No More “Der Untergang” Parodies
"Der Untergang" (2004), Copyright, Dumb Corporate Behavior, Foolish Corporate Behavior, Parody
Constantin Films, owner of “Der Untergang” (2004), is asserting its copyright and closing down all the amusing Hitler-chewing-the-carpet parodies.
What a pity! The “Downfall” parodies were becoming a well known Internet Meme, and really worked marvelously as a commentary on any current debacle or untoward development. They will be missed.
TechCrunch responded with a new one featuring Hitler ranting over his removal from YouTube, but they’ve already shut it down.
Pretty stupid and unattractive corporate behavior, if you ask me.
What do these parodies cost the film’s owners? Nothing. What is their impact? Millions of dollars of free publicity turning a relatively little known film into a famous cultural icon and making Constantin’s property ever so much more valuable. Shutting down the Untergang parodies is really just about as clever as invading Russia.