Mainstream media is fighting alternative media with copyright laws!

MikeWB · July 23, 2010, 06:25:54 PM

They're after the alternative media sites like Above Top Secret, God Like Productions and even InfoWars!

Righthaven, Attributor.com and the list of lawsuit filing companies just grows.

QuoteNewspaper Chain's New Business Plan: Copyright Suits
By David Kravets July 22, 2010 | 3:29 pm | Categories: The Courts, intellectual property
Steve Gibson has a plan to save the media world's financial crisis — and it's not the iPad.

Borrowing a page from patent trolls, the CEO of fledgling Las Vegas-based Righthaven has begun buying out the copyrights to newspaper content for the sole purpose of suing blogs and websites that re-post those articles without permission. And he says he's making money.

"We believe it's the best solution out there," Gibson says. "Media companies' assets are very much their copyrights. These companies need to understand and appreciate that those assets have value more than merely the present advertising revenues."

Righthaven CEO Steve Gibson is embarking on a copyright trolling litigation campaign
Gibson's vision is to monetize news content on the backend, by scouring the internet for infringing copies of his client's articles, then suing and relying on the harsh penalties in the Copyright Act — up to $150,000 for a single infringement — to compel quick settlements. Since Righthaven's formation in March, the company has filed at least 80 federal lawsuits against website operators and individual bloggers who've re-posted articles from the Las Vegas Review-Journal, his first client.

Now he's talking expansion. The Review-Journal's publisher, Stephens Media in Las Vegas, runs over 70 other newspapers in nine states, and Gibson says he already has an agreement to expand his practice to cover those properties. (Stephens Media declined comment, and referred inquiries to Gibson.) Hundreds of lawsuits, he says, are already in the works by year's end. "We perceive there to be millions, if not billions, of infringements out there," he says.

Righthaven's lawsuits come on the heels of similar campaigns targeting music and movie infringers. The Recording Industry Association of America sued about 20,000 thousand file sharers over five years, before recently winding down its campaign. And a coalition of independent film producers called the U.S. Copyright Group was formed this year, already unleashing as many as 20,000 federal lawsuits against BitTorrent users accused of unlawfully sharing movies.

The RIAA's lawsuits weren't a money maker, though — the record labels spent $64 million in legal costs, and recovered only $1.3 million in damages and settlements. The independent film producers say they nonetheless expect to turn a profit from their lawsuits.

"People are settling with us," says Thomas Dunlap, the head lawyer of the Copyright Group's litigation. The out-of-court settlements, the number of which he declined to divulge, are ranging in value from $1,500 to $3,500 — about the price it would cost defendants to retain a lawyer. The RIAA's settlements, which it collected in nearly every case, were for roughly the same amounts.

But experts say that settling the Righthaven cases, many of which target bloggers or aggregation sites, might not be as easy. The RIAA lawsuits often accused peer-to-peer users of sharing dozens of music files, meaning the risk of going to trial was financially huge for the defendants.

The same is true of the BitTorrent lawsuits. The movie file sharers are accused of leeching and seeding bits of movie files, contributing to the widespread and unauthorized distribution of independent movies such as Hurt Locker, Cry of the Wolf and others.

But each of the Righthaven suits charge one, or a handful, of infringements. Defendants might be less willing to settle a lawsuit stemming from their posting of a single news article, despite the Copyright Act's whopping damages. "You'd have to go after a lot of people for a relatively small amount of money," says Jonathan Band, a Washington, D.C. copyright lawyer. "That is a riskier proposition."

Gibson claims Righthaven has already settled several lawsuits, the bulk of which are being chronicled by the Las Vegas Sun, for undisclosed sums.

One defendant who is ready to settle is Fred Bouzek, a Virginia man who runs bikernews.net, a user-generated site about hardcore biker news. He was sued last week on allegations the site ran a Las Vegas Review-Journal story about police going under cover with the Hell's Angels.

