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Feds seek to eliminate Ghettopoly

MrChad

MrChad

Lifer
Text

DECEMBER 22--Justice Department lawyers are seeking judicial permission to destroy about 63,000 copies of the controversial "Ghettopoly" board game, which has been criticized as a racist takeoff on the classic "Monopoly." Earlier this year, Customs and Border Protection agents in Tacoma, Washington seized five separate containers filled with "Ghettopoly" from a ship that had arrived from China. According to the below forfeiture request, the board games were seized by federal agents because they violated a trademark held by Hasbro, which produces "Monopoly." The knockoff game, which retails for $39.95, describes "elements of the game" as, "buying stolen properties, pimpin hoes, building crack houses and projects, paying protection fees and getting car jacked." In "Ghettopoly," players land on properties like Chico's Bodega and Smitty's XXX Peep Show, instead of Boardwalk or Marvin Gardens, and the game pieces include a pimp and a machine gun. When "Ghettopoly" debuted last year, black leaders nationwide decried it as racist and criticized game creator David Chang, who has defended his creation, saying it "draws on stereotypes not as a means to degrade, but as a medium to bring together in laughter." Hasbro, of course, did not get the joke and last October filed a federal copyright lawsuit, which is pending in U.S. District Court in Providence, Rhode Island. Chang has about 30 days to file a claim challenging Uncle Sam's bid to destroy the seized "Ghettopoly" stash, which has a street value of nearly $2.5 million. (5 pages)
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Other than the content, how is this game different from the countless other Monopoly rip-offs? What right does the Federal Government have to destroy this merchandise?
 
the other ones probably pay a license fee.

this one probably dilutes the monopoly trademark
 
Originally posted by: ElFenix
the other ones probably pay a license fee.

this one probably dilutes the monopoly trademark
Click to expand...

I don't know. I've seen licensed Monopoly variations (Star Wars Monopoly, NASCAR Monopoly, etc.). There are also "college" Monopoly versions (at UMD we had "Terpopoly) that I am almost certain are not officially licensed.
 
From the ghettopoly site:
http://www.ghettopoly.com/messageToHaters.html
A Message To The Haters
Ask yourself; Is Jay Leno a racist because he made a comment about Asian people eating dogs? How about Snoop Dog, on his TV show on MTV, is he a racist too?
What do you think when Rappers rap about "Chinky eyes" or "eyes slanted like", should they be called racist also. Or how about the broken English Asians who are portrayed in Black Movies, are the people who laugh, all racist?


Should we also ban every single comedian who cracks jokes about Asians?

For those of you who say, "why don't you make Chinkopoly ?" The word Ch1nk is a Racist word, Ghetto is not. The last time I checked, there may be one Asian rapper on MTV, even then you would probably ask me who he is.

Simply, there would not be enough interest in the American market place, because being an Asian in this Country is not consider too "Hip". Did you ever see an Asian action figure? And those that say "OH OH, he used the word Ghetto" that must mean he thinks all African Americans are just the images than that are in the game.

There are all ethnic groups portrayed in Ghettopoly. Including Asians, Irish, Jewish, Hispanics, Whites, and Italians, just like any "Ghetto".

It's a shame that when the news media decided to turn something into a story, they only speak of the black properties that's in the game. They always fail to mention cards and properties that are of other ethnicity. Remember, the game is called Ghettopoly not Blackopoly. The word black is not even mentioned anywhere in the game PERIOD.

I hope from this message some of you should know that I am not a racist person, but someone who decided to make a game that we all can enjoy and relate to. And what is so wrong with a game that not made by your everyday corporations.

When I play with a traditional board game with my friends, it simply does not appeal to me much. To your dismay, Hip Hop Culture is what I gravitate towards, so naturally when I decided to make a game, I want to give it an urban edge.

Stereotypes are everywhere, when you flip to MTV or BET you do not often see the same images and lyrics, rappers rapping about sipping on 40's, pimping hoes, smoking the chronics, slinging crack rocks, wicked jump shots.

So with that said, I think before you pass judgment on my game, you should just see it for what it is. It is just a game. It's not so different from what's already out there in the entertainment media in America.

So if this game should be banned than there are tons of other forms of entertainments that also need to be banned. Just because you don't find this game funny and original, it does not give you the right to call me a racist or worst yet, try to ban it. However you do have every right not to buy it.

