New company established with the purpose of suing bloggers!

Discussion in 'Legal Issues' started by Rian, Aug 31, 2010.

  1. #1
    Rian, Aug 31, 2010 IP
  2. Business Attorney

    Business Attorney Active Member

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    #2
    That's interesting.

    Unfortunately, I fear that companies like that won't spend the time and effort to go after the blatant copiers, many of whom seem to be located in hard to reach places.

    My concern is they will make unreasonable demands from small businesses that might post a single article without permission on an otherwise compliant website. They know that their economic damages are negligible in that case and that their statutory damages are likely to be at or near the the statutory minimum of $750, but they file a claim seeking thousands of dollars

    The business can't ignore the suit and allow a default judgment. On the other hand, the legal costs of defending the suit, or at least limiting the damages to the statutory minimum, may approach or exceed the amount demanded. The result is that the small business is essentially forced into settling at an amount that bears no reasonable relationship to either the copyright owner's actual damages or the minimum statutory damages.

    I don't like to see copyright infringement. I am happy to see copyright owners defend their rights. But when third parties. whose sole motive is to make a profit, enter the picture, I am afraid that they will be less concerned with stopping the theft and more concerned with finding the easiest way to make a few dollars.
     
    Business Attorney, Aug 31, 2010 IP
  3. Rian

    Rian Well-Known Member

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    #3
    I am 100% with you on this Business Attorney, and I think that is exactly what this company is about. Profiting all the way...
     
    Rian, Aug 31, 2010 IP
  4. nightcrawlers

    nightcrawlers Active Member

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    #4
    I thought its a Non-Profit organization, but they are established to make profits. I don't think they will get some exposure.
     
    nightcrawlers, Aug 31, 2010 IP
  5. Rian

    Rian Well-Known Member

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    #5
    Yes, apparently they file a suit for tens of thousands of Dollars, but will be willing to settle out of court for a few thousand Dollars. Obviously they do need to generate some form of income. It also appears they buy the copyright to the content, so they will need funds to buy that as well. I think it is indeed a huge money-making busines...
     
    Rian, Aug 31, 2010 IP
  6. razz.jazz

    razz.jazz Peon

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    #6
    Its sad that companies do this.
     
    razz.jazz, Sep 1, 2010 IP
  7. RonBrown

    RonBrown Well-Known Member

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    #7
    That's a very cyncial view, but I'm afraid you are probably 100% correct.

    Having content stolen is annoying for the original author but as you say this will do little to nothing to stop that happening. It seems to be just a ploy by a pile of shysters to exploit money from the unwary and largely innocent.
     
    RonBrown, Sep 1, 2010 IP
  8. tepid

    tepid Peon

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    #8
    That is the reason why we see claims of few millions for something that's not even worth a few bucks. :|
     
    tepid, Sep 4, 2010 IP