Was nosing around and found this ... Jay-Z’s playing with us now. | FmI - Masonic Traveler Your thoughts ?
Nice clothing line, but I find it a little disturbing that he can use those symbols for a profit and not be a Mason himself. I thought there were laws in some areas preventing the use of those symbols by non-Masons.
The way I read it (Hodapp) we can't copyright the symbols of Masonry or we wouldn't have to worry about irregulars and things of that nature. As many times as he's denied being a FM and the fact that youtube has a billion videos dedicated to his Illumanati/FM ties makes me even more frustrated with this. It reeks of the Tom Delong o something from Blink 182 that we've talked about on here before. He even has a song with Rick Ross, who raps about the basic rap cliches & was outed to be a former prison guard not a thug, where Ross says he is and Jay-Z says no. AHHHHHHHH-grivation.
It's a shame. Copyrights seem to be implemented on just about everything else these days. One would think that our more distinct symbols would fall under intellectual property.
What he is doing is blatantly illegal in many places, including here in Wisconsin and there are many articles on the matter. THE SQUARE AND COMPASSES IMAGE IS A REGISTERED TRADEMARK Although examples of commercial use of the square and compasses, especially in the 1800s, are not unknown, the use was never widespread and it aroused little comment. For example, between 1810 and 1834 "Old Sheffield Razors" by Lummus were stamped with the masonic square and compasses.[1] The first cattle brand registered in the Montana territory in 1864 was the square and compasses used by the Poindexter and Orr Ranch. The Koch Industries, which still uses this brand, has donated one of their branding irons to the Grand Lodge of Montana.[2] When an American miller in the late 1800s attempted to use the square and compasses as a logo for his own brand of flour, a suit was brought against him. Although there was no trademark protection as such, the court found that the square and compasses was so clearly identified with Freemasonry that the miller was prohibited from using the symbol. The American Commissioner of Patents in 1872 ruled that the square and compasses emblem could not be used in any trademark or trade name for commercial purposes. [3] In 1880s Manchester, England there was a line of ginger beer sold by M Davies & Son with the bottles stamped with the square and compasses while at about the same time W.S. Haysworth sold Ye Old Fashioned Ginger Beer in Preston, also with a square and compasses trademark.[4] Those interested in further research will discover other commercial offerings, such as Master Mason Tobacco. More recently, it has been felt that regular Freemasonry should bolster its legal position. In 1992 the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania registered the square and compasses for their jurisdiction and the Masonic Service Association of North America sent a letter to all U.S. Grand Secretaries explaining that, as there is no U.S. masonic national authority, each Grand Lodge would have to register independently. Although Pennsylvania offered to assist other jurisdictions if they so desired, the MSA does not know how many have since registered.[5] According to the Grand Lodge of Michigan Constitutions and By-Laws, Art. XXXI, 4-31 Sec. 2, any non-mason that uses the names and emblems (square and compasses) can be taken to court under the Michigan Annotated Statutes 18.641-18.647, 18-661-18.665, 18.671-18.675 and 18.691-18.692. For those freemasons that misuse the names and emblems, it is considered an unmasonic crime. In 1994 the Grand Lodge of Idaho registered the square and compasses, restricting its use in that state. A special agreement with the Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Oregon, which warrants Prince Hall lodges in Idaho, permits them to use it also.[6] The Grand Lodge of Scotland also has a copyright in place for the square and compasses incorporating the letter G. On August 3, 1994 the Masonic Foundation of Ontario officially registered the Grand Lodge logo, the square and compasses with the letter G, with Consumer and Corporate Affairs, Canada, as published in Trade Marks Journal, Volume 41, Number 2075. [7] This restricted the usage of the mark in Canada to regular Grand Lodges. More recently, in 2001, the Grand Lodge of New Zealand has also seen the need to register the masons' mark. It is unclear exactly when it adopted the square and compasses emblem but there is another group—unrelated to regular Freemasonry—that has used the emblem for many years. The Chinese Freemasons is a benevolent society, or societies, developed by Chinese emigrants who arrived in North America during the California and British Columbia gold rushes in the mid-nineteenth century. It makes no claim to status as regular