New era as Miami human rights group, Cuba joust over Internet logo

New era as Miami human rights group, Cuba joust over Internet logo

The Foundation for Human Rights in Cuba was surprised to see its
trademark logo on a government portal

It sent a letter pointing out the problem to ETECSA, Cuba's telecom company

ETECSA changed the logo and also responded on Twitter

Imitation can be a form of flattery, but in the case of the Miami-based
Foundation For Human Rights in Cuba, it's not quite sure what to make of
ETECSA, Cuba's state telecommunications company, using the Wi-Fi logo it
registered for its Connect Cuba campaign.

In some of ETECSA's recent infographics to publicize its own effort to
expand Internet access in Cuba, it uses a stylized Wi-Fi symbol that
incorporates the colors of the Cuban flag. FHRC said it is the very same
logo it created in 2013 and trademarked on May 20, 2014, to use in its
Connect Cuba (Conecta Cuba) campaign.

The goal of the FHRC campaign is to "empower Cuban civil society with
open, uncensored access to the Internet and the ability to communicate
freely with each other and the world."

In an open letter to ETECSA, FHRC wrote: "We applaud you, especially
considering that you are a state-run telecommunications monopoly, for
associating our Wi-Fi logo with what you believe to be authentic
'Internet expansion' in Cuba. That said, you still have a long way to go."

Cuba has one of the lowest connectivity rates in the Americas, but
ETECSA is in the process of creating more public Wi-Fi hotspots — it
rolled out 65 last year and plans dozens more in 2016 — and has said
that it is launching a pilot project that would bring broadband Internet
service, including home connections, to two Havana neighborhoods.

In the letter, FHRC faulted ETECSA for price censorship — an hour of
Wi-Fi access at the hotspots costs 10 percent of the average Cuban
monthly salary — and for censuring access to the Internet by blocking
some websites. It also said it has heard reports of "certain bloggers
being punished by the Cuban government for expressing themselves freely
on the limited Internet and email services you do provide."

The letter, which was sent Tuesday afternoon, went on to say, "ETECSA,
thank you for recognizing our work to advocate for a free and open
Internet in Cuba, and on behalf of our organization, welcome to the
Connect Cuba campaign!"

ETECSA was quick to respond, said José Luis Martínez, director of media
and public relations for the Foundation for Human Rights in Cuba.

On CubaSi, an official Cuban portal registered to ETECSA, the logo on
the infographic morphed, becoming an all-blue symbol for connectivity
the same day the letter was sent.

The Internet also has created new possibilities for the Cuban government
and Cuban exiles to engage. The evening the letter was sent, CubaSi and
ETECSA took to Twitter, posting tweets that could be considered a
response. "Cuba is connected by itself. The terrorists only know how to
connect bomb cables," posted CubaSi in Spanish.

Cubasi
‏@PortalCubasi
#Cuba se conecta sola. Los terroristas solo saben conectar los cables de
las bombas #internet
http://cubasi.cu/cubasi-noticias-cuba-mundo-ultima-hora/item/22660-si-quiere-ser-estafado-conecta-cuba
… @ETECSA_Cuba

Source: Cubasi on Twitter: "#Cuba se conecta sola. Los terroristas solo
saben conectar los cables de las bombas #internet
https://t.co/zCdtEwPPxb @ETECSA_Cuba" -
https://twitter.com/PortalCubasi/status/697177975502974976?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

A Tweet posted by @ETECSA_Cuba read, "If you want to be ripped off:
Conecta Cuba." There was a similar Tweet from Rolando Tellez Rivas,
whose profile identifies him as a communications specialist for ETECSA.
He also posted the infographic with the new all-blue logo on his Twitter
account.

Martínez didn't appreciate the tone of the Cuban social media
engagement. The responses, he said, were "untrue, inflammatory, highly
unprofessional and almost childish."

Source: New era as Miami human rights group, Cuba joust over Internet
logo | Miami Herald -
http://www.miamiherald.com/news/nation-world/world/americas/cuba/article59898181.html