In the intervening years, the symbol has been reproduced countless times, and become the basis for mashup, homage and reinterpretation.
Recently, a UK fashion house decided - like many others - to repurpose the logo for their clothing. They have reportedly claimed ownership of the symbol, despite 35 years of prior use. They also have a line of clothes called "Whore Wear" which, in their words, is "glam and chic yet bordering on trashy."
It is fitting that such an uninspired ripoff surrounds an anti-authoritarian symbol with a chain.
See the show "Symbol" and original unchained logo in person. It will remain on display at Goteblüd through March 4, 2012. Hours are Saturday/Sunday 12-5pm, located at 766 Valencia, San Francisco.
2012-01-30 10:16 am (UTC)
I assume copyrighting it would have been deemed too corporate at the time. So some chancers are trying it on. That 'Hardware' pretentiously call themselves a fashion house says much about their aspirations while their clothes say more about their talent. They'll be bust in a year.
But now piracy is endemic and, depending on context, outlaw and sexy or, the flipside, unimaginative theft - who gets to decide that context?
Crass or Coca-Cola? It is all fed into the machine now.
Witness Disney's new 'Unknown Pleasures' Mickey t-shirt.
I hope they make some cash out of it. But, if they do, I suppose it means they became, to a point, what they set out to destroy. They wouldn't be the first.
Whatever, Crass will be remembered. Hardware never will.