Goodyear Protests Use of Company Logo on Political Signs

A man in the US state of Alabama has been contacted by Goodyear Tire & Rubber’s legal department after using the tyre maker’s logo on billboards celebrating the defeat of Democrats around the country in the November 2 election. Tire Review reports that Ronnie Holmes, who is listed on the Alabama secretary of state’s website as the incorporating agent, president and secretary of Tuscaloosa Tire and Service Center – which operates three Goodyear stores in Tuscaloosa and one in Northport – created the signs using the Goodyear logo without permission.

“Goodyear did not authorise or condone the use of its name or logo in connection with these billboards. We have spoken with the individual who rented the signs, and the responsible party has agreed to remove them,” said a Goodyear spokesperson.

The signs contain a caricature of a crying President Barack Obama and bear the message: “Minus 80 Democratic Congressman, Senators & Governors…Now That’s a Goodyear!,” according to a report by the Tuscaloosa News. At the bottom of each billboard are the words “Paid for by Ronnie Holmes.” Goodyear was made aware of the billboards after area residents called to complain about the signs’ message.