#OpAnonTrademark reply from Early Flicker

Good morning to everyone,
I'm the manager of Early Flicker.

Regarding the subject of the Anonymous Logo and motto reveled by the media in the recent days, here my complete response to the questions you may have:

Certain communication errors regarding the subject have happened and it seems important to me to clarify the situation, which you may see as an ignominy.

The society Early Flicker is a little enterprise that proposes everyone to personalize diverse objects, the effigy of country or characters or ideas they defend. The profit is minimum, we only sell 2 or 3 objects a day but the idea seemed nice, ludic and got me exited.

Often when a client of a site like the one mentioned asks for a model (it is the case in all the sites of this type, where a good majority propose equally the anonymous logo and slogan) the seller has to verify that these images are copyright free with the legal complications that this suppose. I have therefore regularly verified the absence of a copyright deposit of these models until some months ago (February 2012) because I had an idea to make the copyright deposit myself. This would guarantee to have a free and legal fashion… For everyone! After the copyright deposit was made no INTERDICTION for it's use has been made as well as no CENT has been reclaimed through its copyright.

I remind you that after a logo is copyrighted the exclusivity of the owner doesn't take effect unless he acts, for example if a third party sells the logo. This has not happen in the past months (I don't understand the last 2 days where this line of conduct has been chosen) and will never happen. On the Internet the targets could have been many! The idea itself of getting rich by demanding a copyright (of an image not authored by me) to people that recognize some principals that I'm perfectly acquainted with because of my job, and in which I believe, has never been the spirit.

The evidence that I though I gathered regarding my actions. has not let my justify them, which explains I think, the indignation and fury of some of you today.

It seems that before the information provided some days ago my action had remained unknown because of the simple and good reason that I didn't search neither to claim anything nor make a buzz. The copyright deposit has been made with absolute discretion in February and hadn't made any waves. I'm still astonished about the craziness it has brought today but at least has the merit of proving our reaction before actions that may hinder the liberty of expression. Maybe a little bit less naivety from my part could have avoid this situation but I didn't see it evolving to this. The deposit is not expensive and assures a perfect action of liberty, the questions posed by the media of the "objective followed by such an act" are not posed on me.

Let’s be clear, it's absolutely not about creating a Anonymous "brand". I don't produce in bulk, but in units and according to the demand, I've never sold in bulk the effigy of the movement, I have never produced any tag or brand or any sign of recognition for my products. I only print an image on an object to the client’s choice as some other sites like mine do.

It is effectively important that each one be conscious (me included) that the Anonymous logo and slogan, not only doesn't belong to me but to anyone, it is maybe unacceptable that they're protected by someone who won't seek to make profit out of them and that sometimes it could be wise to use the enemy's weapons as defense (why not even with copyright). Some will answer that is the whole principal of Creative Commons, however, given the problems raised by the actual situation, we can legitimately ask if this protection is enough. But all of this can certainly be discussed, the points of view can diverge on this point, I can easily understand it and I understand it better after having heard the opinions of many, which I never expected really.

The deposit could have been made by a bad intentioned person, which could've forbidden the reproduction and free distribution, action that we all agree on refusing. This danger still exists in every other State.

I recognize that the idea at first didn't go that far… it was a simple way of assuring me that no one would oppose to the diffusion of this logos being me or any other person. But in light of the attacks of which I'm the target I thought that it would be good to express my own principals.

I therefore confirm publicly to guarantee the free and legal distribution in France by anyone who shares the Anonymous ideals and this will be for as long as the movement agrees. I repeat that up untill this moment I haven't distanced my self from this way, which is difficult to verify. Furthermore, without the buzz created by independent media, and not by my enterprise, nothing would have changed regarding the use of the logo and slogan and the copyright deposit would have remained unknown for the coming months or years.
I hope that my message will be understood, without a doubt it would have been wiser to obtain the agreement of some sort of authority but by definition Anonymous doesn't have an authority figure.

I don't pose myself as the incarnated defender of Anonymous, but as someone (as many others) that wishes to freely help those who recognize and sponsor their ideas, on the same spirit of those who would chose a t-shirt with the effigy of an historic character. This all responds exactly with the mission of my website and does not oppose in fact the contrary, to the Anonymous movement.

To conclude, it is not pleasing to see my website and my email accounts taken by assault, but believe me that given the relative importance of an enterprise such as mine, the wicked objectives which have been attributed to me are way more painful that bankruptcy the of my business.

I'm currently in contact with Anonymous France and following their will I will do whatever is on the interest of the movement.

The Site activities will resume immediately once the dispute is resolved.

Sincerely

M.Auffret

Translated by @Anon_Prole from: http://www.pickapop.fr/Recherche/