Red Cross condemns misuse of emblem in videogames

The British Red Cross has told GamesIndustry.biz that it hopes to work with developers to prevent the "illegal and detrimental" misuse of the red cross emblem in videogames.

"It is important for videogame manufacturers not to use the emblem in their games, including for matters related to its humanitarian purpose, such as first aid or general medical care," said Michael Meyer, head of international law for the British Red Cross.

"The use of the emblem in videogames is both illegal and detrimental to the special protective value of the emblem."

Meyer's comments come after US website GameLaw.org published a letter from David Pratt of the Canadian Red Cross complaining about the "unauthorised and indeed illegal use of the Red Cross emblem by the industry."

"The fact that the Red Cross is also used in which contain strong language and violence is also of concern to us in that they directly conflict with the basic humanitarian principles espoused by the Red Cross movement," Pratt stated.

Meyer said this view was shared by the British Red Cross, which "has been aware of this problem for a number of years" and would welcome a dialogue with game developers "in order to prevent further misuse of the emblem and to try to stop current misuses."

"We would be willing to work with a videogame manufacturer to produce a game which shows the emblem in its correct use, as a symbol of protection during armed conflict, and where the player is rewarded for using the emblem correctly. Such a game could reward the player for respecting the rules of war and thereby, help the Red Cross Movement with its work to promote such respect," Meyer continued.

"The help of videogame manufacturers in protecting the integrity of the emblem, and upholding its special meaning, would be much appreciated."

It might seem petty, but I can't blame them for wanting to protect their image.

Also, they are doing it in a good fasion. Instead of just breaking out the lawyers, they propose to meet with developpers to talk about the situation.

someone needs to make a flash game where you shoot the Red Cross symbol....

but seriously, what's the big deal with their symbol in a game? it's not hurting anything. it doesn't make the Red Cross look bad. i don't get it.

I agree that if they want it removed, they are taking the right path with meetings instead of lawyers.

Good for them. Still...

They don't want to be associated with first aid and humanitarian purposes...

?

Yeah, when I see the red cross it means health, or medic, it seems to more so help their image..

This bites! What am I going to do now when I am running on %10 life left and I need health? Look for a band-aid icon? A nurse hat? How about a nurse just wearing ........

I guess It won't be too bad. This will just make the game creators be a little more creative (in a small and insignificant way).

I think this had to be my favorite part :

How about Aspirin(TM) or other medicine boxes instead of the red cross? I thought of that along the lines of product placement with medical stuff.

Yeah. In the heat of battle you run vigorously trying to find Aspirin(TM), find it and pick it up, game pauses.... a small disclaimer scrolls for a few seconds, along with a list of proper usages and portions for this product...

I really am getting tired of whining about "hes using my name for this" "shes trying to ruin my name" Blah Blah Blah.... If it keeps up at this rate all fun in this world will go down the drain. I don't want to have to start worrying about what I say and how I say it.

Besides, I would think that they wouldn't mind thier name/symbol being used...FREE ADVERTISEMENT.

Too late for that... you pretty much have to watch your P's and Q's in every aspect of life. You'll find that what you say or do has a great impact on how people perceive you, and people know other people. Sometimes you have to let things go and be a little different from yourself. Having an interview for a job jumps directly to mind. There are other aspects, but I won't go on about it right now. Just let it be known that there is something called being "PC" about things, and it's something that will never go away.

Is the 'red cross' a registered trademark for the organization.

Or is it through the geneva conventions that it breaks international treaty thus making it illegal?

Just curious on the foundation of the illegality statement

I believe it's trademarked.

I looked here () at the World Intellectual Property Organization, but I couldn't find the Red Cross in their database, so I think it's not copyrighted. Maybe I didn't look thouroughly enough though...

It definitely is protected.