Opera House stand-off continues

Opera House stand-off continues

The Harbour City Bears (HCB) will explain why they should be able to retain their current logo to the Sydney Opera House Trust on March 8, while the Mature Aged Gays (MAG) group has agreed to change its logo after the Opera House contacted them.

MAG has been granted a grace period to use its current logo, in which the letters ‘MAG’ form the silhouette of the Opera House, until after the 2012 Mardi Gras season, but the Bears are standing their ground.

HCB president Jonny Bastin (pictured) told the Star Observer they had received advice that their logo already contained enough additional elements.

“We’ve already written back, stating that we believe that the HCB logo already meets the conditions of acceptable brand use of the Sydney Opera House’s image because the Opera House image isn’t the sole image in our logo,” Bastin said.

“We also have the harbour in our logo, which reflects the name of HCB. We also have the Opera House in rainbow flag colours which is obviously a symbol of gay pride and we have the Bear paw in our logo which is a symbol of the Bear community.”

HCB also asked Sydney MP Clover Moore to bring the matter to the attention of NSW Arts Minister George Souris.

“I have asked the Arts Minister to review this request, given these are non-profit community groups that have been using stylised images of Sydney icons for some years, and they do not present themselves as having any connection or endorsement from the Opera House Trust,” Moore told the Star Observer.

However, the Star Observer understands that Souris will not be acting on the matter. A spokesman said that, while the minister appoints the Sydney Opera House Trust board, it is an independent body and not under his purview.

A range of Sydney LGBTI sporting groups are also believed to have been contacted by the Opera House’s legal counsel regarding their logos. Team Sydney have asked affected groups to contact them so they can present a united front.

The Star Observer understands that the Opera House contacted the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras (SGLMG) last year. However, as its logo is a registered trademark, the Opera House agreed to respect SGLMG’s right to use it.

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7 responses to “Opera House stand-off continues”

  1. It us up to the Trust to come with a unique logo, not copy the silhouette and say they own it. What tosh a small community support group is expected to come up with the millions to fight this or be forbidden for using an image of a public building.

    I want equal rights, not legal action against some and not others. The silhoutte is used by thousands of businesses and religous institutions. Sound like discrimination when this group gets nasty legal threats? You bet!

  2. It is appalling to accuse the Opera House of targetting groups based on their sexuality.

    The SOH is an incredibly supportive place for gays and lesbians to work in. The accusation of homophobia is juvenile and embarrassing.

    Clearly, they are entitled to protect their trademark. And if other groups have managed to get around this issue, HCB should follow their lead.

    I want equal rights, not special rights!

  3. The Trust needs to remind itself of the city in which the House stands.
    The House belongs to all people.
    The Trust needs to pull its pretentious homophobic head out of its arse.

  4. I think the targeting of groups based on their sexuality is simply abhorrent.

    I am appalled the Liberal/National Party is using tax payer funds, to crush small community support groups based on the sexuality of those involved.

  5. I wonder if the Swans will be allowed to keep using it? Business Events Sydney? Sydney Kings? All feature stylised versions of the Opera House and the Opera House alone.

  6. There is a serious issue of social justice here. For example, the Trustees of the Sydney Opera House are not elected in democratic elections such as the State Government or Council. Who said the Trust owns the image of the Opera House? I find this an extraordinary proposition that the public no longer owns the image of a public building they paid for, but 8 people on the board of the Trust. What about the public who paid for the building?

    It seems to me when sending out legal threats; the Trust is selective to punish GLBTI groups, not the Catholic Church, and not those selling Chinese made goods with the skyline of the Opera House.

    Catholic World Youth Day is free to use the icon of the Opera House in their graphics without legal threats or intimidation from the Trust, in a never ending profit scheme for the Catholic Church. They could use it on crosses, on cups, on shirts, on hats, and more. I would hardly be surprised if they used it on Vatican Prince Alberts! See http://blogs.ucanews.com/give-us-this-day/2011/11/07/the-event-that-turned-into-world-youth-runawayday/

  7. So Chinese made towels and ash trays can use the icon, but not a not for profit group of locals who use it with pride?