FOX Sending Cease & Desist Orders to Makers of Jayne Cobb Hats

As if fellow Browncoats didn't already have enough hatred towards FOX, this news hits the net.

Over the last few weeks, FOX has been sending out cease and desist orders to purveyors of homemade Jayne Cobb Hats on sites like Etsy.  While it is true that the studio still owns the rights to Firefly, and with it Jayne's hat, why they're going after fans more than a decade later is a little odd.

Many are pointing to Ripple Junction who, not to long ago, obtained the rights to mass produce and sell the hat through popular nerd sites like ThinkGeek.  However, both companies have stated that they have had no involvement with the C&D notices.  ThinkGeek even went so far as posting the following statement on their site:

Our dear Browncoats, 

We've heard the news that FOX, the licensors of Firefly merch, is sending out cease and desist notices to Etsy sellers who carry their own cunning hats. 

We just wanted you to know that ThinkGeek has nothing to do with the C&D notices. The hat is licensed by a vendor with whom we have a relationship and while the hat is not an exclusive to ThinkGeek, we did have a hand in its development and answered the difficult questions like, "Are the earflaps long enough?" and "Is that man afraid of anything?" (Yes and no, respectively.) 

Would the C&D have happened if we did not carry the hat on our site?  We're not sure; we'll leave that question to sharper legal minds than ours. We're here to carry the shiniest of goods from 'round the 'verse, even maybe makin' them ourselves. We just want y'all to know that while we might not always aim to misbehave, we'll always be sure to get you the best stuff this side of the Eavesdown Docks.

The way we see it, if people want to make their own, shiny. For those out there who can't knit to save their gorram lives, we can help.

While FOX is within their legal rights to put the kibosh on maker/sellers of the hat and other Firefly merchandise, it's extremely confusing and frustrating as to why they are suddenly showing interest in the property -- especially given the fact that they are the main contributor to the show's dimise.

One thing's for sure though: if you want a homemade hat, just like Jayne's mom made for him, you better hurry before it's too late.

Source: Blastr via The Mary Sue