[Infowarrior] - Pope copyrights himself

[Richard Forno]

Holy See declares unique copyright on Papal figure
http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/utiles/myprint/print.php
Vatican City, Dec 19, 2009 / 12:23 pm (CNA).- The Vatican made a  
declaration on the protection of the figure of the Pope on Saturday  
morning.  The statement seeks to establish and safeguard the name,  
image and any symbols of the Pope as being expressly for official use  
of the Holy See unless otherwise authorized.

The statement cited a "great increase of affection and esteem for the  
person of the Holy Father" in recent years as contributing to a desire  
to use the Pontiff's name for all manner of educational and cultural  
institutions, civic groups and foundations.

Due to this demand, the Vatican has felt it necessary to declare that  
"it alone has the right to ensure the respect due to the Successors of  
Peter, and therefore, to protect the figure and personal identity of  
the Pope from the unauthorized use of his name and/or the papal coat  
of arms for ends and activities which have little or nothing to do  
with the Catholic Church."

The declaration alludes to attempts to use ecclesiastical or  
pontifical symbols and logos to "attribute credibility and authority  
to initiatives" as another reason to establish their “copyright” on  
the Holy Father's name, picture and coat of arms.

"Consequently, the use of anything referring directly to the person or  
office of the Supreme Pontiff... and/or the use of the title  
'Pontifical,' must receive previous and express authorization from the  
Holy See," concluded the message released to the press.

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