Game of Thrones broadcaster HBO has accused US president Donald Trump of trademark infringement following his bizarre “sanctions are coming” movie poster tweet.
Mr Trump posted the dramatic movie poster-style picture of himself, staring into the distance, in front of a title: “Sanctions are coming, November 5.”
It was in the same font, and style, which HBO uses to promote Game of Thrones. It is a play on words on the famous Game of Thrones line "Winter is Coming," a theme which features regularly throughout the show's seven series.
HBO hit back at Trump in a statement today: “We were not aware of this messaging and would prefer our trademark not be misappropriated for political purposes.”
In a separate riposte, HBO’s Twitter account also posted: “How do you say trademark misuse in Dothraki?” Dothkari is a language spoken in the show’s fantasy universe.
Game of Thrones star Maisie Williams wasn’t in the mood, either, tweeting back to the president: “Not today.”
Mr Trump’s tweet was referring to Washington's decision to reimpose sanctions on Iran.
On Monday, the US will reintroduce sanctions on Iran's vital oil sales and banking sectors. It is trying to force Iran to scrap its nuclear energy and ballistic missile programmes.
The president appeared to be undeterred by HBO’s complaints, however. He pinned the tweet to the top of his profile, meaning it’s the first post visitors to his page see.
