Is the little crossing man dead or alive?

Po-tay-to, po-ta-to. We've all got a little soft spot for the Ampelmännchen -- he's the sort of Ostalgie that everyone can agree on. As this article points out, they're everywhere here in Berlin, and as cute as he is, I've gotten chewed out harshly for ignoring him -- "Arschficker!" From an old man, no less.

Well, there's a big hullabaloo because Joachim Rossberg, who controlled the patent, isn't manufacturing enough stuff. It seems he wants to sit on certain products -- especially Ampelmännchen beer, which is unforgivable -- and so another, more pliant, company is snatching the copyright. (BTW, has anyone drank the Erich's Revenge firewater? It's touristy, but I really want to try it.)

They're making a decision into an East vs. West thing. Oh boy. Capitalism triumphs again. The thing is: who is really so loyal to Rossberg to claim this? We're talking about tourist merchandise, and they want only to be made. Keeping a stranglehold on a design patent has nothing to do with it. He's going to go where he has to. If you love the Ampelmännchen, set him free.