In a bit of incredibly ridiculous news out of California, a rapper from Oakland, who has been performing under the name “Pope Emeritus” since 2006, has threatened a lawsuit if Pope Benedict XVI is called that when he retires on Thursday, according to The New Yorker.
“I don’t care who he is, I ain’t let nobody mess with my brand,” said Emeritus, who before 2006 recorded under the name Notorious P.O.P.E.
The Vatican told the media this week that it did not realize Emeritus laid claim to the name some seven years ago. The rapper from California was not buying that excuse. He said, “They should have done what I did before I picked it out: Google it.”
Emeritus is claiming that the issue at hand is a case of trademark infringement and he is none too pleased with the situation. “He’s the one who should step aside. Call himself P. Biddy or something. This is wack, yo.”
Sources close to the Vatican said that Benedict will probably choose a different name for himself when he resigns instead of risking a legal fight with the rapper. “The last thing the Church needs right now is another lawsuit.”
Let us know your thoughts in our comments section.
Note: This post is based on a satirical article that isn’t true (but it is funny to think about).
This is from the Borowitz report, a satirical column in the New Yorker. It’s a joke, not real news
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andy_Borowitz
http://www.newyorker.com/online/blogs/borowitzreport/2013/02/oakland-rapper-pope-emeritus-threatens-lawsuit.html
Thanks for pointing that out Frank, I have noted this at the bottom of the article – Editor
It’s too bad this scumbag won’t be going to prison for all his crimes. Cardinal Rat started life as a member of the Hitler Youth and descended from there. His rise to the top of the world’s biggest criminal organization really began when he was put in charge back in the mid-1980s of covering up child rapes. It remains the biggest child raping ring in human history. If only there really was a hell for pedophile protectors like the pope.
We may be religious or not, we may agree or disagree with Pope Benedict’s views, but in my opinion, we should admire a decision that places the good of the Catholic Church above his own prestige.
George, I don’t know if you were a victim yourself or not and therefore whether there’s an emotive impetus to your remarks, but you cannot label someone a criminal who has not been convicted, or even charged with a crime. Benedict has been one of the most proactive in the church to root out abuse. Sure, he may not have done as much as people outside the church would have liked, but he’s done a heck of a lot more than anyone else within the church. You are condemning a good man based on popular polemic, in my opinion. (PS, I’m not a Catholic or even a Christian.)
Why should this guy think he even has a case? The word, basically means retirement. I don’t feel the “POPE” should change his title, as this phrase has been around and used bt the church for over 6 century’s. Whit I think is “wack” is that this rapper has the gall to even complain.