What's up with the souveniers?

Companies like the Bradford Exchange and the Franklin Mint jump on anything that is topical in order to make a buck...that's their business. Barack Obama...nor any of the other public figures they have created commemorative items for...benefit financially from the sales as they are private companies. Barack Obama and others are public figures so their likenesses can be used. We bought a commemorative Elvis plate for my sister-in-law once...she liked it. I think that if you're in the commemorative business, you're going to be out there pushing anything Obama right now because the market is hot and it's the holiday season. I guarantee that there will be millions of similar items for sale all over D.C. in January.

I don't think that Obama is going to gain financially from this. Most are just what you said: crafty enterpeneurs making money off of a historical event. With Obama being elected President, he is a public figure in which such people will make money from as long as such businesses do not slander or libel him or the Office of the President. For those who are into collecting such souveniers, they fill a niche. And that is what a free market is all about.

I just do not understand the love towards this guy, what has Obama done to deserve this attention. Everything from 15 magazine covers to plates good grief, no other President received this can of love fest without doing something first. I do not think Barack is receiving any monetary compensation for him face being everywhere, but still who are these people who are trying to make everything with Barack face on it. I wonder how long it will take for Nike to create Air Obama?

I don't think there's any chance Obama is getting anything from these sales. Can you imagine the outcry if anyone even thought he was? It's just an example of capitalism at its best. These companies that make those plates sure were right on the ball, weren't they? They didn't waste a minute! Annie

I don't know how this goes really. I know that Obama had to sign for them to be able to use his likeness. I don't know if he would get royalties from the sales, or if they just go to the independent entrepreneurs that sell them. But like you said, whoever is getting the money stands to make a pretty penny, him being the first black president. A lot of people will want the memorabilia.

I, too, have noticed this. I suppose they think they can profit off of this. I doubt he profits from it. But you just never know;) I suppose we now have our own American Royal Family. Stuff like that is usually done when the British Royal Family has an important event going on. If people buy it, it's their problem. I don't have the money for it, nor do I want it;)