Ponting Ashes message on iconic Big Ben may land Cricket Australia in legal trouble
By ANIFriday, October 29, 2010
LONDON - Projection of Australian skipper Ricky Ponting and vice-captain Michael Clarke’s holographic images on London’s iconic landmark Big Ben may land Cricket Australia in legal trouble and possibly a police investigation.
A reminder -”Don’t forget to pack the urn”- had accompanied the images.
According to the Guardian, Westminster City Council is responding to the advertising campaign for upcoming Ashes series with the threat of legal action.
“The Palace of Westminster is part of a UNESCO world heritage site, and it’s both inappropriate and insulting for this important location and its buildings to effectively be abused in this manner. It’s also a criminal offence,” the newspaper quoted Robert Davis, Westminster City Council Deputy Leader, as saying.
“If an organization wishes to display advertising on it, or any other building in Westminster for that matter, they should apply through the normal channels like any right-minded person with respect for the law.”
“Although we’ve not prosecuted previously as such stunts are usually over quickly, we do feel now that enough is enough and we’re considering legal action,” he added.
Conviction at the magistrates’ courts over laws governing advertising consents carries a 2,500 pounds fine.
The council looks like making an example of Cricket Australia in a clear warning that it will now begin to protect its rights with a view to preventing repeats in the build-up to the 2012 London Olympics. (ANI)
