The Royal Institution has gone commercially nuts and trademarked the generic phrase "CHRISTMAS LECTURES".
Institutionalised
As in someone needs to be...
Someone at the Royal Institution has patently gone crackers. This celebrated institution with a long history of the furtherence of scientific resarch, and dissemination of knowledge is in danger of becoming a pariah and a laughing stock both at the same time. Although it only appears to have become common knowledge due to recent formal announcements, since 2011 they have been pursuing a trademark registration for the phrase "CHRISTMAS LECTURES". Astonishingly, in March of this year the trademark registration was actually granted by the Intellectual Property Office, but only formally announced in the last week by the RI in the form of an ever-changing release[PDF], and expect any other body or individual using the term for science lectures to sign an agreement with them. Seriously. As if they are the only institution to ever organise lectures at that time of year and dub them "Christmas lectures", or somehow uniquely endowed to moderate the use of the term. The following is an extract of the terms and conditions of participating in what they are now calling their festival:
The event should be called of the form [Location] Christmas Lecture, and the event description should contain the following statement: "This event is part of a UK-wide celebration of science, technology, engineering and maths at Christmas time, inspired by the CHRISTMAS LECTURES, started by Michael Faraday at the Royal Institution in 1825."
The arrogant fucks think, no doubt whilst trying to cream off a percentage of any commercially sponsored event, that it is their duty to govern the way lectures are delivered at Christmas time. A few weeks ago I was expressing sympathy that the RI was struggling with its financial burdens and may lose its historical premises. Now? Fuck them. They're doing their hero - and frankly one of mine - a gross disservice. The building would be better off in the hands of an organisation with fewer megalomaniacs, and more respect for other institutions. Nail in the coffin.
The PDF document containing the announcement, referenced above, is already on its third revision in about 6 days. Previously it contained the e-mail address of the (a?) person responsible for fielding enquiries, although to be fair to them it is probably some poor clerical grunt, not the eccentric responsible for the decision. Nevertheless, I was compelled to write to them. The e-mail address should function as a normal e-mailable link if you should feel equally inclined.
From: Gulraj Rijhwani To: obrown@ri.ac.uk Date: Fri (2013-05-17 21:43:45 +0100) Subject: Re: trade marking of a simple phrase in common usage I read, with astonishment, the announcement on the web site of the trademarking of the term "christmas lectures" by the Royal Institution. That such an august and worthy educational body should suddenly embark on such shenanigans is quite astonishing and deplorable. Whilst I understand - as do many - that the RI has been going through tough financial times, the idea that a phrase in common usage - in reference to the RI or not - can be co-opted is utterly ridiculous. I find myself ashamed of a body I was only too happy to stand in defence of just weeks ago.
Not cool, RI. Not cool.