Even if he had grounds to fight the case, he says it would be cheaper to settle. "The only choice I have is to try to raise money and offer a settlement," he says.

Bill Irvine of Phoenix says he is fighting infringement allegations targeting AboveTopSecret.com, the site he controls under The Above Network. The site is accused of infringing a Review-Journal article on the Gulf of Mexico oil spill. The site is a user-generated discussion on "conspiracies, UFO's, paranormal, secret societies, political scandals, new world order, terrorism, and dozens of related topics" and gets about 5 million hits monthly, Irvine says.

Righthaven, he says, should have sent him a takedown notice under the Digital Millennium Copyright Act, because the article was posted by a user, not the site itself.

"In this case, we feel this suit does not have merit," he says. "We are confident we will have success challenging it."

Gibson says he's just getting started. Righthaven has other media clients that he won't name until the lawsuits start rolling out, he says.

"Frankly, I think we're having tremendous success at a number of levels," Gibson says. "We file new complaints every day."

Here's a thread about how Reuters with Attributor.com is suing GLP: http://www.godlikeproductions.com/forum ... 139887/pg1

QuoteAs you probably already know GLP is under attack from Attributor Corporation who is acting on behalf of Reuters News Service...

I think perhaps Reuters is not fully aware of the extortion like tactics Attributor Corporation is using on their behalf.

I also think Reuters might not realize just how negatively allowing Attributor Corporation to act on their behalf in this manner affects their reputation amongst consumers.

I think it would be very helpful if each and every one of you could take the time to hand craft an email to Reuters explaining to them just how dissatisfied you are with their company for employing an agency like Attributor Corporation to go around the internet and bully webmasters out of licensing fees, especially when it concerns free and open discussion of the news on forums.

Remember if you refuse to play ball with these people their stated business model is to drive you out of business by going after your advertisers and ultimately to drive you off the internet all together because you can no longer afford to pay your hosting fees.

They have managed to get the GLP google adsense account pulled because we dared to "discuss the news" and copy / paste their articles onto GLP WITH LINKS BACK TO THEM for the purpose of discussion. This is just low down and dirty.

Some suggested talking points for your comments to Reuters are:

* Reuters relationship with Attributor Corporation is harming their brand name and good reputation with consumers.

* Reuters actually benefits from the free exposure and links back to their website when their articles are discussed on internet forums.

* These strong handed actions taken by Attributor Corporation on behalf of Reuters have caused you to boycott Reuters News Service in your daily web browsing habits and you will not link to them in the future on your own personal websites.

* You will tell everyone you know and spread the word far and wide about how Reuters chooses to do business on the internet.

You can email your comments to Reuters general inquiry email address here:
investor.relations@thomsonreuters.com

Reuters Big Dog Personal Emails:
thomas.glocer@thomsonreuters.com - CEO
http://www.godlikeproductions.com/forum ... 141462/pg1
Post some more news about this if you find any.

rmstock · July 23, 2010, 07:31:58 PM

QuoteThey have managed to get the GLP google adsense account pulled because we dared to "discuss the news" and copy / paste their articles onto GLP WITH LINKS BACK TO THEM for the purpose of discussion. This is just low down and dirty.

This is quite amazing. It means google is not standing up for their own product Google AdSense and apparently fails to indemnify, defend and hold its Adsense Google Customers harmless from and against any and all third party claims, liability, loss etc. Now compare this with clause 14. Your Obligation to Indemnify. below :

AdSense Terms and Conditions :

Google AdSenseTM Online Standard Terms and Conditions

PLEASE READ VERY CAREFULLY THESE TERMS AND CONDITIONS AND THE FAQ BEFORE REGISTERING FOR THE GOOGLE ADSENSE ONLINE PROGRAM. PARTICIPATION IN THE GOOGLE ADSENSE ONLINE PROGRAM INDICATES THAT YOU ACCEPT THESE TERMS AND CONDITIONS. IF YOU DO NOT ACCEPT THESE TERMS AND CONDITIONS, PLEASE DO NOT REGISTER FOR OR PARTICIPATE IN THE GOOGLE ADSENSE ONLINE PROGRAM.

