A worldwide community – a subculture, some might say – grew up around the IKEA stores. They call themselves IKEAhackers, and they love to create and share great ideas for repurposing all kinds of items you find in an IKEA store, into something else. It’s a good example of how the internet can amplify the solo experience of “Hey, I bet I could take this and make a …” into a movement. It solidified around the blog ikeahackers.net.
If you haven’t seen these creations, they are wonderful, inspiring, frugal, beautiful – all good things.
But recently, IKEA moved to protect their trademark, and sent a cease-and-desist letter to ikeahackers.net, sending shockwaves through the community. Shouldn’t they be delighted at the creativity, the energy, the free showcase? Why? (See the original article, below, for IKEA’s explanation to the Washington Post.)
IKEA’s response is quite informative, and reveals a side of the matter that the general public may not understand. Recommended reading.
Of course, this is easily cast as “corporate giant vs. the little guy” and some will only see it in those terms. Whether you are the Goliath or the David, if you are operating in the public square, you need to understand, or have an advisor who can advise you on, intellectual property rights.