Is copyright law effective?

[bakedjake]

So far this year, Albuquerque police said criminals have impersonated officers during four home invasions and two armed robberies.

This summer, the police department got its patch and badge copyrighted, making them illegal to sell online and hopefully making it harder for criminals to impersonate officers.

[officer.com...]

[lawman]

Now, not only can they throw 'em in jail, they can sue 'em. :)

[thecoalman]

Effective? Certainly it is, there is that old saying "locks keep honest people honest" and in effect that's what copyright does. In the end people are going to do what they want do but most people at heart are honest.

Is this going to be effective for combating crime which is its intended purpose? Hardly, I've lived in the same town my entire life and couldn't tell a replica badge from one that says the departments name but doesn't look like it.