a bit to see if there is a legal precedent for such a thing.

we're in an especially odd pickle because instead of just using to represent health or whatever, it's actually part of history (i'm sure moh and cod have the same problem)

silly red cross. i always knew they were a corrupt organization but atleast try to HIDE THE FACT you're a "humanitarian" company doing your best to turn a profit off the top.

ugh

[von*ferret]

Yeah I'm pretty sure you can't capitalize on such a thing. Similar to how Trump couldn't patent "You're Fire." I've grown up with the cross, and I still to this day would probably associate it with a video game over their association.

"work with developers to create a game that displays Red Cross in a humanitarian" What crock is this lol

[Minos]

I can understand it tbh. Since that lunatic lawyer began his personal crusade against games, they are being seen as an evil thing, specially by conservative people (aka christians and the like). Red Cross wouldn't like their image associated to such evil things.

[user]

wait, a red colored plus sign is copyrighted?

it's not like we're giving the symbol a bad name, compared to what the nazis did with the swastika.

that is until we unite and genocide all (anti-videogame) lawyers and lobbyists.

[von*ferret]

I dont think its a conservative thing that games are bad. Some are simply not appropriate for children and thats where I believe parents need to step in and make the correct choices for their children on what to play and not to play. However is it the right of a company to monopolize a symbol and prevent anyone from using it when its something isn't JUST theirs? Kinda make sense?

[mikezilla]

well putting unneccesary laws to prohibit video games and their sales is a popular topic on both agendas, right and left, so let's not start the finger pointing again. it's just too easy to go after games and get famous or make money... this will not slow down. It's going to accelerate and get much worse.

[Minos]

I mean, conservative people are as strong as never in the USA. And this minority (not really sure if its a minority or a majority though, don't live in your country) is against everything that hasn't christ in it. Let's face the facts, games have never been so much disliked by parents and non-players like they are now.

I don't agree with their attitude either, just saying that I can understand their reasons.

[mikezilla]

the country was split 51% to 49% (actually closer than that)

But let's not turn this topic into a pointless and grossly over generalized attack on christians.

[General Vivi]

its kinda gay but i agree with the red cross people ...

[Section_Ei8ht]

So if a math instructor corrects a problem with a red pen and puts a plus symbol somewhere in there, is that illegal, too? I mean, its not neccessarily "upholding its special meaning".

BRB. I'm going to go patent a short red line.

[Skjalg]

What defines a logo, if its just a red cross, is it a logo? If its a red cross on a white background, does that make it a logo?

I think it's something more than that, since that red cross has been used for so long, it has become a symbol. Theres also alot of good stuff about it beeing so simple and recognizable, you just have to mentally place yourself in a warzone and you'll get it to.

Now, I can't really say i disagree with them, but why hasn't this been put on Hollywoods agenda? They use the red cross in thousands of movies. (point is, not always correctly).

[Kosmo]

Isn't red cross widely used and accepted symbol for medical personnel? Not just in direct connection to the organization, it's like Microsoft said that no one could use windows in houses or the word window in anywhere. It's a common symbol like the dollar sign, no one has the proper ownership over it to say such things.

[ReNo]

So when you see the red cross on a first aid kit (in real life), does that mean it is somehow tied with the red cross organisation? If you search for "first aid kit" on google images, there are tonnes of them with red crosses on them. Some of them are marked as being from "The American Red Cross", but plenty of others are just from random companies like Johnson and Johnson or whatever. Is it some sort of kitemark they give out to qualifying/sponsored/licensed products? I must admit, like Kosmo I thought it was just a symbol generally used to indicate medical help, but I guess I'm wrong judging by this article. Is the white cross against a green background the more general symbol for medical help?

[D3ads]

Oh God, I am not at all surprised by this, but still how fucking retarded can you get.

I'm going to make a mod where you blow up Red Cross ambulances...