Most teens cannot look past a mirror to note the world around them. Nineteen-year-old Lauren McClusky has. She began a concert festival in 2007 where money from the event would be donated to the Special Olympics. In 2007 and 2008 she managed to raise $30,000 for the cause.
McDonald’s is now taking legal action against her. Why? Because she labeled the event as “McFest.”
McDonald’s is upset because they claim by placing the “Mc” in front of “fest” it is an infringement on their trademark. One might have more reason to raise an eyebrow if her last name was not McClusky. In addition, nowhere in McCluskys’ program refers to McDonald’s—no little M arches, no Big Mac or ultra salty fries selling, not even the McDonald’s team colors of red and yellow. McDonald’s should have no reason to feel threatened concerning this.
This story is upsetting for a few reasons. It seems McDonald’s is trying to take advantage of an underdog of the world. While there were no qualms about “McFest” in 2007 or 2008, there is suddenly an issue as the event becomes bigger. McDonald’s corporation claims they are not trying to discourage McClusky from performing altruistic activities, and that they just want a name change. The problem is a name change would cause a decrease in the events’ participation. This has been a two- or three-year project that McClusky has spent trying to promote.
Think about it; if “Pointfest” was suddenly changed to “Headbangerfest,” not as many people would go because they wouldn’t recognize the name that has made the music world what it is.
McDonald’s said they were willing to compromise the name, and I applaud McCluskys decision to deny their offer to call it “McDonald’s presents McFest.” How undermining is that of the corporation to attempt to weasel their way into free advertising? McDonald’s had absolutely nothing to do with the creation of McFest, yet they want the credit?
This is all just another example of how corporate America seems to think they can do what they want and step on the little people on their way there. Sometimes, corporate America seems to forget that it all started with the “little people,” and that it could very well end with them too.
Our first thought when thinking of McDonald’s is not a “Mc.” We think of two yellow arches. With this logic, there would be lawsuits left and right. Should O’Reillys auto parts be getting sued because O’Hare international airport in “known for their O apostrophe?” When we labeled miniskirts as “micro minis,” should the creator of the first official micro minis have gotten a lawsuit from Bill Gates for using “micro?” Personally, I do not think this girl was in the wrong for using part of her name for an event she started. I would think it would be a little more suspicious if her last name had not been McClusky.
Putting all that aside, this is a 19-year-old girl raising money for the Special Olympics. Considering McDonald’s is a supporter of the cause, you would figure they would show a little more compassion and a do a lot less action. In McDonald’s’ defense, I do not think they are saying they hate the Special Olympics or any of their participants, but I think taking McClusky to court instead of letting her donate funds from the event says something.
In addition, she is raising money for other people. How many adults, or for that fact teenagers, create an event in support of other people? Or how many even stop to donate toward others? This society has a natural tendency to think about themselves; we have to pay the bills, have that 50” flat screen, have the new i-whatever.
McDonald’s is slapping her wrist and sending her to corporate “time out” for helping others.
Not only does this have potential to discourage further self-created altruistic activities for McClusky, but now the rest of the world might be weary as well.
Maybe this is revenge for the great coffee spill of ‘94. Really, I think McDonald’s has enough money and attention as is to worry about a charity fundraiser using “Mc” in the event name.
McShame, McDonald’s, McShame.
Jen O’Hara is a staff writer for The Current.
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