Red Cross trying to prevent emblem's use in games...

[Speedo]

-- February 9, 2006 by: Chris Remo

Recently, David Pratt of the Canadian Red Cross sent a letter to a Vancouver law firm representing several game developers, requesting that the games industry cease usage of the emblem of the Red Cross in games. The familiar icon is of course used in an enormous number of video games, most of them first person shooters, to represent health packs or similar items. A few days ago, his letter was published on game industry legal advice site GameLaw.ORG. Pratt points out that not only is the use of the emblem being conducted without the consent of Canadian Red Cross or any other Red Cross organizations, but its unauthorized use is prohibited by international law under the Geneva Convention.

From the letter:
It is our considered view that the various displays of the Red Cross which are referenced above are inappropriate and are a breach of international and domestic law. The fact that the Red Cross is also used in videos which contain strong language and violence is also of concern to us in that they directly conflict with the basic humanitarian principles espoused by the Red Cross movement. The crux of the problem is that the misuse of the Red Cross in video games is not only in contravention of the law, it also encourages others to believe that the emblem of the Red Cross is "public property" and can be freely used by any organization or indeed for commercial purposes. The time and effort we must spend across Canada protecting the emblem of the Red Cross is not inconsequential. The same holds true for the American Red Cross and other national societies around the world.

Click here for the full text.

While it would be admittedly impractical to attempt to address past uses of the emblem on a case by case basis, the organization hopes that publishers and developers can commit to a dialogue with the Red Cross to ensure that its emblem is not used illegally in the future. I contacted Mr. Pratt to discuss the situation and try to get a bigger picture of how the Red Cross' grievances with the games industry relate to the larger picture of the emblem's misuse and the organization's efforts to educate about the emblem's legal status.

One thing that was made repeatedly clear was that the Red Cross is in no way targeting the video game industry in particular; the society deals with infringement of the symbol on a frequent basis, and considers any unauthorized usage to be inappropriate. However, the video game industry's portrayal of the emblem is widespread and the Red Cross is concerned that it may create the false impression, particularly among younger gamers, that it is a public domain image. The current political climate in regards to video games, which is undeniably one of condemnation, perhaps infuses this issue with unavoidable social overtones. Pratt was repeatedly insistent that there is absolutely no agenda at work; this is a matter of control of an internationally protected emblem. The fact that it has sprung up now is unrelated to any legislative or otherwise political concerns surrounding video games.

Full interview: http://www.shacknews.com/extras/2006/020906_redcross_1.x

Hrm....

 

[Mr. Dictator]

its just a shape

thats BS

what else would we use in FPS?

lets use green crosses or a diff. shade of red

 

[Leonel]

See this is why we need wars; to keep these people busy and not bored enough to do things like this to occupy themselves!

 

[Babbler]

These crosses should be replaced with crescents: no one will have a problem with that!

 

[blackheart]

Replace the crosses with Nazi swastikas. Everytime you shoot someone in an FPS you are saving them from Nazi ideas and fighting Nazism all at once.

 

[RoddyVR]

Replace the crosses with Nazi swastikas. Everytime you shoot someone in an FPS you are saving them from Nazi ideas and fighting Nazism all at once.

no, actualy the way that would work out is that "i've gotten hurt, i need to find a nazi swastika to feel better". not exactly teh immage of a hero. not to even bring the fact that teh swastica does not ONLY symbolize nazis (but that's a different point then what you bring up).

the red cross can go eat their own bullfeathers. if they didnt want "their" symbol used by whoever felt like it, they should have not picked as common a shape as two sticks crosing eachother at a 90 degree angle.

besides, they should think of it as free advertizing. ask any 14 year old gamer "if you somehow ended up in a warzone and were hurt, where would you go?" they'd answer the red cross. why? cause they know how much good the red cross does? ye right, its cause they've seen the red cross in their most violent games.
or ask a soldier in iraq "would you attack a truck with a red cross on it?" he'd say no, and its not cause his commanding officer told him "these guys are on our side" i bet noone even thinks to mention that anymore, everyone knows that the red cross should not be attacked, they're a neutral good guy. and a lot of that reputation comes from the blatant pattent infringement on their simbol by movies, games and god knows what else.

 

[El_Machinae]

I realise that most people don't respect copyrights and trademark rights, but Red Cross does have the right to push their ownership of a symbol.

Like people have insinuated ... there are an infinite number of alternate symbols available.

 

[Stylesjl]

I bet the red cross will start *****ing at the christian church next

 

[Urederra]

I bet the red cross will start *****ing at the christian church next

Or could be the other way around.

The game developers always can say that the red cross copied their sign form the christian church, so they'd better be quiet or find another shape.

 

[Babbler]

Or could be the other way around.

The game developers always can say that the red cross copied their sign form the christian church, so they'd better be quiet or find another shape.

No, they all stole it from Switzerland:

 

[Erik Mesoy]

While I support the RC's right to stop their symbols becoming common use (and hence making them useless in warzones), I could think of much worse things than health packs to put it on.

 

[nonconformist]

Hmmm, while I see their point, I think that it's a much too well known symbol.
My first aid kit has it, and it's got nothing to do with the Red Cross.

 

[CartesianFart]

Geneva conventions. God,i am tired of the holy Geneva conventions.

 

[Wolfe Tone]

Ok, how about we use a slightly distorted lower case t.

 

[mitsho]

WEll, first, @Urederra that is a common misconception, but the Red Cross has nothing to do with Christianity/Christian Church, the symbol is a reversed Swiss flag, as the Red Cross was founded in Switzerland by a Swiss and the flag is a tribute to this humanitarian nation.

I truly understand the Red Cross! Regarding the newest developments (Muhammed Cartoons!), the organisation should do everything to stay as neutral as possible, and appearing in games can (!!) violate this perception of the organisation. Just think of Jyllands-Posten and see how little is needed, or more directly, the case of the Israeli Red Cross just a few weeks ago.

Besides, the Red Cross is a organisation like any other, and in our modern capitalist world, you won't get anything for nothing. For sport games for example, the developers have to pay to be allowed to use the real world names (and faces ...) of the players.

As an alternative symbol, the one of the drugstores could be popular, or simply the Aesculapius-staff with the snake. Or the Red-Cross symbol in Green looks familiar to me too! You see, there are tons of options.

mitsho

 

[greekguy]

all video game makers have to do is, change the color of the cross, like, less than 1 shade of red. make it dark red, or light red, or green, who cares. why does the red cross really care if their symbol is in a video game? it's a shape...it's not hurting anyone!

 

[Wolfe Tone]

I wonder if something similar to a generic trademark could be applied to this.

 

[JollyRoger]

all video game makers have to do is, change the color of the cross, like, less than 1 shade of red. make it dark red, or light red, or green, who cares. why does the red cross really care if their symbol is in a video game? it's a shape...it's not hurting anyone!

I'm sure the Red Cross has gone through the trouble of getting legal protection of their symbol. That being said, they have every right to control how it is used. Nothing is stopping the gamemakers from asking permission to use the symbol. Of course, the Red Cross may ask for some $ in return, which is also their right. Changing the color may work, but changing it to a slightly different color of red may not be enough.

 

[Irish Caesar]

What did video games use for medkits before the Red Cross was founded? We could always go back to that...

 

[Mr. Dictator]

i think the red cross outdates games

by several years at least