Pirates 'R Us - Arnel Mendiola Cerafica’s Campaign Logo Raises Concerns Over Copyright Issues

As the mid-term election draws near, Arnel Mendiola Cerafica, a mayoral candidate for Taguig, is facing questions about his campaign branding. His campaign materials prominently feature a logo that looks strikingly similar to the well-known logo of AMC Theatres. The letters "M" and "C" in his "TEAM AMC" logo are almost identical to the ones used in AMC’s logo, while the letter "A" is very similar, though slightly different. This isn’t just a coincidence; his campaign logo closely mirrors the design of AMC Theatres' iconic branding, raising serious concerns about intellectual property theft and trust in public office.

Cerafica, who previously served as the Congressman for Pateros-Taguig from 2010 to 2019, has a long history in politics. He also served as a councilor for the 1st District of Taguig from 2001 to 2007. However, the use of a logo so similar to AMC Theatres' emblem is hard to overlook. While "TEAM AMC" is the name of his political group, the design itself is almost a direct copy of AMC’s branding, a logo that has been well-recognized for years.

It's unclear whether Cerafica was aware of the logo’s resemblance to AMC Theatres’ emblem when it was approved for use, or if his campaign team fully understood the potential copyright infringement. There is also no evidence to suggest that they sought permission from AMC Theatres to use their logo, and frankly, it seems highly unlikely. 

This issue raises a broader concern. If a candidate is willing to use a logo they don’t own, without permission, it raises a red flag about their respect for the laws and rules that are crucial for anyone seeking public office. 

Intellectual property theft is a serious matter, and this situation serves as yet another reason why voters need to be more discerning when choosing their leaders.

The public deserves transparency, and more importantly, they deserve a leader who respects both the law and the creative work of others.