Remember Pearl Harbor

December 1941: Following the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, Chicago printer Louis Fortman claimed exclusive right in Illinois to the use of the slogans "Remember Pearl Harbor" and "Avenge Pearl Harbor," insisting that he had originated and printed the slogans on December 8 and had registered them under the state's patent and trademark laws. Anyone wishing to use the slogans would need his permission — and would need to pay him. However, Fortman said he was willing to let them be used, at no charge, for "patriotic purposes and to aid defense activities."

In response to public outrage, Illinois Secretary of State Edward J. Hughes canceled Fortman's registration of the slogans.

Chicago Daily Tribune - Feb 4, 1942

Chicago Daily Tribune - Mar 28, 1942

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Alex Boese Alex is the creator and curator of the Museum of Hoaxes. He's also the author of various weird, non-fiction, science-themed books such as Elephants on Acid and Psychedelic Apes. Paul Di Filippo Paul has been paid to put weird ideas into fictional form for over forty years, in his career as a noted science fiction writer. Contact Us

Posted By: Alex - Wed Dec 07, 2016
Category: Patriotism | 1940s

Comments

Patent Pending is not the same as Patent Granted.

Posted by KDP on 12/07/16 at 04:57 PM

How times have changed. Today someone with his ambition to profit from a tragedy would probably be considered for a cabinet position in the next administration.

Posted by Fritz G on 12/08/16 at 07:16 AM

Reminds me of the time MicroTrash tried to do a copyright on the "menu" in computer programs.

Posted by Expat47 in Athens, Greece on 12/08/16 at 10:08 AM

Expat: I think you'll find that was Crapple, against MicroShaft...

Posted by Richard Bos on 12/08/16 at 04:21 PM

Well, Rich, whom ever it was - it was a stupid move. There was so much grandfather code out there....

Posted by Expat47 in Athens, Greece on 12/08/16 at 11:28 PM

Too bad it didn't work. It could have helped avoid such mistakes as "Remember Pearl Harbor! Buy your Smith and Wesson now!", "Mattresses half price this weekend! We remember Pearl Harbor!" or "Avenge Pearl Harbor! Get your Japanese electronics at Wilson's!" or "Sweet revenge! Avenge Pearl Harbor, get you Matcha ice cream at Bobbie's, Hawaii's best ice cream parlor!"

Posted by Yudith on 12/11/16 at 06:36 AM

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