1996’s first UFO Festival was a grassroots event planned by the UFO Museum and other local enthusiasts/businesses, with absolutely no city planning or involvement (aside from street closures, etc). The city only began to participate with UFO Festival activities and funding in time for 2007’s 60th crash anniversary, but has since proven to be an “on-again-off-again” presence.
In brief, the UFO Festival flourished for 10 years and became known worldwide 100% without city involvement. It’s also safe to say that there have been more festivals without any city involvement than with.
Imagine my shock (and many others’) then at the audacity of the city’s claim that the UFO Festival has now somehow become “the city’s ‘intellectual property.’”
“… the city is asking that the group (MainStreet Roswell) agree that the UFO Festival is a city event and is the city’s ‘intellectual property’ … Main-Street can offer events in conjunction with the festival after coordinating with the city … would not be able to promote its own AlienFest … or similar event within 90 days of the UFO Festival … ” (Roswell Daily Record, Jan. 23).
Ridiculous! Nobody can claim intellectual property rights to that which others built. The city is stealing the labor and true intellectual property of private citizens, and now seeks to control all facets of the event, to the point of making others require permission to participate! Hey UFO Museum — watch your back, before you’re “ceased and desisted” from your signature event.
The UFO Festival should remain 100% privatized, in the hands of the UFO Museum, MainStreet Roswell, and any/all residents and businesses who wish to sponsor and participate, as it has been for most of its existence. But let’s be clear: our city officials did not build a UFO, fly it, nor crash it. They did not find it, do not own it, and have no “intellectual property rights” nor authority to manage/license the Roswell Incident or the UFO Festival.
