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A group of white supremacists is being threatened with legal action after using the Buy New Zealand Made logo to promote their views.
The logo, featuring a kiwi bird and the words “New Zealand Made” in a colored triangle, is a registered trademark of the Wellington-based Buy New Zealand Made campaign promoting locally made products.
Local manufacturers pay an annual fee to display the licensed trademark.
On Wednesday, the far-right group Action Zealandia updated its website to include a list of companies that its supporters could buy from to “support locally.”
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A link to the list, which includes TSB, Kiwibank and Whittaker, among dozens of others, was then tweeted from the organization’s account, illustrated with the Buy New Zealand Made logo.
SCREENSHOT
White supremacist group Action Zealandia is being threatened with legal action after using the Buy New Zealand Made logo on its website without permission.
“As nationalists, it is vital to help create a stronger society. One way to do this is to support products that are made in New Zealand,” the tweet read.
“This index is something we have created that exists as a resource for people to buy products made in New Zealand.”
Action Zealandia describes itself as “a movement of young nationalists dedicated to the revitalization of our people, culture, environment and community.”
Last year, a member of the group was arrested in connection with a terrorist threat against Masjid Al-Noor in Christchurch.
In response to the tweet, the Buy New Zealand Made campaign rejected the organization’s use of the trademark, which also appears on a banner accompanying the list, saying that unauthorized use may be subject to legal action.
“Any further illegal use of this trademark by Action Zealandia will be prosecuted. We are committed to equality and inclusion and reject racism or white supremacy in any form by any person or group. “
But in a follow-up tweet, Action Zealandia said it had no trademark infringements and that it will not make any changes or “be intimidated by empty threats.
In a statement Monday, Buy New Zealand Made CEO Ryan Jennings said the campaign condemns racism or white supremacy “in any form by any group or individual.”
A complaint had been received about the unauthorized use of the trademark by Action Zealandia.
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Ryan Jennings, executive director of the Buy NZ Made campaign, says he condemns racism or white supremacy “in any form” (file photo).
“Trademark infringements are identified and rigorously enforced to protect the rights of licensees and the reputation of the New Zealand brand,” Jennings said.
“We have communicated to the organization that they have not been granted a license to use the Kiwi trademark and they risk taking legal action if they continue to display it.”
Under New Zealand law, owners of intellectual property rights, including trademarks, can take civil action in response to an alleged infringement.
The Copyright Act 1994 and the Trademark Act 2002 also contain a number of offenses, including copyright infringement and trademark counterfeiting.
The conviction can result in up to five years in prison or a fine of up to $ 150,000.
Several companies included in Action Zealandia’s list have also moved to distance themselves from the group.
In a statement, Kiwibank said that it is an advocate for inclusion and diversity and that it is not affiliated with Action Zealandia in any way.
“Clearly, their views are not aligned with our purpose and values. We have asked for the reference to Kiwibank to be removed from their website, so far it has been rejected, ”he said.
“We continue to explore our options, including a formal cease and desist notice.”
TSB said that it supports all members of the New Zealand community and that the views shared by Action Zealandia do not represent the bank.
He had not given his consent to join the organization and had contacted the website to request that it be removed immediately.
In a tweet on Monday, underwear brand Thunderpants said Action Zealandia “are the antithesis of everything that we consider to be our core beliefs and we are angry that they thought it might be okay to align with their views.”
The company had requested to be removed from the page immediately.
