Take a look at this screenshot from the Campaign HQ for McCain Potatoes:
Political parody? No — it’s a real promotional campaign for the french fries and other potato products offered by a real company called McCain, which is trying to capitalize on an unbelievably opportune moment in the company’s history. But the company doing so in a way that treads pretty close to the line of acceptable use of another person’s likeness, and perhaps crosses it. Take a look at the video footage available at the site, which includes extensive footage of a faux (John McCain), weird smile and all, distributing the company’s distinctive blue packages at “campaign” appearances. I looked for the video at YouTube, but it’s already been taken down.
Years ago, Ralph Nader narrowly escaped the trademark clutches of MasterCard when he ran a campaign commercial that parodied its “For Everything Else . . .” campaign. Is McCain Foods on the safe side of the opposite risk — that John McCain the candidate might raise a false endorsement claim? I’ll be honest: When I first looked at the site and watched the video, I was confused, at least for a few moments. But a Republican candidate for national office might be well-advised to steer clear of the potato(e) patch.
One of the first reported cases of self-tarnishment…or perverse passing off.
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