Knockoffs mimic ‘Drugs Bring Death' logo

LIMA - The "Drugs Bring Death" movement began with a simple purpose to help solve the drug problem in Lima. A recent knockoff has the group's founder concerned people will think the group has gone political.

Jesse Lowe, the group's founder, said he's seen a sticker on a car very similar in appearance to his organization's black and yellow logo. It's the same layout, same type font, he said. The message is what concerns him, he said. The new sticker says, "Obama Brings Death."

"We have a patent on everything we do. Everything is copyrighted, everything. That kind of blew my mind," Lowe said. "I don't want individuals to think we're supporting either candidate. The thing is drugs are an issue that goes across the board. It has nothing to do with the political arena at all."

Lowe said the group's original focus may be lost if people see the knockoffs and believe the group is responsible for their messages.

"I'm just asking individuals please don't feel that is coming from ‘Drugs Bring Death.' That is totally not true," Lowe said. "We haven't been political on anything. When we go out as a group, we go out as a group. I have done things on an individual basis but I wasn't out displaying the ‘Drugs Bring Death' symbol."

Lowe said he doesn't know how many knockoffs are out there. The bottom line, he said, is that people should realize that crafting their own messages in the likeness of "Drugs Bring Death" is not only a violation of the organization's trademarks, but also hurts the image of an organization meant to help the community, he said.

"It hurt to see that somebody would try to take advantage," Lowe said. "We're doing some good things."