Here's Why Some Internet Celebrities Grudgingly Allow Brands to Rip Them Off

In the age of Etsy, trademark enforcement can block fan advocacy

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What do you do when your catchphrase becomes so popular, major brands start using it on their own merchandise without permission or compensation? If you're the VlogBrothers, you reluctantly do nothing.

The YouTube star siblings John and Hank Green have long ended their clips with the mantra, "Don't forget to be awesome." Its acronym, DFTBA, is even the name of their indie record label, which has supported other online celebrities like Smosh, NicePeter (of "Epic Rap Battles" fame) and Rhett and Link.

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