A butcher has been told to take down a sign showing five sausage rings in the shape of the Olympic logo. Olympic officials have told Dennis Spurr, from the Fantastic Sausage Factory in Weymouth, Dorset, the international logo is "protected".Mr Spurr has been given two verbal warnings but refuses to comply. He put up the vinyl sign, which he said is just a "bit of fun", a year ago. The Olympic sailing events will be held in Weymouth and Portland in 2012.
"I have been told twice by someone from a local committee that it's been reported to London, and if I don't take it down soon I could get into a lot of trouble," he said.
"I can't see the need to take it down - it is just a bit of fun to make people smile. It is so inoffensive and it is promoting the sailing events here in Weymouth. Lots of local people don't even know it's happening here yet."
The shop on St Mary's Street is just a short walk from the shore where thousands of spectators will gather in five years' time to watch the events in Weymouth Bay. Mr Spurr is popular for his creative sausages such as the Tom Jones sausage - made of pork and leek and the Beckham - made of pork and "posh spices".
"If the Olympic committee wants to come down here to talk about it I will put on a barbeque for them," Mr Spurr added.
It is understood Olympic officials could use copyright laws to sue Mr Spurr unless he removes the sign.
Some of the Fantastic Sausage Factory's customers have offered to start a petition in protest.
1 comment:
The crackdown in this case is understandable. He's using the logo to boost business in conjunction with the Olympics. There are businesses, however, who have had Olympic-themed names for many years (before they even knew the Olympics were coming) who are being forced to change. It all gets a bit ridiculous.
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