Posted on 06/19/2002 1:54:11 PM PDT by Jim Robinson
I just received official word that our settlement with the LAT/WP in their alleged copyright infringement and unfair competion suit against Free Republic (click Source link above for complete history of the case) is completely finalized with the court. I do not have a copy of the final order yet, but the basic terms are as follows:
- Unless we receive prior written permission on an article by article basis, Free Republic agrees to continue posting only excerpts (as allowed by fair use) and links from any of the LAT/WP or related publications.
- Free Republic agrees to remove all full text copies of any LAT/WP and related publications copyrighted articles from its archives and servers and to destroy all copies of same.
- Neither party is awarded any damages, attorney fees or costs except that Free Republic agrees to pay the Los Angeles Times $5,000 and the Washington Post $5,000 (these negotiated amounts have already been paid).
I will post the entire final order including the list of related publications as soon as I receive a copy and get it scanned in.
Well, my fingers are not cold and dead and my keyboard has not been ripped away. While this is not entirely a win for FR, neither is it a crushing defeat. Free Republic is alive and well and the fight against liberalism continues on. It's a crying shame that the hallowed words of the WP/LAT will no longer grace our pages, but, somehow, I am sure we will manage to live on without them.
And despite what our detractors may say, we have not committed any crimes or broken any laws and we have not admitted to any guilt. We have negotiated a mutual agreement and settlement with the LAT/WP and have agreed upon satisfactory terms for continuing forward without having to spend the rest of our lives in court.
Many thanks to all of you for your past and continuing support.
Regards.
Jim Robinson
I have it from a good source, the only people who still subscribe to either paper are those who own birds in cages.
Michael-thanks for the ping. I missed this one despite checking this place more often than I should.
Compost and Slimes Pressholes: F you. We're still here and getting stronger every day. To the extent I can work and help to see you destroyed, I will. *spit*
I agree with alisasny, we don't need the LA Times ot the Wash. Post, there are numerous other sources that carry the same NEWS articles.
Sounds good, Brityank. Let us celebrate this every year :) Let us plan our next National meet on this day to celebrate this victory.
Great idea!
Mr. Jim, as one who has been the defendant in several nasty multi-million dollar lawsuits, it appears to me that you and Free Republic came out OK. This matter has been in the back of my mind all along.
It is, as you said, about a good a settlement as could be gained in the circumstances, and I congratulate you and all who helped to gain it.
I also thank you for clinging to the Constitution and your principles through such an abominable attempt to crush free speech when it cuts across the grain of liberalism.
Wish we could have scored the Big Win, though -- being able to archive their articles. The denial of your Fair Use claim was an absolute travesty of justice. We should have been able to record, and demonstrate over time, the liberal lies that emanate from the LAT and the WP.
But at least Free Republic, and you, are out of danger.
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