A Special Festive Edition of the Blog:
The Story of Demmy

The Liberal Party of Canada is known as the Grits. The Conservative Party of Canada is called the Tories. Like it or not, members and supporters of the Democracy Party of Canada will be known as Demmies.

I know, I know, the first thought on some people’s minds is "Dummies". My, how witty!

But "we’re" dummies for wanting to give Canadians more democracy? I don’t think so.

I could be mistaken, but I think having a "mascot" for the Party is pure genius. Down in the U.S., for example, Republicans have long had their Elephant, and the Democrat's have their Donkey, but what do any of our parties up here in Canada have?

Nothing.

So, I figured our friendly, industrious beaver -- our national critter – would be best for our breakthrough mascot. What that also means is that if the other Canadian parties ever want to follow suit, they’re stuck with having to choose from the lumbering moose, scruffy wolf, a mallard or loon. Maybe, to personify over-the-top partisanship, one of them should use as their mascot the annoying Canadian mosquito!

"Demmy" is our Party's 4th trademark.

(Scrolling display of 4 trademarks (The Democracy Party of Canada, Le Parti de Démocratie de Canada, "D with maple leaf, ie. Flying D" logo, and "Demmy")

Here’s a funny story about what happened when we submitted the trademark application for "Demmy".

First of all, the theory behind a legal trademark is to send in detailed, legalistic descriptions called "wares" and "services" for which you desire protection in the marketplace or, in our case, the political arena.

An example of a "ware" is a product or "brand". In our case, it’s Demmy – the nickname of our Party and the name of our stuffed beaver mascot. We’ll print this name on booklets, videos, political pins, buttons, and so on. Essentially, "wares" are the physical manifestations of the name "Demmy".

A "service" is a how one intends to use the product; in other words, we’ll be using Demmy to raise funds for our political party, and as publicity to aid the party during election campaigns, to sell memberships, and so on.

Due to our very limited resources, my chosen technique for creating our four trademarks was to "adapt" the wording of existing trademarks for other, similar items. That was how I did the trademarks for the Party names in French and English. There, I borrowed from the trademarks of the Conservatives and Liberals, and then put my own spin on them.

So, in Demmy’s case, trademarks for Donald, Mickey, Daffy, Bugs and others, served as my template. Why not take advantage of all that work done by Mr. Disney and the Brothers Warner.

Well, in my original application you should have seen all my "wares" and "services" for Demmy the Democracy Beaver. Talk about going overboard:

Yes, I guess I was planning on Demmy becoming his own multinational corporation! He was going to be omnipresent!

This is only about 20 percent of the whole list – yes, I had included even "Saturday Morning cartoons"!

Our friendly "Demmy" on "toy weapons"? What was I thinking!?

Maybe this was all appropriate for Disney’s "mouse" or Warner Brothers’ "rabbit", but it was a little much to bite off for me and my little political party.

Anyway, in response to my epic Demmy trademark application, the Canadian Intellectual Property Office responded with several criticisms.

First of all, they felt Demmy, as destined for "food product labels", might confuse with the famous "Denny’s Restaurant". Go figure.

The other trademark criticisms were more technical in nature and, since I couldn’t even figure out myself what I was trying to say in the original application, I resubmitted a far simpler set of "wares" and "services" in a revised trademark.

Our "Demmy" trademark has since been approved.

Live and learn.

Here are some interesting facts about Demmy the Democracy Beaver:

Factoid: When we decided to create a mascot, naturally we searched for Canadian suppliers.

We did find one great toy beaver made in Canada, but because we weren’t a "bricks ‘n mortar" retail outlet, they wouldn’t sell to us!

Odd, sometimes Canadian companies make it hard to give them your money!?

Well, we quickly found an alternative source out of Vermont. You have to give it to the Americans – they’ll rarely pass up an opportunity for capitalism, and we sure are happy with what we ended up with.

Factoid: Demmy the Democracy Beaver (Summer 2005) preceded Bell Canada’s great comic duo beavers, Frank and Gordon, by months.

We say: The more the merrier!

Factoid: Right before federal elections, Demmy "comes out of his dam" to give election prognostications.

It seems to be a "thing" that humans depend on animals for predictions. Demmy joins a slew of famous critter prophets such as Wiarton Willie, Punxsutawney Phil, Brandon Bob, Staten Island Chuck, and Shubenacadie Sam!

Factoid: What does a "beaver" sound like? [PLAY WAV FILE]

If you want to see and hear more of the beaver, in the movie "Grey Owl" (2000) beavers are the stars of the show!

Factoid: Meet Demmy’s friend, "Sweet Oakley Squirrel"

Mary Meyer Corp. manufactures Demmy out of Vermont. To them, he’s "Sweet Bertram".

It turns out that the company has actually discontinued Demmy – I guess "retired" is the word used in the industry. However, we can order a couple of thousand at a time as a special request. In the meantime, when Demmy’s unavailable, "Sweet Oakley Squirrel" and other forest friends of Demmy are ready to fill the bill.

Factoid: One of Demmy the Democracy Beaver’s primary functions is for publicity; however, he’s also one of our fundraising tools.

Originally we solicited cash donations, and in return we’d send a Demmy.

However, I figured that various government retail tax agencies might be offended that a transaction was occurring with no sales tax being collected.

So we changed it so that on a donation of $30 or more we’ll give a Demmy to charity. We’ve also donated Demmies to a sick kids’ fundraising event as well as to a women’s shelter.

If "you" have any charitable suggestions, please send them along. It’s very good exposure for the Party, and it makes us feel pretty good, too.

Lastly, let me tell you a story about the "very first" Demmy.

My initial order arrived in a great big box.

Opening it, I was confronted with a great tangled "pile of unwrapped Demmies". Any child or teddy bear lover would have fallen over!

I pulled one out and, being my privilege as the Party founder, I claimed him to be "mine". That, and the fact that I accidentally tore the label and didn’t think I could ever give away this one.

Well, at the 10-day Western Fair, in 2006, you may know we gave away a Demmy-a-day. This little guy (holding) served as my display model at the Fair.

Well, wouldn’t you know it, the fellow manning the exhibit right beside my display had put in a ballot and he won a Demmy on the final day. Since he was right there at the show, and I thought I could save shipping costs, for ONE MOMENT I let him have this "original" Demmy.

For "only" one moment!

As he was packing up to leave, I pled a melodramatic story to have him return this Demmy to me and that I’d deliver another one to him the next day.

I am forever thankful that I was able to retrieve the original "Demmy the Democracy Beaver" – torn label and all.