A brand new AFL crew has uncovered a stunning reality behind an iconic nationwide image.
The first Tasmanian AFL membership was given the inexperienced mild by the opposite 18 membership presidents on Tuesday to hitch the competitors someday within the subsequent decade.
The membership has beforehand teased naming the newly accredited crew the “Tasmanian Devils” after the endangered species native to the southernmost state.
However, it has come to understand the identify is already trademarked by Warner Bros, the Hollywood studio behind The Looney Tunes cartoons.
Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong mentioned she was “shocked” by the invention and would see “what we can do” to reclaim the nationwide icon.
“I have to say like most Australians I was pretty shocked to realise that Tassie devils was not a name that we had the rights over,” she informed 2GB radio station on Wednesday.
She dominated out chatting with US President Joe Biden concerning the matter – saying he seemingly has “no control” over the Warner Bros business.
However, she did see the worth in returning the identify to the Australian public.
“I think most Australians would think that Tasmanian devils was something that we could use,” she mentioned.
“We’ll see what we can do.”
“Tas the Tasmanian devil” has been a fan favorite of the Warner Bros cartoon sequence since he first premiered on the present virtually 70 years in the past.
However, it wasn’t till 1997 that Warner Bros trademarked the character – successfully eradicating the possibility for any Australian business to make use of the title of their branding.
AFL chief govt Andrew Dillon agreed the identify needs to be utilized by the individuals of Tasmania.
“I am not across that one, but I do know there is something with Warner Bros, but (I am) not 100 per cent across that one,” he informed SEN radio on Tuesday.
“I have got an absolutely open mind, the name of the Tasmanian team should be owned by the people of Tasmania.”
Tasmania’s under-18 aspect within the Coates Talent League has trademarked the identify via the Australian authorities, however it’s understood the brand new crew would require a business licence.
The newly accredited crew will seemingly take the sphere through the 2028 season, so there’s loads of time for the a deal to be made with the film large.
Source: www.news.com.au
