anyone here a lawyer, or know any lawyers that can deal with copyright issues?

I have done some really basic copyright stuff in law classes as part of my business studies, and also in acquiring rights to a novella for screenplay adaptation, I learned a little about copyright issues. But I really am not qualified to right a letter or anything like that, sorry. Just really using this thread as a springboard for my own boasting.

 

http://law.freeadvice.com/intellectual_property/copyright_law/

http://www.free-legal-document.com/copyright-law.html

 

Our very own Lockout2 is a crimnal lawyer and Junior (I hope I am not selling her short) DA in California. She can probably help steer you towards a lawyer that can help you.

 

Jimmy James (Defense atty) , Phunwin and a couple other VIP'ers are also attorneys. You may want to check with you local bar association or attorney referral service in your area though.

 

I'm so not the guy you want help from. Even when I know my stuff (and I do, trust me), you'd rather not be in need of my services.

I have no idea about this area of law. It's not my specialty. If it were my specialty, I'd hate life.

With all of that said and with the further warning that I'm not even a licensed attorney in 49 out of 50 states (which probably includes yours) and that you should consult an attorney who deals with this stuff in your jurisdiction, this is my take:

Your website looks an awful lot like their website. Half of your domain name matches half of theirs. It's pretty easy for me to understand why they have sent you this letter. If they get you to do what they want, they're happy. If you don't respond or choose not to do what they demand, they have plenty of options. You also have some options. It seems to me these are your options:

1) Do nothing. That doesn't seem like such a good idea. You might find yourself getting sued if you do that.
2) Handle this yourself by doing as they ask. It doesn't seem like they're saying they won't sue you if you do this, so I'd be wary of this option if I were in your shoes.
3) Handle this yourself by responding, challenging their accusation and indicating you won't be dong as they demand. It seems to me you're not comfortable enough with the subject matter to make this a good option, or else you wouldn't be looking for help on a football message board.
4) Talk to a lawyer qualified and licensed appropriately to deal with this. It looks to me like that's your best call. A lawyer that does this stuff may want $250 for an hour to talk about it and may be able to set you straight with just that consult. Depending on how serious you are about this site, he may advise you it's best to give them what they want. He may advise you that it's best to fight this out, but that may be expensive. I can't predict what an attorney might advise. I don't have enough information or enough knowledge about this matter.

I'd call this serious business and would definitely do something if I were you. It's really up to you, though.

 

Jimmy James, attorney at law...

No, no..

Professional defense attorney, James. Jimmy James.

Neither has a ring to it. Crap, I really shouldn't have taken this career in catchy coinages.

 

Hey Rem, I'm out on the west coast right now recooperating, but send me a PM and I can steer you where you need to go. xo ;-)

 

You're the best ! Thanks for helping.

That said, I think he's rowing upstream. It appears that he copied the look and feel of some parts of the site and down right plagiarized other parts

 

Not good Mal, that can turn real ugly, real quick!!