Orange Order superhero Dan in copyright row
Saturday, 19 July 2008
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When the Orange Order unveiled a cartoon mascot last November, leaders of the organisation hoped their new superhero character, Diamond Dan, would help to transform the formerly sectarian image of the group into something more family and tourist friendly.
He featured on the Order's Christmas cards and was unveiled in full before last week's 12 July marches commemorating the Battle of the Boyne, with souvenir fridge magnets and notebooks.
But Dan appears to have fallen foul of copyright law.
Dan Bailey, a designer from Essex, posted a similar image on iStockphoto.com, one of the world's digital libraries, and its graphics cannot be used for commercial purposes without a licence.
Diamond Dan was created as part of the re-branding of Orangeism aimed at attracting tourists from abroad to participate in what has become known as "Orangefest".
Named after one of its founding members, Dan Winter, Diamond Dan - Diamond referring to the Institution's formation at the Diamond, Loughgall, in 1795 - began to spread the 'good word' of the Order in the run-up to the marching season.
Speaking at the character's unveiling earlier this year, Orange Order education officer David Scott said the character, developed to appeal to young people, was meant to represent the true values of the Order.
"Diamond Dan will be the kind of person who offers his seat on a crowded bus to an elderly lady. He won't drop litter and he will be keen on recycling" he said.
"He will also be committed to the Orange Order and to the Junior movement and will make efforts to know all he can about his history and culture."
The Order hopes to make its new mascot legal.
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@Graeme,
Some evidence - no smokescreen:
[From the Orange Order handbook]: "An Orangeman should... strenuously oppose the fatal errors and doctrines of the Church of Rome, and scrupulously avoid countenancing any act or ceremony of Popish Worship; he should by all lawful means, resist the ascendancy of that Church, it encroachments and the extension of its power..."
"Any member dishonoring the Institution by marrying a Roman Catholic shall be expelled; and every Member shall use his best endeavors to prevent and discountenance the marriage of Protestants with Roman Catholics..."
Perhaps makes it a little easier to understand why this 'important and serious' institution does not garner repect from all sides of the community.
Posted by stevedave | 04.08.08, 14:29 GMT
No orangemen do not take an oath of hatred against Catholics!!!! No longer fooled you have done what I predicted and not provided any evidence, just a smokescreen. A truth pill would maybe make you give the evidence which I requested but I wont hold my breath, dont be taking a redner now before you crawl back under your rock. Ill ask you again should protestants and catholics not have the right to be friends???
people in this country are trying to move on but its people such as you which are the real problem, get over yourself.
Posted by Graeme | 21.07.08, 11:49 GMT
Dear Graeme
the truth seems to be hurting you, old chap. I don't need to provide dates, etc. History has already done that. So just calm done, and take a truth pill.
Posted by no longer fooled | 21.07.08, 08:01 GMT
Are not orangemen required to take an anti catholic oath?
Posted by joe de vol | 21.07.08, 04:20 GMT
Please tell all of us what hurt the OO have caused to the Nationalist community, if you are truthful you will provide names, dates and evidence and not bitter little comments which are designed to stirr things up. Funny I always thought that the OO were a legal organisation unlike the IRA who slaughtered the Catholic and Protestant community but im sure that you will do your usual and avoid any hard hitting questions. I always laugh at brave little men like you.
Posted by Graeme | 21.07.08, 00:27 GMT
So why would I lie about having Catholic friends, are you advocating that persons of differing religious demoninations shouldnt mix? Im sure you are taking a "redner" as you put it as you have been exposed as a bitter little person. So as Im a protestant am I not allowed to have Catholic friends?
Posted by Graeme | 21.07.08, 00:23 GMT
The Orange Order was established to keep Catholics in their place and indoctrinate as many Protestants as possible to believe they are God's chosen people. It remains a sectarian organisation today by the nature of its own rules and regulations. No amount of incidental changes will make it acceptable to Catholics. It’s like suggesting the KKK might broaden their approach, rebrand as KKK-Fest and therefore appeal to African-Americans.
Oh and Rachel, I don't know how many times I'll state this in my lifetime but once more for record. Respect is a earned and built, to demand respect indicates you have little idea what the word means.
Posted by White Star | 20.07.08, 20:22 GMT
Yes Graeme you may indeed have Catholic friends, but should any of them marry or die you will not be attending the wedding or funeral. Makes your friendship a bit of a sham, doesn't it?
Posted by foxy | 20.07.08, 17:05 GMT
dear dean
wats wrong are you that one side that u cant imagion a protestant with catholic friends!! am a protestant and am friends with alot of catholics and work wioth alot as well. i see al people as equal and i dont judge them by there religion if there as nice to me i will be nice back! thats the way it should be. i completly back greame up in wat he commented to yourself. until you have lived in ni and witness day to day live here then u will never have a full understanding of the situation
Posted by rachel | 20.07.08, 16:10 GMT
i think it a great idea about try to make orangism more family friendly but we still need to remember that it is a important and serious institution. It should be respected by both side of the sectearian divide.
Posted by rachel | 20.07.08, 15:02 GMT
Dear Graeme
I always have a good laugh when people such as yourself always seem to have Catholic friends at the right moment. I hope you're taking a reddner at those porkys of yours???
Posted by no longer fooled | 20.07.08, 12:35 GMT
Dean We march every year to comemerate the victory in 1690, I march and I have Catholic friends, what is the problem? I think to comment about a subject you need to have some understanding of the field, which you do not. You are from Preston, so your knowledge of NI is extremely limited and by the looks of it biased.
Posted by Graeme | 20.07.08, 00:26 GMT
I think its very positive that the Order are making changes like this to include every demographic. It will take time and hard work however a step in the right direction...Its all about making forward moving positive steps....Well Done.
Posted by J | 19.07.08, 23:56 GMT
Fond memories of the 12th when I was growing up in Antrim. It is a wonderful, colourful spectacle. Tourists - Why not?
But, it is imperative that Republicans stop attacking the Orange parades and start to hold out the hand of friendship to their Protestant neighbours. The people of Ireland north and south don't want their aggression any more. Time to live in peace.
Posted by PC | 19.07.08, 23:34 GMT
well, see the thing is over here in canada no one gives a rats ass. and the whole thing looks pretty silly. i say get over the issues move on and live where you want and talk to god how ever you want.
Posted by r | 19.07.08, 16:20 GMT
one would think that as the catholic and nationalist community would be glad that the protestant community are not causing even more hurt to them as they are still stoning buses and throwing petrol bombs during the marching season
Posted by onetobetalking | 19.07.08, 13:44 GMT
One would think the orange order should be reaching out to the Catholic and Nationalist community for all the hurt they have caused these communities instead of some cardboard propaganda aimed at tourists.
Posted by No longer fooled | 19.07.08, 11:59 GMT