Knockoff Science

Regular readers know that while we take a relaxed and even–at times–positive view toward copying in the copyright and patent contexts, there are lots of hard cases. Many of those revolve around trademark copying, where the need to balance the freedom to compete, comment and parody and so forth against the risk of consumer confusion makes for difficult line-drawing exercises.

Here is a good example: the CATO Institute, a libertarian think tank in DC that is often pretty smart and reasonable, seems to be either spoofing the government or deliberately trying to confuse the media (and others). Its recent report on climate change mimics the cover and layout of an official federal report, only of course it a product of a private organization with a specific view (one I tend to disagree with pretty strongly) on this particular issue. Judge for yourself from the covers above. For more see the story at Wonkette.