Koch Industries Supports Free Speech

The Kochtopus is angry. It is out for revenge.

Koch Industries filed a lawsuit in a Utah court Monday seeking the names of individuals responsible for launching a fake website and news release that claimed the company had updated its policies to take on a new eco-friendly approach, according to The Salt Lake Tribune.

Koch, which Greenpeace alleged is financing ways to discredit climate change science, wants the names of the people behind the hoax.

The suit was filed in Utah because the domain name and fake website were registered with Utah-based companies Bluehost and Fast Domain, respectively.

The stunt they are angry about is the work of the Yes Men. The fake website is no longer available but Gawkwer describes it:

Last month, pranksters set up a spoof website for petroleum/paper cup/carpet conglomerate Koch Industries. Then they sent out a fake press release that claimed Koch was remaking itself into a paragon of corporate responsibility. FOR THIS THEY WILL BE DESTROYED.

The pranksters’ fake press release said that Koch Industries were going to stop funding conservative think tanks because of their dubious positions on global warming. This was not true, of course. You don’t earn the moniker “”a financial kingpin of climate science
denial and clean energy opposition” from Greenpeace for
nothing.

My favorite part is Koch’s explanation for the lawsuit:

“Koch Industries Inc. is a firm believer in our nation’s First Amendment and the right to free speech,” said Koch spokesperson Melissa Cohlmia in an email statement. “This lawsuit was filed in response to a willful act of identity theft, theft of intellectual property and impersonation that extends beyond the boundaries of free speech. It was a publicity and fundraising stunt perpetrated with the intent to deceive and confuse the public, and disrupt and harm Koch Industries’ business and reputation.”

Oh noez! The Yes Men are ruining Koch’s reputation as a nasty, mean company. Luckily Koch will restore its reputation by sending corporate lawyers against small companies and private citizens. Crisis averted!

Way to go Koch! Good job bringing attention to the Yes Men.