It's Official: LAT/WP vs Free Republic Settles

LAT/WP vs Free Republic ^ | June 19, 2002 | Jim Robinson

[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

[CedarDave]

I'd bet less than half a dozen ever make such a request or demand.

I'll take that bet. If six or less have made that request by the first FReepathon of 2003, I'll contribute an extra $50. If seven or more have decimated our posting privledges, I'm not sure FR will be worth my supporting.

[kristinn]

If you've been following the troubles that WorldNetDaily has been having in trying to get a hard press pass to cover the U.S. Senate, you might think otherwise.

The mainstream press, with the blessings of the Senate, control access by reporters and news organizations to the Senate. By controlling access, they control the news. The average citizen cannot get the access that the press does. Therefore, Congress, via the mainstream press, controls what news citizens get. That's not what our founding fathers had in mind.

But by getting exclusive access to our government--granted by the government--the news generated should belong to the People, and not to the news organizations, so that we can keep tabs on our government.

[maxwell]

Thank you chickie...

I forgot to ping the S&M crew though... and 2-2...

FRiend ping

[SW6906]

Congratulations! A victory long-fought and well-deserved.

[pyx]

This is no bigger blow to liberty than a pimple on an elephants rear.

Well, let's hope so.
Butt things are relative. :) [Pun intended]

[Neets]

You crazy nut you....FR wouldn't be the same with out your insane in the membrane ass!!!!! (((HUGS))

[xsmommy]

i just now figured out that doubled=2-2

[swheats]

Great news. Long live FreeRepublic

[John Robinson]

Using FreeRepublic as a vehicle to circumvent Big Media's websites only makes their case stronger. The nature of FreeRepublic should be the same with or without full text posting.

FreeRepublic argued under the Fair Use provisions of the Copyright Act that it was allowed to repost full length material for purposes of discussion, and that this was necessary because the original material was subject to change without notice, including complete removal/destruction of the subject material. The judge didn't see it that way. "That's all she wrote."

We will have to be more creative and work harder to keep archive material within grasp, and to be alerted when the facts mysteriously change, but that shouldn't be a problem with a little bit of applied technology and some sweat.

JMHO.

[WhyisaTexasgirlinPA]

Maxie........we would do nothing less for you.....well, ok maybe a little less....but not much.........;^)

[MeekOneGOP]

ROFL ! Thanks, and don't ever change, FRiend !

[Madame Dufarge]

CONGRATULATIONS!!!

Thanks for fighting for all of us.

Sleep well.

[maxwell]

FR wouldn't be the same with out your insane in the membrane ass!!!!! (((NAKED HUGS))

I know, chickie... ;)

[Jim Robinson]

Just keep on smiling, that's the important thing. :)

Thanks,

Jim

[John Robinson]

That's a good argument in favor of this case. It would have been a good one to bring forth in court.

[Snowy]

[BADJOE]

Your on. If I lose the bet, I'll give the extra $50.00

FR wins either way : )

[maxwell]

i just now figured out that doubled=2-2

Yeppers... Bwahaha... Makes me think back on the other reason why I started calling s/him that in the first place... Bwahaha... Something about ballet clothes...

[maxwell]

;)

[CounterCounterCulture]

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.

Whew! You fought the good fight and came out of it in one piece. Yes, it's a pity the hollowed words of the WP and LAT will no longer grace our forum, but somehow we'll survive this "loss." We come out of it to fight another day.

Hey! Let's have a party next month in, say, Fresno to celebrate the end of this ordeal!