Introduction. This agreement ("Agreement") between You and Google Inc. ("Google") consists of these Google AdSense Online Program (the "Program") Standard Terms and Conditions ("Terms and Conditions"). A description of the Program, as generally offered by Google, is available at the Program Frequently Asked Questions ("FAQ") URL, located at https://www.google.com/adsense/faq, or such other URL as Google may provide from time to time. "You" or "Publisher" means any entity identified in an enrollment form submitted by the same or affiliated persons, and/or any agency or network acting on its (or their) behalf, which shall also be bound by the terms of this Agreement.

1. Program Participation. Participation in the Program is subject to Google's prior approval and Your continued compliance with the Program Policies ("Program Policies"), located at https://www.google.com/adsense/policies, and/or such other URL as Google may provide from time to time. Google reserves the right to refuse participation to any applicant or participant at any time in its sole discretion. By enrolling in the Program, You represent that You are at least 18 years of age and agree that Google may serve (a) third party and/or Google provided advertisements and/or other content (such third party provided advertisements, Google provided advertisements and other content, collectively, "Ads"), provided, however, that if Google serves non-compensated content, You will have the ability to opt out of receiving such content as part of the Program, (b) related Google queries and/or Ad search box(es) (collectively, "Links"), (c) Google Web and/or Site search results (collectively, "Search Results"), and/or (d) Google referral Ads ("Referral Buttons"), each in connection with the Web site(s), media player(s), video content and/or mobile content that You designate, or such other properties expressly authorized in writing by Google (including by electronic mail) (such other properties, "Other Properties"), and the Atom, RSS, or other feeds distributed through such Web site(s) , media player(s), video content, mobile content and/or Other Properties (each such Web site, media player, video content, mobile content, Other Property or feed, a "Property"). For the avoidance of doubt, any reference in this Agreement or the Program Policies to an individual "Web page", "Web site", "Web site page" or the like that is part of the Property will also mean feeds and media players distributed through such Web site. Multiple accounts held by the same individual or entity are subject to immediate termination unless expressly authorized in writing by Google (including by electronic mail). In some circumstances expressly authorized in writing by Google (including by electronic mail), You may enroll in the Program and create an account for the sole purpose of receiving payment from Google, and not, for purposes of clarification, for the purpose of displaying Ads, Links, Search Results and/or Referral Buttons on a Property. If, however, You subsequently use your Account to participate in the Program (i.e. for the purpose of displaying Ads, Links, Search Results and/or Referral Buttons on a Property), then such use of the Program will be governed by the terms of this Agreement. You must have and abide by an appropriate privacy policy that clearly discloses that third parties may be placing and reading cookies on your users' browser, or using web beacons to collect information, in the course of ads being served on your website. Your privacy policy should also include information about user options for cookie management.

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https://www.google.com/adsense/referrals, or such other URL as Google may provide from time to time. You agree to comply with the specifications provided by Google from time to time to enable proper tracking and reporting of Referral Events in connection with Your Property. You shall not promote or facilitate a Referral Event by any means other than displaying a Referral Button on the Property, unless expressly authorized in writing by Google (including by electronic mail).

o AdSense for Video. If you have elected to use AdSense for Video, Your participation is subject to your continued compliance with the AdSense for Video Program policies located at http://adsense.google.com/support/bin/a ... swer=73987 or the URL as Google may provide from time to time. All Ads (including Ads served in response to end user clicks on and queries entered into Links, if any) shall be (1) grouped by Google and displayed with Links (where applicable) to end users of the Property(ies) as Ad Unit(s) or (2) pre-, post- or interstitial roll in connection with third party video content, in each case in standard formats as offered generally by Google from time to time, as may be further described in the applicable policies. You acknowledge and agree that the Ads will be displayed on the Property in a video format approved by Google, and that such Ads: (i) shall only be displayed in connection with the Property(ies) and non-advertisement video content (collectively "Video Media"), all of which is subject to review and approval by Google in its discretion at any time; and (ii) shall only be requested in connection with end user initiated Video Media. In addition, You agree that You may only display one (1) Ad Unit within Your media player at any single time, unless otherwise approved by Google in writing.