I also think that some of you, not all, who wrote and called me all those nasty names are simply mad because you didn't think of Ghettopoly first. I am sorry that my last name is of Asian decent, maybe if my last name was different, some of you might not be so harsh.

David Chang


P.S. For those of you who is concern in regards to my legal issues with the OPOLY people, please do a search for opoly in Ebay or any search engine you like. I think it will answer most of your questions.

For more interesting reading, please visit http://www.antimonopoly.com/the_full_story.html and http://inventors.about.com/library/weekly/aa121997.htm


David Chang and Ghettopoly: Proponents of Free Speech
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Originally posted by: MrChad
Originally posted by: ElFenix
the other ones probably pay a license fee.

this one probably dilutes the monopoly trademark
Click to expand...

I don't know. I've seen licensed Monopoly variations (Star Wars Monopoly, NASCAR Monopoly, etc.). There are also "college" Monopoly versions (at UMD we had "Terpopoly) that I am almost certain are not officially licensed.
Click to expand...

I'm pretty sure all of those pay license fees.
 
Originally posted by: MrChad
Text

DECEMBER 22--Justice Department lawyers are seeking judicial permission to destroy about 63,000 copies of the controversial "Ghettopoly" board game, which has been criticized as a racist takeoff on the classic "Monopoly." Earlier this year, Customs and Border Protection agents in Tacoma, Washington seized five separate containers filled with "Ghettopoly" from a ship that had arrived from China. According to the below forfeiture request, the board games were seized by federal agents because they violated a trademark held by Hasbro, which produces "Monopoly." The knockoff game, which retails for $39.95, describes "elements of the game" as, "buying stolen properties, pimpin hoes, building crack houses and projects, paying protection fees and getting car jacked." In "Ghettopoly," players land on properties like Chico's Bodega and Smitty's XXX Peep Show, instead of Boardwalk or Marvin Gardens, and the game pieces include a pimp and a machine gun. When "Ghettopoly" debuted last year, black leaders nationwide decried it as racist and criticized game creator David Chang, who has defended his creation, saying it "draws on stereotypes not as a means to degrade, but as a medium to bring together in laughter." Hasbro, of course, did not get the joke and last October filed a federal copyright lawsuit, which is pending in U.S. District Court in Providence, Rhode Island. Chang has about 30 days to file a claim challenging Uncle Sam's bid to destroy the seized "Ghettopoly" stash, which has a street value of nearly $2.5 million. (5 pages)
Click to expand...

Other than the content, how is this game different from the countless other Monopoly rip-offs? What right does the Federal Government have to destroy this merchandise?
Click to expand...

Your linkage sucks.
 
Originally posted by: preslove
Originally posted by: MrChad
Text

DECEMBER 22--Justice Department lawyers are seeking judicial permission to destroy about 63,000 copies of the controversial "Ghettopoly" board game, which has been criticized as a racist takeoff on the classic "Monopoly." Earlier this year, Customs and Border Protection agents in Tacoma, Washington seized five separate containers filled with "Ghettopoly" from a ship that had arrived from China. According to the below forfeiture request, the board games were seized by federal agents because they violated a trademark held by Hasbro, which produces "Monopoly." The knockoff game, which retails for $39.95, describes "elements of the game" as, "buying stolen properties, pimpin hoes, building crack houses and projects, paying protection fees and getting car jacked." In "Ghettopoly," players land on properties like Chico's Bodega and Smitty's XXX Peep Show, instead of Boardwalk or Marvin Gardens, and the game pieces include a pimp and a machine gun. When "Ghettopoly" debuted last year, black leaders nationwide decried it as racist and criticized game creator David Chang, who has defended his creation, saying it "draws on stereotypes not as a means to degrade, but as a medium to bring together in laughter." Hasbro, of course, did not get the joke and last October filed a federal copyright lawsuit, which is pending in U.S. District Court in Providence, Rhode Island. Chang has about 30 days to file a claim challenging Uncle Sam's bid to destroy the seized "Ghettopoly" stash, which has a street value of nearly $2.5 million. (5 pages)
Click to expand...

Other than the content, how is this game different from the countless other Monopoly rip-offs? What right does the Federal Government have to destroy this merchandise?
Click to expand...

Your linkage sucks.
Click to expand...

😕
 
It's just the copyright holder protecting their interests. They would, and have, taken steps to squash all unauthorized -opoly type games. They aren't singling out just this one.
 
