TCS wants to prosecute Bastien Girod for advertising parody
The Young Greens parodied a TCS advertising motif for the off-roader initiative. Now the Touring Club is calling for Girod's parliamentary immunity to be lifted so that he can be prosecuted for the "illegal use of the original work".
The Touring Club Switzerland TCS is stepping up the pace in its dispute with the Young Greens and National Councillor Bastien Girod and is demanding that the 27-year-old National Councillor's parliamentary immunity be lifted. The background to this demand is a political advertisement for the Young Greens' off-roader initiative, which parodies a TCS advertisement. Among other things, it shows Girod with his arms crossed and a "tattooed" prohibition sign for off-road vehicles on his right upper arm. People on TCS advertising posters adopt the same pose, but with a tattooed club logo. The slogan "lifelong human" has become "lifelong against off-roaders". The TCS accuses the Zurich
of illegal "use of the original work". He is infringing copyrights with his campaign. As reported by the Sonntagszeitung newspaper, the affair caused hilarity in the National Council's Legal Affairs Committee. Apparently, the public prosecutor did not take the matter very seriously either and suspended the proceedings for the time being, which have now been resumed due to an appeal. The TCS, not exactly known for its sense of humor, is demanding the withdrawal of the subjects in question. Girod sees this as harassment. He is of the opinion that a parody campaign should be possible in a political debate.
