Colombian coffee growers sue U.S. cartoonist

The Federation of Colombian Coffee Growers announced a multi-million dollar lawsuit against U.S. cartoonist Mike Peters over a cartoon published in U.S. newspapers linking Colombian coffee with crime syndicates.

According to the coffee growers, the Pulitzer Prize winner's comic insults Colombia's national dignity. The association seeks "not just an economic compensation for something that damages the intellectual heritage. We also want moral compensation. A public manifestation," federation director Gabriel Silva said Tuesday.

The coffeegrowers expect to be compensated for US$20 million.

Peters apologized for having offended anyone in a letter that arrived at newspaper El Tiempo's editor's office, but didn't respond to the lawsuit threat of the coffee growers.

According to the cartoonist, the specific comic is part of a series of cartoons based on the fact that the inventor of potato crisp Pringles had his ashes buried in one of his invention's package. Peters says he never intended to insult anyone.

Comments (12) add comment

Monito said:

	... I think we need to drink more coffee, so these poor coffee growers don't have to make their living through humorless lawsuits
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January 07, 2009
Votes: -1

Luis Ov said:

	... jajaj they dont need to do lawsuits to make their livin they do it for respect.. so ignorants like the cartoonist and OTHER people learn.. before judging.. COLOMBIA 100%
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January 07, 2009
Votes: -1

Me said:

	... That's too bad!
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January 07, 2009
Votes: -1

Macondo said:

	... It is sad that up to this day, people continue to make such tasteless humor. and even more sad, that people like Monito make such comments. Juan Valdez we love you.
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January 07, 2009
Votes: +1

DB said:

	... So you're telling me there aren't any big crime syndicates in Colombia?
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January 07, 2009
Votes: -1

Monito said:

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Dear Macondo,

What's wrong with my comment? People are free to make whatever cartoons they want and poke fun with whatever they want, whether you or I find it funny or not. The Coffee Growers Federation reacts childishly by threatening to sue the guy.

The comic (which I don't even think is a very funny one) is absolutely harmless and Colombian coffee is the best there is (except for this one cup of Guatemalan coffee I once tasted). The more you react to people making jokes about Colombia, the more fun it is to make jokes about it, so be a good Colombian and react like an adult.

January 07, 2009
Votes: +1

Marc said:

	... Ok, let me get this straight -- offended by the joke, but the Medellin Cartel murdering people (Chopping them up into little bits) that's ok? DOn't dare offend the coffee growers? And a talking dog, don't think that's strange? GET A LIFE! I've been a Mike Peters fan for 30 years, sometimes I don't agree with his Political pieces, but I still love his work.
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January 07, 2009
Votes: +0

Juan said:

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Whaaaa! Whaaaa! Bad old Mike made a joke. Pinche gringo! The worst part of this whole thing is he may be more correct than he realizes! And, the exteme reaction may be because the Columbians don't want an investigation!! Hey, coffee grounds in the past have been used to disguise drugs being moved so a connection to the cartels isn't new. Would be sort of a poetic end if someone steps out of line down there to become a coffee ingredient. Wonder how they would include that on the nutrition labeling? Wouldn't want to possibly mis-brand the product and damage it's reputation!

January 08, 2009
Votes: -1

Joan Crosby Tibbetts said:

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The lawsuit against Mike Peters is what's known as a SLAPP suit (Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation). Big business SLAPP suits often as a disguised form of shakedown to silence criticism by putting a chill on one's First Amendment rights of free speech. Because of the damage these SLAPP suits do to the "slapped" defendant's business and income, by having to pay enormous legal fees, state legislatures have enacted "Anti-SLAPP" statutes in 20 or more states, allowing defendants their First Amendment rights. Parody is protected under the First Amendment.

January 09, 2009 | url
Votes: +1

Any colombian said:

	... Amazing such kind of ignorance that cartoonist like Peters can exhibit. Most amazing people that approve that sort of BAD jokes. Let's drink the best coffee of the world, colombian coffee, of course!!
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January 10, 2009
Votes: +2

MikeT said:

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Dear readers, it is hard to read such damaging comments about Colombia from your part. I agree that freedom of speech is foremost, but the right to protest and combat injustice is as fundamental a right.

Apart from all subjective feelings of hurt, it is undeniable that demeaning the most beloved product of our country does have a negative impact on its business, and coffee growers, as owners, have the right to protect their brand; another great quality of American and international laws, that protect the endeavors of hard working citizens against unfair defamation.

Let us not forget that the comic strip can be summarized objectively as: character decides to stop drinking Colombian coffee after "realizing" it might contain pieces of assassinated people.

This is what the cartoon says, nothing less. As for Peter's apology, its minuscule effort and insight do not compare to the size of his offense.

January 12, 2009
Votes: +1

colombia rox said:

	... its not right to make such comments like that. the fccg are totally right when it comes to the embarrasment of our nation!
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