(Via Samizdata) Tom Parfitt in the Scotsman amuses with Kalashnikov gives name to 'manly' but less lethal products:
More than 70 million of his automatic rifles have been produced since 1949, but Mr Kalashnikov, now 83, has never received a kopeck in royalties.I frankly detest logo'ed merchanidise (except for my gimme caps), but more power to him. Hmm, I wonder if Michael Moore has thought about a line of "horse's butt" apparel?
All that is about to change.
This week, it was confirmed that Mr Kalashnikov has struck a deal with a German company allowing it to use his name on a range of "manly" products - from snowboards and umbrellas to shaving foam, watches and penknives.
In return, Marken Marketing International (MMI), with a reported annual turnover of 7 million, will give the impoverished inventor a cut of its profits.
