Royal Canadian Mint suing Toronto

[Basher]

If you're wondering when one cent equals $47, 680, here is your answer:

Success of Toronto's "One Cent of the GST NOW!" education campaign brings request for payment from the federal government

"A weird intersection of copyright/trademark with politics is playing out in Canada. Short background: various Canadian cities and municipalities have launched a publicity/lobbying campaign seeking a fixed take from the GST (Goods and Services Tax, a national Canadian sales tax similar to European VAT). The amount sought is 1 cent for each dollar of the purchase price. This is summarized by the slogan 'One Cent of the GST NOW.'

According to a press release, the Royal Canadian Mint (the federal agency that prints Canadian paper currency and stamps Canadian coins) has demanded from the City of Toronto $47,680 in royalties for use of the phrase 'one cent', and the image of the Canadian penny. $10,000 covers the use of the words 'one cent' in the campaign website address (www.onecentnow.ca) and email address (onecentnow@toronto.ca). An additional $10,000 is demanded for the use of these words in the campaign phone number (416-ONE-CENT). The remaining $27,680 covers the use of the image of the Canadian penny in printed materials such as pins and posters."

[bouche]

As silly as it seems, if the Mint really does own the rights to One Cent then aren't they obligated to protect their copyright?

[Northern Wish]

My next door neighbour growing up was an artist and responsible for the creation of the artwork for the toonie.

He got a one time fee for the sitting, and makes a royalty on every toonie they produce.

They must have made loads of them, because he keeps buying boats, sea doos and SUVs.

Sean