Freemasonry. Due to the insular nature of the Chinese community and the relative ignorance of regular Freemasonry as to their existence, the Chinese Freemasons have avoided any question of their right to use the emblem. Although there is no formal policy in the British Columbia and Yukon jurisdiction, in practice brethren are free to use the square and compasses for the promotion of Freemasonry. Commercial or business usage is prohibited. [8] -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1. Trademarks on Base-Metal Tableware. Eileen Woodhead. Published by Parks Canada, Ottawa: 1991; Goins' Encyclopedia of Cutlery Markings. John E. and Charlotte S. Goins. Self-published, Indiana: 1998. <http://www.uniclectica.com/misc/manuf.html>. 2. At Refreshment. S. M. L. Pollard, 2001. Also see Freemasonry Today, Winter 2003, p. 54, for a Spanish horse brand. 3. The Truth is Stranger than Fiction. Alphonse Cerza. Masonic Service Association: 1934. 4. Phoenixmasonry Masonic Museum. <http://www.phoenixmasonry.org/masonicmuseum/Ginger_Beer_Crock.htm>. 5. Masonic Service Association of North America. <http://www.msana.com> ; Proceedings Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania. 1993. 6. The North Carolina Mason Volume CXVIII, ed. Ric Carter, Washington, NC: September/October, 1994 vol. 2 No. 5. 7. Report of the Masonic Foundation of Ontario. Masonic Foundation of Ontario, Toronto, 1995. Source: <http://www.abrill.com/sunnyside/glformallogotype.htm>. 8. Strategic Plan of the Grand Lodge of New Zealand. Board of General Purposes on 22 August 2001: "2.5.2 Co-Freemasonry. This organization advertises frequently in a manner that could easily confuse people between them and the Craft. When Grand Lodge changed some of their advertising slogans, this group mirrored the changes. To counter this competitor Grand Lodge has registered the brand Freemasonry and registered the square and compasses as a logo. This group have been advised of this action and their response strongly suggests that they will no longer continue vigorously against the Craft." <Welcome to Freemasons NZ.
Do you think any legal issues will arise....or do you think those GL mentioned will just let it slide?
Until someone complains, I doubt anything will be done. Just look at all of the videos etc,. these guys are doing with Masonic symbols being flashed all over the place. Somebody needs to find out where this guy is selling this stuff from and let that GL know. That's where it will have to start. Anyone from California? Maybe they can get their GL to issue a cease and desist order. If you have questions or comments about DrJays.com, please write us at: DrJays.com 7720 Kenamar Court Suite C San Diego, CA 92121-2425
Why should this guy be any different from all the other hundreds or thousands of businesses that sell masonic items? I doubt any of the online stores have the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania's (or anyone elses) permission to sell S&C logo'd merchandise. (I know these places are marketing specifically to Masons and this other guy, Jay whatever, is not, but NOBODY verifies that the consumers of their wares are Masons)
I was going to bring up the other manufacturers that aren't Masons or Masonically related. I believe that Mr. Carter (Jay-Z's surname) resides and operates out of NY. Could this be someway to really mess with the people who claim he's a Mason. I've heard other rappers are Masons mostly from website a few from friends. Does the false reality they portray for the media make them undesireable men? Just a talking point.
I think you answered your own question! LOL My opinion is that their portrayal and profit mongering of being Freemason/Illuminati types gives us legitimate Freemasons a black eye. They have no concept of the fraternity nor do they care. It's about the 'gangsta' cash grabbing attitude. If it were otherwise, they wouldn't "portray" themselves in the fashion that they do. it's about the money plain and simple. Their fans buy the product they peddle because it makes them feel like they are part of some mysterious NWO group or some crap like that.
I agree when it comes to falsely association with the symbols of our Order. I was speaking to the content of the music they put out. I was talking to a friend who is a MS Brother and when he told me of some of the rappers I professed based off of lyrics I couldn't see letting them in. We talked back and forth and he presented some good ideas. I want to know what you guys think.
I think the way Jay-Z is using the is wrong, But copyrighting/trademarking the symbols I think will bring up the prices on masonic items like rings/jewlery and other stuff. Maybe copyright/trademark is a good thing. But displaying and marketing the symbols when not a Mason shouldnt be done. Wear do I get one of those shirts from the link Ashlar posted? It is a pretty nice looking shirt.
