Subject:
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Re: Update on Maori/Bionicle dispute
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Newsgroups:
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lugnet.technic.bionicle
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Date:
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Wed, 31 Oct 2001 05:54:45 GMT
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Viewed:
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1264 times
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> Point taken, but let's up the stakes for the sake of argument. If LEGO
> had released a (substandard) action figure line, and one of the main
> characters was named Jesus Christ, would Catholics have a problem? How
> about if Jesus Christ had a pal and sidekick named Satan? I'm admittedly
> just speculating, but if "turaga" carries a significant cultural connotation
> for the Maori, why wouldn't LEGO respect that, since LEGO postures itself as
> a manufacturer of toys with universal appeal?
but this line of reasoning lies on specific terms, not broad cultural
terminology. the maori seem to have a problem with the use of maori
terminology, albeit some of them with religious connotation. i mean "pohatu"
means "stone"; given your line of reasoning, this shouldn't be a problem.
i think respect is an important issue, but Lego should be careful not to give
into golddiggers.
>
> > Just 'cause it ain't English, don't mean it's any less generic, does it? That
> > seems like a loosing proposition to me...only English words are fair game for
> > use? B.S.
>
> Very true. Ask George Lucas how he came up with languages for some of his
> aliens. Does Lucas have to pay royalties to Mozambique every time Nein Nunb
> opens his mouth?
i think this is a big issue.. exactly how "cultural property rights" should
work. i tend to side on the idea that a language is public domain, excepting
words with specific meaning, and reinterpretation of a language in an obviously
fictionalized setting should also be wide open.
i mean, did lego have to pay off rights to americans and american indians for
their 'wild west' theme? of course not!
>
> > "The LEGO Company were challenged earlier this year to withdraw their popular
> > line of Bionicle products due to the wholesale lifting of the names and
> > traditions of the Maori people in the line."
>
> No doubt Hercules and Zena will have to compensate Greece.
>
> > > And is there something wrong with Maori trying to protect and promote >their • culture?
> >
> > At TLC's expense? You're damn right there is. (Or at anyone else's, for that
> > matter...)
>
> Why? If the Maori feel that the a children's toy truly is earning a
> profit by trivializing their culture, I think they have a legitimate beef.
>
> > 'If an agreement can be made and the stories and the names are used
> > appropriately so you couldn't put the name tohunga [a spiritual advisor and
> > healer] where it didn't belong, then there can be a whole generation of kids
> > around the world that get to know and understand about things Maori.'"
> >
> > OH! But I thought the benevolent Maori were taking this on for the entire
> > Pacific Island region!
>
> Well, that's just ad hominem.
>
> Dave!
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Message is in Reply To:
 | | Re: Update on Maori/Bionicle dispute
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| (...) Point taken, but let's up the stakes for the sake of argument. If LEGO had released a (substandard) action figure line, and one of the main characters was named Jesus Christ, would Catholics have a problem? How about if Jesus Christ had a pal (...) (23 years ago, 30-Oct-01, to lugnet.technic.bionicle)
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