Universal's legal action against 11th Hour
POSTED BY: CABridges
UPDATED: Monday, November 13, 2006 09:47
VIEWED: 59280
PAGE 12 of 17
Quote:
Originally posted by Arbas:
Good time to close the thread if it's causing problems 11th hour - sorry if I've dropped you in the clarts with any of the posts :(
I don't wish to halt the discussion, after all this is a discussion board, and the general topic is important and one which affects all fans... some more than others.
I just wanted to clarify some important points in my particular situation because I saw some posts which were going in a troubling direction. They offered opinions that were based on pure speculation in the absence of important facts.
We need to remember that others may be watching...
11th Hour
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I wish I could read the full email. Or, more accurately, have my hubby read it. (He's a legal geek by nature, but not by trade.)
This really really sucks. It seems awfully unfair to be biting the hand that helped feed them. :(
Seriously, I would pitch in a couple bucks to a legal fund or a pay-the-bloodsuckers-9k-to-keep-11th-out-of-jail fund. It wouldn't be much, but if we all pitched in a couple bucks, it would sooo add up!
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[ http://www.fireflyfans.net/thread.asp?b=20&t=22978 ]Join the Anniversary Job!
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so... are you still suffering under the "demand"? Is this a lawsuit? hasn't 72 hours passed so far? What's the sich? We *will* help with legal fees if you're going to court, so make some sort of link and don't be shy no matter what you were legally guilty of. Like previously encouraged fans knew schmutsky about copyright law...
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Quote:
Originally posted by mima:
so... are you still suffering under the "demand"? Is this a lawsuit? hasn't 72 hours passed so far? What's the sich? We *will* help with legal fees if you're going to court, so make some sort of link and don't be shy no matter what you were legally guilty of. Like previously encouraged fans knew schmutsky about copyright law...
A lawyer has contacted Universal's law firm on my behalf. He was able to get an extension on the 72 hour deadline. So now I have a bit more time to gather certain materials together and then make contact again.
I was curious to hear from Universal's legal firm what was the most offending element in my shop. The communication was that there was a "logo" on the backs of some of the shirts that was the problem.
I've never used the term "logo" in my shop to describe one of my images, and I've certainly never offered merchandise that had any official Firefly series or Serenity movie logos. The only image I can think of that they could be referring to (and it was removed from my shop last weekend) is below:
Now y'all take a look... is this image a copy of the Serenity movie logo?
Both the English and Chinese words "serenity" are still legal to use, even if you put them together. The image does stand on its own, even for someone who never saw the movie.
This must be what going mad feels like...
11th Hour
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What the......
No ruttin way....that isn't even remotely close to anything copyrightable.
I agree....this IS apparently what going mad feels like. Alcohol and meditation...not sure in which order, and not sure that I shouldn't throw in some large bore weapons and a pack of rabid beagles...
"We gotta go to that crappy town where I'M a hero..."
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Why don't YOU copyright that image and make it YOUR "business" logo? Then countersue :)
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Maybe I missed it in previous posts, but I don't see how you can copyright 2 Chinese letters or the word serenity. Seems like that would be copyrighting the word "flower" or something.
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Quote:
Originally posted by Whimsicalnbrainpan:
You want to do something about this? E-mail them.
Below is a link to the Universal Studios contact page go to the General and Miscellaneous link in the Corporate section and both the Character and Internet links in the Licensing section.
http://www.universalstudios.com/homepage/html/contact_us/contact_links
.html
I'd like to suggest everyone email several of the contacts. Universal is a big company it's not like they'll realize you've sent multiple copies (unless you put all the email addresses in one email).
It only takes a minute to copy and paste to each one so I took the liberty of emailing their corporate, licensing, and entertainment groups. I figure the people with the money, the people with the lawyers, and the people trying to get me to see another movie all need to know my concerns...
Remember strings of obsenity do not help 11th hour's cause. You can get your point across without being an ass.
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I just want to say that I do genuinely appreciate those folks who want to do something to help. But we do need to proceed with cool heads, and I keep getting the feeling that there must have been some communication breakdown for Universal's legal representation to take the stance that it has.
The "swirl" image that I posted above was one of the images that was put into question in my shop. I honestly didn't think it was an infringement, but I didn't argue and removed it from my shop anyway. The information that I received today indicates that the main issue with my shop was a "logo" on the backs of some shirts. Pending further details, the above image is the only one I can think of that could have been mistaken for a logo.
Until more details come in, it's best to refrain from any angry communications with Universal that we may later regret. I'm not too happy myself with the waiting and not knowing, while a big scary legal threat hangs over my head... but, here I am, there it is, and there's still a lot of unanswered questions.
My sincere thanks to everyone for their expressions of loyalty, and righteous indignation, but I would hate to be the cause of a big batch of negativity toward Universal if this all turns out to be some terrible mistake.
However, I am a big believer that even if you lay down arms... keep 'em handy...
11th Hour
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See, I'd thought it might be about the cards.
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Ain't. We. Just.
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