Change of Name for Camp Rivendell
Since 2004 Bragg Creek Community Association has operated a day camp in Redwood Meadows. At Camp Rivendell the children were organized into age groups of hobbits, elves and dwarfs. However, after receiving a letter from solicitors acting for the estate of JRR Tolkien, they have had to change their name — the alternative was facing legal action! You can read more here and here.
5 Comments
I’m sorry but I think this is getting ridiculous. Why keep stopping people from doing these kinds of things when they obviously enjoy the books? They’re not hurting Tolkien Estates so why bother?
I agree with Starofdudenain. This reminds me of when J.K.Rowling – or the people around her – denied a home for orphaned children arranging a HP-themed play in the establishment :/ I wish there was an exception in the copyright law for children’s activities. I believe if JRRT himself were alive, he would have permitted this.
How unecessary. I agree with both of you. There was no need for them to have to change their name. Didn’t hurt anyone, least of all the Tolkien estate –think of the fans the kids would have become.
The problem is that the Tolkien Estate is legally obliged to defend any use of its trademarks that are brought to its attention, or else a court could rule that they lose their right to said trademark entirely (which I’m sure they’re not too keen on). I’m not sure if they’ve trademarked “Rivendell,” but I do know that they’ve trademarked the word “Hobbit.”
That’s riduclous those fun suckers are doing it because of copy right reasons. I believe Tolkien created the world of Middle Earth for fans to enjoy it, why can’t we use it to incorporate into childern’s activities to make it funner when they have to come and ruin it what’s next?are they going to file a suit for people named after Tolkein’s characters?