잦은 소송이 만들어낸 콘테스트

연합통신의 해외 단신란을 보니 미시간에 본부를 둔 "소송 남용 감시 (lawsuit abuse watch)"라는 단체에서 해마다 가장 어이없는 상품경고문을 뽑아서 시상을 한단다. 정확히 기억은 안나지만 한국산 전자렌지에 고양이를 집어넣어 돌렸다던가 하는 사건이 법정에 까지 가서 적절한 경고문 미비로 결국 보상비를 지불했다는 구전설화같은 이야기를 들은 적이 있지만, 실제로 미국에서 물건을 사보면 경고문이 설명문보다 더 자세한 경우들을 종종 볼 수가 있고, 결국 생산자와 소비자가 상품을 사이에 두고 서로 법적을 비켜나가고 미끄러질 궁리들을 하는 셈이니 가히 21세기의 상품은 맑스가 자본론에서 이야기한 물신화의 경지에 이르렀다고 봐야 할 듯.

그것은 예비되어 있고 너의 상상력을 통제한다!

2005년의 수상작들.

 

 

 

 

 

Following is a list of some of the best labels from the first eight contests:


A label on a baby stroller warns: “Remove child before folding
A brass fishing lure with a three-pronged hook on the end warns: “Harmful if swallowed
A popular scooter for children warns: "This product moves when used."
A nine- by three-inch bag of air used as packing material cautions: "Do not use this product as a toy, pillow, or flotation device."
A flushable toilet brush warns: "Do not use for personal hygiene."
The label on an electric hand blender promoted for use in "blending, whipping, chopping and dicing," warns: "Never remove food or other items from the blades while the product is operating."
A digital thermometer that can be used to take a person's temperature several different ways warns: "Once used rectally, the thermometer should not be used orally."
A household iron warns users: “Never iron clothes while they are being worn”
A label on a hair dryer reads, “Never use hair dryer while sleeping”
A warning on an electric drill made for carpenters cautions: “This product not intended for use as a dental drill.”
The label on a bottle of drain cleaner warns: “If you do not understand, or cannot read, all directions, cautions and warnings, do not use this product.”
A smoke detector warns: “Do not use the Silence Feature in emergency situations. It will not extinguish a fire.”
A massage chair warns: “DO NOT use massage chair without clothing... and, Never force any body part into the backrest area while the rollers are moving.”
A cardboard car sunshield that keeps sun off the dashboard warns, “Do not drive with sunshield in place”
An “Aim-n-Flame” fireplace lighter cautions, “Do not use near fire, flame or sparks”
A label on a hand-held massager advises consumers not to use “while sleeping or unconscious”
A 12-inch rack for storing compact disks warns: “Do not use as a ladder.”
A cartridge for a laser printer warns, “Do not eat toner”
A 13-inch wheel on a wheelbarrow warns: “Not intended for highway use”
A can of self-defense pepper spray warns users: “May irritate eyes”
A warning on a pair of shin guards manufactured for bicyclists says: “Shin pads cannot protect any part of the body they do not cover.”
A snowblower warns: “Do not use snowthrower on roof.”
A dishwasher carries this warning: “Do not allow children to play in the dishwasher.”
A popular manufactured fireplace log warns: “Caution - Risk of Fire”
A box of birthday cake candles says: “DO NOT use soft wax as ear plugs or for any other function that involves insertion into a body cavity.”