The reason is the lack of a legal regulation
As it is known, the “Forget-Me-Not” symbol is elaborated in the series of events dedicated to Centennial of the Armenian Genocide. Now, the badge with this symbol mainly can be seen pinned on the breast of the government officials and public figures. There is a warning in the website elaborated for coordinating the events of the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, which says, the symbol of “Forget-Me-Not” is protected under copyright laws in Armenia and abroad. The exclusive right to use thereof pertains to the general directors coordinating the events for commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. The organizations or individual entrepreneurs who wish to use the “Forget-Me-Not” for souvenir production, should apply by the phone 010 530062 or send an email to the following email address: [email protected]”.
Despite the warning, calls continue to receiving that production of different goods is organized with the logo of the forget-me-not. Social networks are full of such statements that a variety of products with this logo are sold, including key rings, or the “Forget-Me-Not” badge is sold at the social networks at 3500 AMD. Lawyer, historian, diplomat and Director of “Modus Vivendi” Center Ara Papyan, in the conversation with “Aravot”, expressed his concern that an “indecent situation” has been created and detailed, “Some people and groups of people have started to make money on this human tragedy and suffering memory. One can have different signs in memory of commemoration, even selling, but it should be distinc and transparent, we need to know who is selling and where is this money going?”
According to Ara Papyan, now, we are witnessing in the Armenian reality the phenomenon of “Holocaust production” when the tragedy turns into a production and income. “How will you treat the person who makes money on the death of his parents? This is the tragedy of our nation. This may lead to other ugly manifestations. For example, the fact that people make money on this.” Mr. Papyan mentioned that there is a red poppy sign in Canada that costs one dollar. This amount of money is spent on, let’s say, assisting the veterans. Mr. Papyan expressed concern about the possible that money is paid for the “Forget-Me-Not” badge, and it will turn out that tomorrow someone has bought a Jeep car with this money.
Read also
According to Mr. Papyan, this contains great corruption risks. Note that there are controversial issues associated with this symbol. For example, the one that it is the symbol of the Freemasons and so on. Pr. Papyan did not deny this and added, “The nation has images in its mind associated with the genocide for at least 50 years. Tsitsernakaberd is the most important of them. Hence, they leave this already established image and create something new that is extremely controversial by itself. Starting from color resolution, as it has different meanings, up to the similarity, as dozens of commercial organizations have signs similar to forget-me-not.” The “Forget-Me-Not” logo was elaborated by “Sharm Holding”. Director Karen Ghazaryan, referring to the complaints voiced in conversation with “Aravot”, said, “Bring me any logo and I will show 8000 similar to you. Any person can think of something with Forget-Me-Not flower. We have adapted this flower to our problem. Regarding the use of images available in the minds of Armenians, we do not mark the 100th anniversary for Armenians to think of the images of the Armenian nation but in the way that can be perceivable to the world.” The office responsible for organization of the events dedicated to 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide deals with the above-mentioned problems. The Director is Armen Tsaturyan, and the large-scale cultural programs, such as the French days in Armenia, etc. have been entrusted to him. To our question of why the questions regarding the use and selling of the Forget-Me-Not are not subjected to legal regulation in advance, Mr. Tsaturyan replied, “With the help of NSS, we suspend the sale of it on buy.am and social networks. On the other hand, there are many organizations that are willing to organize production, and we give them permission. First, we need to understand what they want to produce, at what price, where it will be sold and so on. Shame on those Armenians who try to gain profit from this.”
Mr. Tsaturyan assured that they have announced the entrepreneurs that the production copyright belongs to the state and they need to apply to the office to submit the design, and then it will be decided whether to allow them to organize production or not. Arman Tsaturyan mentioned that it is quite difficult to control the industry, and also said that “we did not think that Armenians would reach that level.” We inquired when and where the citizens can obtain these Forget-Me-Not badges, Mr. Tsaturyan replied, “A batch of Forget-Me-Not badges, about 20,000 pieces, was brought to Armenia from China, and in March, nearly 300,000 pieces will be brought. The badges were made there. In March, the Forget-Me-Not badges will be available in all supermarkets, subways, and anyone can take the badge and donate in the box next to it.” Arman Tsaturyan informed that the souvenir producers will be given permission, but a threshold will be determine that if they go beyond the permitted threshold, they will bear responsibility. FYI, all those who want to produce souvenirs with Forget-Me-Not symbol should contact the Office at Moscow 33A address.
TATEV HARUTYUNYAN
I had a feeling this would be happening. Thank you for the article.
I called them several times and emailed as well. No one answers the phone, and no one replies to emails.