Originally posted by: kranky
It's just the copyright holder protecting their interests. They would, and have, taken steps to squash all unauthorized -opoly type games. They aren't singling out just this one.
Click to expand...

you got it right. it has nothing to do with racism.

OMG!!! A BLACK MAN MIGHT BE OFFENDED!!! OFF WITH THE HEADS OF THE GAME MAKERS!!!
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dumbass
 
I saw the website for this game awhile back and laughed but didn't plan to buy it. Now that it is about to be eliminated, it might be fun to buy it before it dissapears.
 
Originally posted by: Jejunum
Originally posted by: kranky
It's just the copyright holder protecting their interests. They would, and have, taken steps to squash all unauthorized -opoly type games. They aren't singling out just this one.
Click to expand...

you got it right. it has nothing to do with racism.

OMG!!! A BLACK MAN MIGHT BE OFFENDED!!! OFF WITH THE HEADS OF THE GAME MAKERS!!!
Click to expand...
dumbass
Click to expand...

Yep. If it wasn't called "Ghettopoly", it might not be a target. Though then again it might because of the nature of the game itself.
 
Uhhhhh.. this is stupid. So you can't make a game called "Ghettopoly" but White Supremist can publish whatever they want? Oh yeah, I think it was called the First Amendment.

Edit: and whats the difference between this and all those Red-neck games you see?
 
Originally posted by: ironcrotch
Uhhhhh.. this is stupid. So you can't make a game called "Ghettopoly" but White Supremist can publish whatever they want? Oh yeah, I think it was called the First Amendment.

Edit: and whats the difference between this and all those Red-neck games you see?
Click to expand...

No crap.
 
Originally posted by: Schneider879
Originally posted by: ironcrotch
Uhhhhh.. this is stupid. So you can't make a game called "Ghettopoly" but White Supremist can publish whatever they want? Oh yeah, I think it was called the First Amendment.

Edit: and whats the difference between this and all those Red-neck games you see?
Click to expand...

No crap.
Click to expand...

There are reasons why companies get trademarks, copyrights and patents. This has nothing to do with the First Amendment, except that the First Amendment protects Hasbro's property rights. This is not a free speech issue.
 
Originally posted by: Jejunum
Originally posted by: kranky
It's just the copyright holder protecting their interests. They would, and have, taken steps to squash all unauthorized -opoly type games. They aren't singling out just this one.
Click to expand...

you got it right. it has nothing to do with racism.

OMG!!! A BLACK MAN MIGHT BE OFFENDED!!! OFF WITH THE HEADS OF THE GAME MAKERS!!!
Click to expand...
dumbass
Click to expand...

Bite me.

From the article:
When "Ghettopoly" debuted last year, black leaders nationwide decried it as racist and criticized game creator David Chang, who has defended his creation, saying it "draws on stereotypes not as a means to degrade, but as a medium to bring together in laughter."
Click to expand...

You really think if it wasn't for that they would target it?

Dumbass.
 
Originally posted by: DurocShark
Originally posted by: Jejunum
Originally posted by: kranky
It's just the copyright holder protecting their interests. They would, and have, taken steps to squash all unauthorized -opoly type games. They aren't singling out just this one.
Click to expand...

you got it right. it has nothing to do with racism.

OMG!!! A BLACK MAN MIGHT BE OFFENDED!!! OFF WITH THE HEADS OF THE GAME MAKERS!!!
Click to expand...
dumbass
Click to expand...

Bite me.

From the article:
When "Ghettopoly" debuted last year, black leaders nationwide decried it as racist and criticized game creator David Chang, who has defended his creation, saying it "draws on stereotypes not as a means to degrade, but as a medium to bring together in laughter."
Click to expand...

You really think if it wasn't for that they would target it?

Dumbass.
Click to expand...

corporate money talks in this country, not misguided ethics.
dumbass.

from the article:


According to the below forfeiture request, the board games were seized by federal agents because they violated a trademark held by Hasbro
Click to expand...
 
"You got yo whole neighborhood addicted to crack - College $50 from EACH PLAYER"

hahaha that is great! i want a copy. I have a copy of Simpsons Monopoly but I think that has the monopoly liscense to it, since it is called "Simpsons Monopoly"

EDIT:

lol whoops, i mean COLLECT as pointed out below 😛
 
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