The Fine Brothers, creators of the popular website Raven Stake, have been featured on major viral video websites. They create original sketch comedy videos. Now, after being hit with a cease and desist letter from Hasbro Toys, the Fine Brothers are asking the question, “When did playing with toys on the internet become illegal?”
Read the whole story below:
Orlando, FL June 4, 2006 — On May 30th 2006, Benny and Rafi Fine received a “Cease & Desist” letter from Hasbro, Inc.. The company demanded they take their popular Internet series “G.I. Joe: The Epic Saga” off of their website at RavenStake.com for the use of Hasbro’s action figures and logos which constitutes copyright infringement.
The letter states the videos must be taken down by June 9th, 2006 at 5pm EST, and the Brothers plan to comply. In a time that Internet rights are such an issue, the shutting down of the series only strengthens fears that the web is not a place for free expression. If the Fine Brothers’ toy-size comedy satire is at risk, where they made no monetary gain, then what is
next.
“G.I. Joe: The Epic Saga” is a trilogy of feature films split up into mini-series format to accommodate the online community. It stars figures from G.I. Joe, Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings, Star Wars, and more. The series had been running for one year, and two of the three feature films were released before the letter was received. To the dismay of the films’ fans, it appears the third film will not be allowed to see release.
The videos can be seen until June 9th, 2006 at Raven Stake/G.I. Joe.
“G.I. Joe: The Epic Saga” production stills can be viewed at Raven Stake Press Pics.
To view a copy of the Cease and Desist Letter from Hasbro GO HERE.
Kudos for Hasbro – The question for the fine brothers should be “When did palying with toys on the internet give anyone the right to infringe trademarks and other intellectual property?”
I don’t know, Barry. My momma always taught me to share my toys. From the letter, however, it looks like Hasbro was more annoyed with how the franchise was being used, that is, the content of the actual films, rather than the idea of the fan-film itself.