As moeman pointed out in the comments yesterday, the NHL has gone after the nice people at Basha for displaying a poster of a man cutting delicious shwarma meat while wearing a Habs jersey. The NHL's cadre of legal professionals demanded that the owner of the Basha at Ste Catherine and Drummond (a fine establishment, eaten there many times) pay $89,000 ($1000 for each day the poster was up) for being a Habs fan.
You'd think this was all some sort of horrible April Fool's joke, but it's the middle of May. The NHL seems intent on, uh, fucking over the little guy? The owner of that fine Basha establishment even covered up the CH on the jersey after receiving a warning, but that wasn't enough for BettmanCo. The lawyers decided that the "Go Habs Go" on the poster was also intellectual property and continued apace. Because if there is one thing intellectual property law was designed to protect, it's delicious seasoned meats wrapped in a pita bread. Or as part of a plate with potatoes, rice, salad, garlic sauce or hummus, and pita on the side for only $7.95. That's a great deal, if a little starchy.
Now, I'm not an intellectual property lawyer but... oh wait, I am an intellectual property lawyer. Hmmm. Fuck Basha and their unlicensed use of registered trademarks! We must protect the intellectual property of our poor starving sports leagues and franchises! One small business owner is just the beginning. You there, with the Habs flags flying from your Hyundai Accent, did you buy those at some souvenir shop downtown? That shit is unlicensed! Pay up for FFS. You, the cute blonde who wants to paint a CH on your cheek before you go to the game you paid $175 to see? Sorry, that's gonna cost you! We never authorized that face painting, and you might show up on TV giving millions of viewers the impression we did. All you people chanting "Go Habs Go" in the streets after a big playoff win - you think we're letting you off the hook? $1000 for each day you chant. We never authorized any of that.
There's only one solution, obvs. Chant or print "Go You Fucking Habs Go" instead. That shit ain't trademarked. Yet.
p.s. Tweet this bitCHes - Bs tie it (meh), (Y)Emelin! 4 realz this year, Boivin on francophones. #stillwaitingforthesun
