SIMON HOUPTFrom Friday’s Globe and MailPublished on Friday, Oct. 16, 2009 12:00AM EDTLast updated on Saturday, Oct. 17, 2009 2:59AM EDT1 Once upon a time, there were ads and there were scams, and never the twain did meet. But with the industry being embarrassed over a handful of notorious scam ads - creatively edgy spots made to grab industry attention without being seen by the public, such as the ad supposedly made in the name of the World Wildlife Fund that used Sept. 11 imagery - awards shows have come down hard. This week, the Cannes Lions declared a ban on the practice but then said it wouldn’t necessarily ban agencies that do it. Way to take a stand, Cannes!2 Once upon a time, there was punk and there was the law, and never the twain did meet. But the seventies was a long time ago, and now punk is just another form of intellectual property guarded by sabre-toothed lawyers. The sine qua non of punk bands, the Sex Pistols has thrown its legal team against the British frozen treat purveyor the Icecreamists, claiming the company’s “God Save the Cream” ad campaign too closely resembles the packaging of the band’s 1977 tear-up, God Save the Queen. Somewhere, we’re sure, Sid Vicious is spinning.3 Once upon a time, the words stayed on the outside of the cereal box. Now, in a bid to differentiate one of its iconic brands from imitators,Kellogg’s U.K. division will be experimenting with laser etching of its name on its Corn Flakes. The company says consumers seem confused by the profusion of private-label flakey corn offerings and may mistakenly believe Kellogg manufactures cereals for house brands. It seems to us the cereal giant could have clarified matters with a simple statement on its packaging. But then, we wouldn’t be writing about it, now, would we?4 Once upon a time, people in Kentucky had a sense of humour. (We actually don’t know if that’s true; let’s just say it is.) But an ad promoting Louisville to its own citizens has turned some of them off, even as it imitates one designed to turn them on. Possibility City is a mock erectile dysfunction spot, complete with faux medical warnings (”Happiness lasting more than four hours … does not require the assistance of a physician.”) One local politician complained: “I’m not sure that’s how you want your city portrayed.” Right: Because it would be a tragedy if people thought Louisville were fun.5 Once upon a time, mesothelioma referred only to a malignant lung tumour that is often caused by exposure to asbestos, but this week it also became known as the most expensive search keyword: In September, it was selling on Google for $99.44 (U.S.) a click, according to a new AdGooroo study. Why so much? Client-hungry lawyers are willing to pay a lot to get their names in front of people with terminal illnesses. So yesterday, just for fun, we clicked on one of the links three times. Somewhere in Texas, we figure there’s a lawyer who wants to know why he just spent $298.32.BLOGGERS NOTE: #5 is my favorite.  I think I’ll be clicking on the links as well