Trosow on Wal-Mart Using IP To Shut Down Union Site

August 8, 2009

Sam Trosow reports on Wal-Mart's efforts to shut down a union website by using intellectual property claims based primarily in trademark.

Kissinger says:
August 9, 2009 at 12:54 am

Freedom of expression
Dr. Geist,

What are you opinions of this court filing?

This union has had a rough time. Walmart stores in Quebec who voted for a Union completely shut down.

Gatineua Walmart tire shops (raise of about 20-cents) shut down.

Walmart stores who voted for a Union, shut down.

One union made it.

Now Walmart wants this Union website shut down and off-line.

Is this trying to shut Quebec unions off?

Is this trying to muscle via the courts to shut people off?

Is this freedom of speech/expression/association being abused via courts?

What is the big picture here?

Any expert analysis of this?
Vincent Clement says:
August 9, 2009 at 6:54 am

Utterly stupid on Walmart’s part. Has no one there heard of the Streisand effect? Just more abuse of IP.
Rawsteiner says:
August 10, 2009 at 11:50 am

ICBC adopting similar tactics?
Sounds similar to this story: “ICBC sues owner of insurance-advice website”
http://www.cbc.ca/canada/british-columbia/story/2009/08/06/bc-icbc-sues-website.html