Cease & Desist Sent Via Twitter, Come On…
December 20, 2008
Burger King didn’t like the Twitter username whoppervirgins, so they sent a cease and desist notice – via Twitter. Or did they, maybe it’s just a ploy to get some linkage from the blogosphere? Techdirt dug it up, and asks why no one nabbed this Twitter username when the ad campaign with the same name rolled out?
My bet is that the C&D isn’t entirely serious…
Thord Daniel Hedengren
Thord Daniel Hedengren is a designer, writer, and blogger, and also the former editor of The Blog Herald. He used to be a hotshot in the gaming industry in Sweden, but sold everything and went International. Most recently he wrote a book called Smashing WordPress: Beyond the Blog, and does loads of kickass design.
It probably is a PR stunt — although a smart one by BK. Not only do they get the attention of Twitter users, they also ensure bloggers will write about the ploy and traditional media will report on the bloggers. During this time, free advertising is always welcome.
And you gave them all that PR :)
The BK item may be more than just a publicity stunt. A day prior to the Twitter message, an Australian court ruled Facebook could be used to send foreclosure notices. This could be just a U.S. test case to extend the 2006 ruling by a New York court which made e-mail a valid delivery method of legal service.