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Being Bullied, how much of a threat is this guy?

Discussion in 'Legal Issues' started by sarahk, Dec 14, 2007.

  1. #1
    In the middle of last year there was a thread here about Squidoo and click fraud. I blogged about it, as you do.

    thread: http://forums.digitalpoint.com/showthread.php?t=114869

    blog entry: http://www.itamer.com/click-fraud/298/

    I "named and shamed" and the guy is somewhat unhappy. Unable to see that he can out seo my little site he's getting all hot and heavy and making legal threats.

    The share of my adsense earnings he's welcome to! I don't even know why I bother having it on my blog (fills up space I guess).

    However, how much of a threat is Steve Rayman?
    I haven't told lies and he's corroborated with my post.

    Is this the classic "cease and desist" letter that doesn't get followed up but is "worth a try"?
     
    sarahk, Dec 14, 2007 IP
    1 person likes this.
  2. browntwn

    browntwn Illustrious Member

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    #2
    I would not give it any concern.

    His claim is for a percentage of profits because you talked about him. He has no right not to be talked about without being compensated. I don;t have any idea what legal theory he would pursue on that basis. Simply, that is what every news article and blog does - talk about people or companies, etc. They do not have to pay for the privilege of talking about someone.
     
    browntwn, Dec 14, 2007 IP
  3. sarahk

    sarahk iTamer Staff

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    #3
    Thanks. I wasn't too sure about his claim to "own" his name. I know mine isn't unique and from a quick google it's clear his isn't either. Of course, if he has a registered trademark... but I can still blog about Apple for instance, even though the company has registered their name for that specific context.
     
    sarahk, Dec 14, 2007 IP
  4. CountryBoy

    CountryBoy Prominent Member

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    #4
    He may own his name but that by no means gives him the monopoly on its use - what about all the other Steven T. Dickheads equally entitled to use it?
    His email confirms that everything you said was accurate, so you've got nothing at all to worry about.
    Do not be flustered by this fool.
     
    CountryBoy, Dec 14, 2007 IP
  5. chaka42

    chaka42 Peon

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    #5
    His name would be considered in the "public domain." If what you originally posted was accurate, there's nothing he can do.
     
    chaka42, Dec 14, 2007 IP
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  6. CountryBoy

    CountryBoy Prominent Member

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    #6
    ...Incidentally what does the post-nominal 'DFS' mean?
    Is that some Walty made up qualification?
     
    CountryBoy, Dec 14, 2007 IP
  7. browntwn

    browntwn Illustrious Member

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    #7
    I was wondering that too, but it just came to me seeing your post. I assume it stands for Director of Funeral Services - since he owns or runs funeral homes.
     
    browntwn, Dec 14, 2007 IP
  8. bluegrass special

    bluegrass special Peon

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    #8
    The only way he could own his name is if he had it trademarked (names cannot be copyrighted). His lensmaster profile shows he is in the US. He has no registered trademark in the US (the only active trademarks containing rayman are for Ubi Soft - a game company). As far as common law trademarks, that would only apply if his name was famous. I really doubt that if you went to someone on the street and said, "who do you think of when I say Steve Rayman?" that they would answer, "isn't he that mortician from Indiana?" Please.

    While it has been established in the US that bloggers are not covered by the same protections as journalists, it is well established that people can be reported on while using names (assuming they are not minors). So, his argument about owning the name is worthless. That means all he is left with is libel. However since he freely admits that he put up the lens in his post, and you do not make any claims as to his intentions of doing so; that claim also is meritless.
     
    bluegrass special, Dec 14, 2007 IP
    sarahk likes this.
  9. Colbyt

    Colbyt Notable Member

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    #9
    If your facts are correct and you mis-quoted no one, I would not worry about this guy.
     
    Colbyt, Dec 14, 2007 IP
  10. Divisive Cottonwood

    Divisive Cottonwood Peon

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    #10
    Steve Rayman: “My corporation owns 5 funeral homes and 3 cemeteries. Currently looking at 2 more cemeteries to purchase by 2007.”

    What a creep, it's like something from a horror film.
     
    Divisive Cottonwood, Dec 14, 2007 IP
  11. anarmyofme

    anarmyofme Well-Known Member

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    #11
    You could also argue that Google Adsense ads were not generated from the keyword "Steven Rayman." If it gets ugly, you could change the name on your blog to Steven R.
     
    anarmyofme, Dec 14, 2007 IP
  12. CountryBoy

    CountryBoy Prominent Member

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    #12
    Why's it going to get ugly?
    This guy hasn't got a leg to stand on!
    And it matters not a jot if the ads are generated from his name or not.
     
    CountryBoy, Dec 14, 2007 IP
  13. definitive

    definitive Well-Known Member

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    #13
    I post that email he sent on your blog so everyone can have a good laugh at this douche
     
    definitive, Dec 14, 2007 IP
  14. RectangleMan

    RectangleMan Notable Member

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    #14
    Don't reply. Let the guy get a lawyer that might explain to him his position is completely baseless in law.
     
    RectangleMan, Dec 14, 2007 IP
  15. Colbyt

    Colbyt Notable Member

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    #15
    That is very solid advice. Wish I had said that! :)


    I would never be concerned about a homegrown C & D. When I got one via registed mail from a licensed attorney then I would consider my options.

    Any idiot can copy and paste one into an email.
     
    Colbyt, Dec 15, 2007 IP
  16. browntwn

    browntwn Illustrious Member

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    #16


    Who sent the C&D is much less important than whether the C&D regards a real issue that should be of concern. On this issue, I wouldn't give a C&D from an attorney any more weight. Nor would I discount a legitimate C&D written by a lay person about their own site in other cases.

    Simply it is the facts not the sender that matter. In this case, there is no case, regardless of who sent the C&D.
     
    browntwn, Dec 15, 2007 IP
  17. Swefx

    Swefx Guest

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    #17
    Ask him to show you the laws that support his claim that you have to remove his name from your post. That'll screw him.
     
    Swefx, Dec 15, 2007 IP
  18. lpstong

    lpstong Notable Member

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    #18
    It appears he is blowing smoke. My first intention if I were in his position would have gone for a lawyer first to serve papers. So I would see he is just bullying you like you have said.

    My other thought was libel. If he indeed did correct his bad decisions and misakes. Would you still be held libel for you blog post?

    And indeed what is with the DFS?
     
    lpstong, Dec 15, 2007 IP
  19. CountryBoy

    CountryBoy Prominent Member

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    #19
    No, if he did correct his bad decisions it only reinforces the fact that he made them in the first place. Him retracting his previous statements doesn't alter the fact that he actually made them - as he confirmed in his comments.

    DFS is a furniture store here in the UK.

    CountryBoy MDPF (Master of Digital Point Forums :p)
     
    CountryBoy, Dec 15, 2007 IP
  20. Fka200

    Fka200 Guest

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    #20
    This thread will now show up in Google for his name. Stuff gets indexed pretty fast around here. My blog fka200.com is still trying to outrank my profile on this damn forum on Yahoo. LOL.
     
    Fka200, Dec 15, 2007 IP
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