This is the
frowny emoticon, the logo of
Despair, Inc.
Recently, Despair was awarded a trademark today for :-( . They have announced (see http://www.despair.com/demotivators/frownonthis.html) they are suing all e-mail users who infringe upon their trademark:
At a press conference, Despair's COO, Dr. E.L.Kersten, announced his intentions to sue "anyone and everyone who uses the so-called 'frowny' emoticon, or our trademarked logo, in their written email correspondence. Ever."
;-)Just in case you don't get over to read the article (a great piece of satire if I do say so myself), although it is true that this is their trademark, the lawsuit announcement on their website is not meant seriously, but as social commentary on intellectual property.