BBC Traffic Cops busted!
p2p news / p2pnet: p2pnet’s catflap has been over at Britain’s hallowed BBC.
“Watching this past week’s episode of Traffic Cops, they introduced a new computer system which can read license plates and identifies the owner, as well as any traffic or insurance violations,” he posts on the Beeb’s Traffic Cops message board, going on:
“BUT! What the hell is Fred Flinstone doing in the system?
“The ‘fine’, ‘law-abiding’ cops use an (apparently) illegal pirated recording of Fred Flinstone’s voice in their on-board computer system to alert them of a suspect vehicle.
” ‘Yabba-Dabba-Doo’ is a trademark of Hanna-Barbera/Cartoon Network, as well as the voice of Fred Flinstone is copyright protected. I believe that using Fred’s voice and the trademark slogan without permission from the copyright owner is a serious violation of international copyright laws.
“As well, the BBC should have been aware of this fact and bleeped the the sound of Fred’s voice and any any mention of him or his trademark slogan.
“If the cops do have permission to use the recording, it should have been made clear in the program. If they (as well as the BBC) do not have permission and pay royalties to Hanna-Barbera/Cartoon Network, they are infringing on the rights of the copyright owners and should have to pay huge fines. The cops should not be allowed to continue breaking international copyright laws. And the BBC should have known better.
“Yabba-Dabba-Doo? Rather, Yabba-Dabba-BOOOOOOO!”
Nice one ; )
June 1st, 2006 at 8:45 pm
Yep, it is a trademark in UK as well.
http://webdb4.patent.gov.uk/tm/number?detailsrequested=C&trademark=2031108
Class 41:
Production, exhibition and publication, all for television programming,
cinematic films, video tapes and sound recordings.
June 1st, 2006 at 8:46 pm
They shouldn’t be persecuted any more than consumers. However, when police forces around the world are acting as hitmen for entertainment cartels at taxpayer expense, they become fair game.
June 1st, 2006 at 8:46 pm
“The…cops use an (apparently) illegal pirated recording of Fred Flinstone’s voice [exclaiming his trademark "Yabba-Dabba-Doo"] in their on-board computer system to alert them of a suspect vehicle.”
“Yabba-Dabba-Doo” to alert them of a suspect vehicle?
Even if there were no copyright issues involved that is just so totally f__ked up that it’s hard to believe. Fred yells “Yabba-Dabba-Doo” when he is happy about something. Great idea to have a celebratory rebel yell used to alert the cops of a suspect vehicle. The cops need to be competent and professional when apprehending a suspect. That is dead serious business. IMHO it’s a incredibly bad idea to make them feel HAPPY ABOUT IT!!
How can people be so stupid?
June 2nd, 2006 at 7:22 am
how pathetic
June 2nd, 2006 at 9:56 am
yeah i also thought it was so crass when i saw it on tv.
these cops are so lame anyway. at the end of each show the narrator tells what the final result was for wach suspect shown. many times the victims have been let off because the cops had no real proof of a crime or infraction. they just like to abuse their power.
typical NWO mentality.
June 2nd, 2006 at 5:00 pm
/me looks left
/me looks right
/me check behind him…
PWND
huds601
October 26th, 2006 at 12:27 pm
As a Special Constable in the UK I think it’s about time people found some sense when discussing the Police…. Everyone hates them but low behold when we get burgled or attacked- we all need the Police. In regard to abusing power, you can only arrest with what evidence you have and if you have reasonable suspicion. Don’t blame the Police, blame people who invent the laws. Secondly, instead of people moaning about the Police, try getting involved and becoming a Special, actually try to make a difference. Just like people who hate speed cameras- don’t speed and you wont get caught, it’s as simple as that!
November 9th, 2006 at 7:12 pm
Does anybody really care that much?
And how many of you ‘innocent’ people have downloaded songs or saved website images ‘illegally’ without even giving the owners a thought?
Anyhoo….
January 10th, 2007 at 7:27 pm
do you know if they have the right to show you on tv if you are only 17 at the time
October 26th, 2007 at 7:02 am
Loser
August 14th, 2008 at 4:32 pm
This is really pathetic, its only a sound. You must be one HUGE cartoon network and Flinstons fan.