Calling last week's hoax by the Yes Men "nothing less than commercial identity theft masquerading as social activism," the Chamber of Commerce is suing the prankster group and its allies for trademark infringement, unfair competition and false advertising, reports Mother Jones.
The Yes Men -- actors Jacques Servin and Igor Vamos (who also use the names Andy Bichlbaum and Mike Bonanno, respectively), last week held a fake press conference in Washington DC, along with activists from the Avaaz Action Factory, in which they impersonated Chamber executives and announced that the group had shifted its opposition to real efforts at tackling global warming. A press release announcing the event fooled Reuters and other news outlets into reporting that the Chamber had changed its stance.
The Chamber's complaint charges that the stunt was an effort to promote the new Yes Men movie, The Yes Men Fix The World.
In the wake of the prank, the Chamber said it would be asking "law enforcement authorities to investigate." That suggestion of a criminal probe doesn't seem to have materialized. But the Chamber may still get its day in court.

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tiowally
October 27, 2009 10:16 AM
I suspect that if this was a reasonable legal tactic Dow Chemical would've pursued it long ago. Moreover, such a lawsuit would no doubt have the unintended consequence of raising the profile of this disgusting organization.
If they do decide to forge ahead I hope the CoC will consider retaining the services of Orly Taitz. She is still licensed to practice law and her services would be fit hand-in-glove.
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Johann
October 27, 2009 10:18 AM
So, now people can get sued for pointing out how ridiculous a ridiculous stance by a corporate shill really is?
Where does "Freedom of Speech" enter this equation?
Is it no longer legal to point out stupidity when it is so blatant?
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tiowally
October 27, 2009 10:19 AM in reply to Johann
Couldn't the Yes Men use a "perfomance art" defence?
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Richardxx
October 27, 2009 11:59 AM in reply to Johann
I'm no attorney, but this looks a lot like a SLAPP suit to me. The purpose of such a lawsuit is not to win the suit, but to force the persons who criticized the corporation to run up a lot of expensive lawyer's bills.
It's primarily an intimidation technique to keep others from doing something similar and to prevent the Yes Men from repeating it.
Since I am not an attorney, I have no idea how the courts deal with such lawsuits these days, but I'd think they will kick it out. It will still have served it's purpose, since the fact that the suit goes nowhere will not get the publicity that bringing the lawsuit and publicizing that fact is getting right now.
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tchamp77
October 28, 2009 12:02 AM in reply to Richardxx
Question: Are you an attorney?
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AmericanDad
October 27, 2009 10:40 AM
Does the Chamber not know that this transparent fraud makes them look even more lame? The Yes Men group is defined as, operates as and is know as a political entity using satire and theater to make its point -- and NOT a business selling anything -- so the Chamber has no basis for its claim. Both logic and the First Amendment will protect the Yes Men from this lame attack. But what will protect the Chamber from itself?
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JEP07
October 27, 2009 10:55 AM in reply to AmericanDad
"Does the Chamber not know that this transparent fraud makes them look even more lame?"
Hubris has never been better represented than it is in this current Chamber or Horrors. These are the pernicious "them" that We, The People, have always alluded to without knowing exactly of whom we speak, when we talk about "Them v. Us."
And if they can't win in court, they will hire some new congresspeople to pass laws that protect them from the free speech of parody, just one more indulgence that their corporations will get at the expense of the common citizens who our constitution was written to uplift.
Now, with our Bush-generated Corporate Protector Supreme Court installed, we will see those indulgences upheld in court every time.
The only way to prevent them from it is to elect people who will not succumb to the money magnet powered by these magnates.
Electing them will be easy. FINDING all those honest Mr. Smiths to replace the money-hungry misfits who now sit in our highest Legislative and Congressional seats is the problem.
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Cool Blue Reason
October 27, 2009 11:30 AM in reply to AmericanDad
I agree with you, generally, but The Yes Men do sell films of their antics. And the Chamber could conceivably be economically damaged by additional members leaving.
I have no idea if this would actually help the Chamber's complaint pass legal muster, but I thought it was worth pointing out.
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RAM
October 27, 2009 10:47 AM
I’m waiting for Limbaugh, Beck, O’Reily, and the rest to complain the Chamber has no sense of humor, just like they complain when they’re called out for their racist, homophobic, sexist rants...Still waiting...Anyone? Anyone?
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johnbwarner
October 27, 2009 11:07 AM in reply to RAM
Of course. And if W had won the Nobel his first year in office, Beck, Limbo et al. would have roundly mocked him and demanded he return it, right? Not bloody likely.
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Jaycal
October 27, 2009 11:08 AM in reply to RAM
I thought the "unfair competition" charge showed the Chamber has a sense of humor... intended or not.
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Vermont Devil
October 27, 2009 11:16 AM
The eyes on that guy in the picture is creepy. Both seem to be drifting apart the longer you look.
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tiowally
October 27, 2009 11:33 AM in reply to Vermont Devil
Reminds me of the late über-scum and longtime brain policeman Jack Valenti.
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agio
October 27, 2009 12:14 PM in reply to Vermont Devil
Daily bathing in virgin blood will do that to ya.
