President Sues Brazil Over Illegal Use of Phrase “Yes We Can”

Washington- Lawyers for President Obama have issued papers to the government of Brazil demanding that all representatives of that tiny island nation refrain from any further use of the phrase “yes we can”. A firestorm erupted yesterday when Brazilian President Frank “Ponch” Poncherelli co-opted the popular phrase for his countries bid to host the 2016 Fall Olympics. According to lawyers for Obama these actions were not only inappropriate and indecent but also illegal as the famous Chicagoan copyrighted the phrase (along with the words hope and change) early in 2008.

Legal expert Craven Moorehead explained it this way. “Pursuant to current international law words and phrases exhibiting particular uniqueness, novelty or that are demonstrably peculiar to a group or individual may be copyrighted and use of such words or phrases my be limited to and controlled by those holding the copyrights.”. When queried as to the Obama standing in this incident Moorehead further spouted. “I’d say he’s got a pretty good case. The words hope, change, yes, we and can are all pretty obscure and, outside of my reading of antiquated medieval literature, I can’t think of a single occasion when I’ve observed these words in any sort of use at all. There is also precedent that team Obama has on its side. In 1987 then President Ronald Reagan wanted to tell Premier McDonald Gorbechef “yipee-kay-yay mother eff’er” at the conclusion of their famous Yalta Summit but New York City Police Detective John McClain would not consent to the President’s use of the phrase and so Gorbie was told to tear down his wall instead. In hindsight it seems to be a decision that worked out well for both men. Reagan went on to win the cold war and McClain eventually starred in several episodes of The Wonder Years as Kevin Arnold’s love interest.”

Lawyers for the country of Brazil have counter-sued claiming that Poncherelli first received permission from Bob The Builder before using the phrase.  Mr. The Builder is thought to be the originator of the word grouping and has been using the term “yes we can” as part of his catch phrase and in his theme song since 1994.  Lawyers for Obama have counter-sued the counter-suit claiming that since Bob The Builders popular television home repair show is aired on PBS the phrase is actually the property of the government which is currently owned by Obama.

Mr. Moorehead thinks that ultimately who first used the phrase is of little consequence so far as internqtional copyright law is concerned. “If you remember back in 1962 Jack Kennedy copyrighted the quote “ask not what your country can do for you, ask what manner of fealty your country will soon be expecting” and was able to extract royalty payments from Khalil Gibran for use of the similar phrase “Are you a politician asking what your country can do for you or a zealous one asking what you can do for your country?” even though the latter had first published the phrase in his 1925 book The New Frontier“