What a combination! The National Pork Board has forced The Lactivist to stop selling it’s “the other white milk” t-shirt that promoted breastfeeding. Apparently they’re concerned people will confuse this with their ad campaigns. Guess they’ve never heard of parody.

I first read about this over on Shoemoney’s blog. He included the contact information for the Pork Board on his post, and it’s on the post at Lactivist as well.

This is just plain nuts. That CafePress removed it evey before Jennifer Laycock, the Lactivist’s owner, even heard there was a problem doesn’t surprise me. They do have to protect themselves.

But apparently lawyers are even more clueless about reality than I thought. Take a look at this quote from their cease and desist letter:

In addition, your use of this slogan also tarnishes the good reputation of the National Pork Board’s mark in light of your apparent attempt to promote the use of breastmilk beyond merely for infant consumption

Um, yeah. She’s trying to promote breastmilk as a drink for others. Sure, guys. Care to try to think things through a little more carefully?

I suspect they’re going to find that this issue does more “damage” to their name than just letting the shirt be. Most people get the joke, after all, I think, and they’re not going to be repulsed by pork just due to some association with a humorous t-shirt referring to breastfeeding.

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