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SporeTen
October 27, 2009 11:47 PM in reply to Vermont Devil
He reminds me of the Head Nazi (Henry Gibson) in 'Blues Brothers'.
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jsfox
October 27, 2009 11:22 AM
So let me see if I've got this. The Chamber doesn't get climate change and now they let us know they don't get satire and think it's a offense for which one can bring a lawsuit. Remind me again why some people think these guys are smart?
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The Commenter Formerly Known as NCSteve
October 27, 2009 11:38 AM
I predict this will be every bit the brilliant legal and public relations success that Fox's lawsuit against Al Franken was.
You know, the where Fox launched a bombastic complaint and great fanfare then dropped three days after the preliminary injunction ruling where the judge describedthe lawsuit as "wholly without merit factually and legally."
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sharonsj
October 27, 2009 11:56 AM
Legally, satire is protected speech. So I don't see the lawsuit gaining traction. But it will get the Chamber a lot of unwanted publicity it probably deserves.
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Mr.E.
October 27, 2009 12:01 PM
Gotta hand it to the Yes Men. First they fool everybody by playing Chamber fools, and the prat was so good that they do it again with the same ruse and sue themselves, gaining further notoriety.
What, it's not as funny when you dupe the dupes into giving you a forum for further grandstanding? I can't wait to see all the motions and declarations they get to file that will get national attention and point the spotlight on all the absurd CoC actions and beliefs.
CoC should settle now, by paying the Yes Men anything they want.
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Mr.E.
October 27, 2009 12:02 PM
Gotta hand it to the Yes Men. First they fool everybody by playing Chamber fools, and the prat was so good that they do it again with the same ruse and sue themselves, gaining further notoriety.
What, it's not as funny when you dupe the dupes into giving you a forum for further grandstanding? I can't wait to see all the motions and declarations they get to file that will get national attention and point the spotlight on all the absurd CoC actions and beliefs.
CoC should try to settle now, by paying the Yes Men as much as they can.
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steve3443
October 27, 2009 12:46 PM
Yes Man Mike B attended the screening of their film in New Orleans a couple weeks ago during the New Orleans Film Festival. He answered questions from the audience after the movie and one person asked about law suits and if they were concerned about being sued. His response was that he welcomed it as it will help keep the issues of which they're trying to bring to national attention in the media spotlight longer. He noted a law suit in the UK where McDonalds was suing someone and it brought about a lot of negative publicity towards McDonalds. I assume both Yes Men welcome this legal challenge as it may help to publicize just the issues that they were trying to bring to national attention to in the first place.
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Gee
October 27, 2009 12:48 PM
Call the waaaaaaahmbulance!
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lemecdutex
October 27, 2009 12:57 PM
They (the Chamber) do realize that satire is protected speech? I doubt if they have a case, except one to make themselves look like crybabies.
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midnight rambler
October 28, 2009 6:05 AM in reply to lemecdutex
I highly doubt it. More likely they're unfamiliar with the entire concept of satire.
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Joe Markowitz
October 27, 2009 1:18 PM
I saw the Yes Men answering questions at a screening of their new film earlier this year. One of the questions they were asked was whether they ever got sued. They said no, but they would welcome such suits. Remember, they single-handedly caused the share price of Dow Chemical to plummet by something like a billion dollars, but were not sued for impersonating a Dow Chemical spokesman. A lawsuit by the Chamber of Commerce will only draw more attention to their stunt, which I'm sure they will appreciate because the whole point of what they are doing is to call attention to the Chamber's position on global warming. So my guess is that they are saying to the Chamber of Commerce, "Bring it on!"
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Chabuka
October 27, 2009 1:19 PM
Why can't/don't "we the people" sue the Chamber of Commerce..for "alienation of affection"...luring our own government away from us, (away from "the people") with bribes, candy and promises of high paying jobs, (in case the politicians get caught and then fired)..(AKA "campaign donations")
Oh yeah I forgot..U.S.A.G. Eric Holder..one of the original Chamber of Commerce's "Yes Men"
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madmatt
October 27, 2009 2:29 PM
These are the same Morons who turned Al Frankens Lieing Liars into a #1 book! Keep up the good work Chamber!
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leoklein
October 27, 2009 11:22 PM
This proves that the Chamber of Commerce is nothing but a front organization for the trial lawyers!
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Aatos
October 27, 2009 11:50 PM
The Yes Men probably have plenty of attorneys lined up already, waiting for their shot at a national reputation.
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Women Speak Out On Palin
October 28, 2009 9:45 AM
Speaking of hilarious lawsuits, have you seen this:
Schoolteacher Robt Seda-Schreiber has served right-wing talk show host of "The Colbert Report" Stephen Colbert with a legal writ of replevin demanding the return of Captain America's shield, considering that he's now returned from the dead.
Funny stuff indeed.
Check it here:
http://sweetestbaboon.blogspot.com/
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romath
October 28, 2009 2:06 PM
Has someone actually seen the lawsuit or a CCC statement about it? The initial new report said it was filed in federal court on Sunday, which seemed odd, since presumably the offices were closed that day. I'm wondering if the suit story isn't a parody, too.
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