Flippant balaclava use was cited as bringing the IRA brand into disrepute. Photo by sarahemcc Some Rights Reserved
Members of the IRA are planning to sue Republican paramilitary groups for copyright infringement, writes Crispin Fisher.
The disbanded group’s still operational army command claim they have spent over 40 years building up their name with a series of explosive publicity stunts.
And they believe groups such as the Real IRA and Continuity IRA are flouting their brand.
They say the flippant use of comedy balaclavas is just one of a string of activities which is bringing the IRA name into disrepute.
In order to secure exclusive rights to the IRA name, officials say they have engaged a top team of legal eagles.
“We’ve brought in the guys who cleared up a similar mess over Bucks Fizz’ name,” said an IRA silhouette with a mouth.
“The row between former Fizzers Bobby G and David Van Day was a stinker. But our lot were on Bobby G’s winning side.
“We’re hoping for the same outcome here, minus the velcro skirts.”
While the IRA is mainly remembered for carrying out terrorist atrocities, the group has earned substantial royalties from movie companies after featuring in a string of Hollywood blockbusters.
The army council feels that groups infringing their copyright could seriously damage their credibility and future earnings from book, film and merchandising deals.
In a message using cut-out letters from tabloid newspapers a surprisingly succint member of the Real IRA told The News Grind: “The IRA should have stuck to semtex, not semantics.”
UPDATE: Painters the Surreal IRA and online gaming group the Unreal IRA are also being targeted by Republican lawyers. More follows.
> Photo by sarahemcc Some Rights Reserved