o General; Serviced Pages; Filtering; Beta Features. You agree not to display on the same Web page in connection with which any Ad Unit, Ad, Link, Search Box, or Referral Button is displayed (a "Serviced Page") any advertisement(s) or content that an end user of Your Property(ies) would reasonably confuse with a Google advertisement or otherwise associate with Google. Certain Google services available as part of the Program may contain filtering capability, such as SafeSearch or AdSafe, that You may access through Your account. However, if You elect to enable any such filters, You acknowledge and agree that: (i) it is Your responsibility to enable such features in accordance with the specifications provided by Google, and (ii) Google does not and cannot commit that all results (including Ads, Links and Search Results) will be limited to results elected by enabling such filter(s). Some Program features are identified as "Beta" or otherwise unsupported ("Beta Features"). To the fullest extent permitted by law, Beta Features are provided "as is" and at Your option and risk. You shall not disclose to any third party any information from Beta Features, existence of non-public Beta Features or access to Beta Features. .
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3. Communications Solely With Google. You agree to direct to Google, and not to any advertiser, any communication regarding any Ad(s) or Link(s) displayed in connection with Your Property(ies).

4. Parties' Responsibilities. You are solely responsible for the Property(ies), including all content and materials, maintenance and operation thereof, the proper implementation of Google's specifications, and adherence to the terms of this Agreement, including compliance with the Program Policies. Google reserves the right to investigate, at its own discretion, any activity that may violate this Agreement, including but not limited to any use of a software application to access Ads, Links, Search Results, or Referral Buttons or to complete any Referral Event, or any engagement in any activity prohibited by this Agreement. Google is not responsible for anything related to Your Property(ies), including without limitation the receipt of queries from end users of Your Property(ies) or the transmission of data between Your Property(ies) and Google. In addition, Google shall not be obligated to provide notice to You in the event that any Ad, Link, Search Result, or Referral Button is not being displayed properly to, or Referral Event is not being completed properly by, end users of the Property(ies).

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17. Miscellaneous. This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of California, except for its conflicts of laws principles. Any dispute or claim arising out of or in connection with this Agreement shall be adjudicated in Santa Clara County, California. The parties specifically exclude from application to the Agreement the United Nations Convention on Contracts for the International Sale of Goods and the Uniform Computer Information Transactions Act. This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof. Any modifications to this Agreement must be made in a writing executed by both parties, by Your online acceptance of updated terms, or after Your continued participation in the Program after such terms have been updated by Google. The failure to require performance of any provision shall not affect a party's right to require performance at any time thereafter, nor shall a waiver of any breach or default of this Agreement constitute a waiver of any subsequent breach or default or a waiver of the provision itself. If any provision herein is held unenforceable, then such provision will be modified to reflect the parties' intention, and the remaining provisions of this Agreement will remain in full force and effect. You may not resell, assign, or transfer any of Your rights hereunder. Any such attempt may result in termination of this Agreement, without liability to Google. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Google may assign this Agreement to any affiliate at any time without notice. The relationship between Google and You is not one of a legal partnership relationship, but is one of independent contractors.

2008-02-25
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Timothy_Fitzpatrick · July 24, 2010, 12:28:29 AM

Even if they collapse disinforwars, Alex Jones will be well taken care of.

The Info Underground

Mainstream media is fighting alternative media with copyright laws!

MikeWB

rmstock

Timothy_Fitzpatrick