@SG, you may not have "joined" but make no mistake, you're one of us like it or not!
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I know that "official folks" here can't really say "ignore it", and that's part of the reason that I didn't formally "join".
As for asking questions of Getty, they won't tell you anything other than "we won't provide that unless we go to court", and "you have to pay or we might take legal action".
So, I think that I've saved some people a lot of time with the above statement. Save your breath.
Just be forwarned that once you begin communications with these people, they'll bother you relentlessly.
Then, their lawyers will threaten you, and then they'll send it to collections which will pester you relentlessly.
There's a slim chance that you could be sued. So, now you know what to expect if you come forward.
Many pay just to make the threats stop.
Many people have "blogs" without much identifying info on them.
If you've been simply contacted by email, and they don't know your home address or workplace, I would not come forward.
Keep in mind that they won't know for sure if you're "ignoring them"; they may just think that a spam filter is intercepting their threats.
Had I "come forward", I could have been out nearly six figures by the time legal fees were included in the event of a loss.
Even if I had "won", I wouldn't have gotten my time and frustration back.
So just think about what kind of "fighting back" that you do.
"The Art of War" by Sun Tzu says "He will win who knows when to fight and when not to fight."
S.G.
So, you're saying that the Original Poster in the thread should call up Getty of MF and give them their contact info?
I strongly disagree if that's what you're saying.
In addition, I think that some of the arguments here assume that the trolls will go to the ends of the earth to find you.
That usually isn't the case. It's usually not worth it.
If you're quite difficult to find, it'll go away probably 50 percent of the time. I like those odds.
But, if people feel that they'll get off easier by calling up the trolls and saying "here I am", then that's an option, I guess.
If somebody does that, I hope that they'll report back and tell us what a "good deal" they got. lol.
If you're "laying low", then they "find you", it wouldn't change the material facts of your case.
Now, if you're actually "served" and you "disappear", there could be consequences.
Keep in mind that putting your name "out there" and exposing your communications with the trolls (while amusing) can get you into more heat than "laying low".
I wouldn't bait them too much. If they serve you (even out of spite), you're going to lay out a lot of cash to defend yourself.
If you get sued, you have to file a defence.
But, it's not my money, I guess...
Just my opinions.
S.G.
With all due respect to Matt, A lot has changed since Matt's "final response" to Getty in 2008. They now RESPOND to those questions asked regarding "proof" of registration and ownership. Granted, it is B.S. responses such as "those things will be disclosed during the discovery process". So for the "new comers", it appears that they have no intention of backing down with regard to these questions. I also strongly feel that a statement made by Matt in his first paragraph of his final letter made a HUGE impact...
"I have already taken it upon myself to consult with a well-established attorney that is more than familiar with copyright and intellectual property.". BAM.....end of story IMO.
Well if it has "always" been Getty's response to make the "empty threats" of "showing proof during the discovery process", then I feel even more strongly that you should "lawyer up" in order to make the letters stop entirely.
So again, you can lawyer up, or if your case is very strong you can go back and forth like Mcfilms & Lucia until you actually hear the words that they are "no longer pursuing the case" or, you can ignor all further correspondence after their "empty threats" which could be like Matt described as "Chinese water torture"........NO PROBLEM!
I know that "official folks" here can't really say "ignore it", and that's part of the reason that I didn't formally "join".
No offense taken in this discussion, so we are all good.
You make up the fighting rules for which you can win.
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