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Libs attacking ME! Internet posted satire images in the courts! My OPUS. TM Registered.
RegisteredMedia ^ | 08.03.07 | Registered

Posted on 08/03/2007 11:54:49 AM PDT by Registered

Many of you are familiar with the images I have created. For those of you that might not be that familiar you can see a gallery of images at www.registeredmedia.com/gallery and an overview of some of the many images that have made it into the mainstream.

Since 1998 I have been expressing my political point of view mostly through the graphics I have created in the form of parody and satire. Many have been created from the direct suggestions by many of the readers of various conservative websites (including this one) and emails from people all over the world. I have created hundreds if not thousands of images posted at my site and others, some for humor, some for activists. Some of the images I have been involved with have been used to impact public opinion, such as the Sore-Loserman logo. This was a collabrative work developed by a team of forum participants which ultimately ended up being used by activists around the country during the 2000 Presidential Election recounts. I have been fortunate in the fact that many of the parody images holding my political point of view have been re-posted, emailed, published or displayed on the net, in magazines, talked about on radio and even displayed on television.

Since the middle of 2005 I have been involved in a copyright lawsuit that is attempting to shut me up and kill my Freedom of Speech when it comes to creating images. The image that prompted the lawsuit was a satire-parody I created involving John Kerry and Jane Fonda. This image was created without profit and for no commercial reasons. I did it very quickly in response to current events at the time. The image was created at a time when John Kerry was denying his linkage to Fonda (April '04 or thereabouts) to garner the veteran vote and hammering President Bush over his National Guard service. Around this time I was sent an actual speaking schedule that showed the two of them had indeed been on the same stage, on the same day speaking out against the war in Vietnam. It was obvious they knew each other and the direct linkage was true. I therefore created an image, a satire-parody retro image that looked like a newspaper article, showing them speaking on the same stage. It was a joke - he denied being on stage with Fonda, yet it was all over the "front page of the newspaper".

I posted this satire image for approximately 2 hours on FreeRepublic.com and then after seeing that some people were taking it in a way I had not intended, I became concerned and pulled it down and removed it. I did not email it out or send it anywhere else. It was simply posted on the internet for only 2 hours. When the image ended up in print it surprised me, and it confirmed the fact that major media rarely verifies their sources or checks the credibility of their information.

Like any satire I create, the finished image was comprised of a number of elements, a John Kerry portion, a Jane Fonda portion, and a Newspaper-like print that had a little blurb about them speaking together.

The John Kerry portion of the satire was from an image of Kerry speaking at an anti-war rally. This photo was taken by a photographer named Ken Light in the early 1970's. Mr. Light who is a UC Berkeley professor, did not appreciate his John Kerry image being used in the manner it was, which I partially understand because he is a photographer and liberal activist himself. However my free speech is my free speech and in satire, I felt I needed to illustrate an actual historical event the way I did. Of course, the fact that I did what I did can be debated endlessly (which it has), but the fact of the matter is, I did it to express my political view regarding the absurdity of Kerry denying that he and Fonda had worked together during the anti-War days.

After the image was posted, it "made the rounds", being picked up by many in the media, websites, blogs, etc, etc. I never intended this to happen. What occurs after an image is captured by people is outside of my control, so I sat and watched in horror as the image was used and manipulated in ways I never intended.

Apparently seeing an opportunity to gain a name and subsequently more income for himself, Ken Light began granting interviews, from CNN to print media, about the John Kerry parody image I created. Ken Light has given speeches and has even created his own college course curriculum based entirely on my parody image. In other words, he has benefited entirely from the parody I created, gaining notoriety and making money from something I created and posted on the internet for a few hours.

Mr. Light wasn't satisfied with my removing the image, he wasn't satisfied with the interviews he gave, or his new celebrity status and notoriety, or the huge additional income he was making from my satire-parody image. He decided, or someone suggested to him, to sue me for copyright infringement for $200,000. Not in Michigan where I live, but in New York. Now Mr. Light lives and works in California. Not in New York.

So why sue me in New York? Well, his side says I should be sued because Ken Light's photo agent is located in NY (which by the way, after my image "made the rounds", his agent moved the original Ken Light image into their "Premium Collection". This is an obvious indication that there was an increased demand for his original Kerry picture only AFTER I created my satire-parody thereby bringing him an increase in royalty fees.)

The second reason Light is suing me in NY is that the image I created was displayed and printed by a host of NY media. I have NEVER been in contact with ANY of them, and to think that I had control over their use of the image is an insane allegation to make.

It isn't a coincidence that Mr. Light is a liberal photojournalist/activist. Frankly, I feel that my Freedom of Speech is being threatened by Mr. Light and whatever "machinery" is behind this lawsuit. They want to shut me up and shut me down.

As this lawsuit is in New York and I am in Michigan, you can imagine the enormous expense (tens of thousands of dollars) to fight for my freedom of speech that this is taking. I am paying MI lawyers and NY lawyers. My attorney bills aren't being paid by John Kerry. They are being paid by me. I have made dime ZERO from this image, yet Light has been paid for interviews on TV and in print, has hugely incorporated my satire-parody image into his entire professional career, even to the extent of using my satire-parody image in his journalism classes at Berkeley - meanwhile continuing to make royalties off his dead image that is now sitting in a "premium collection", thanks to me.

On January 29th, 2007, the US District Court, Southern District of New York granted me a motion to dismiss. Now, over 6 months after that court decision, Ken Light's attorney, David B. Rigney (who attended Yale at the same time as John Kerry), has filed an appeal on behalf of Ken Light even though the Appeals process apparently only allows for up to 30 days to file.

My intent is not to perform fundraising here, though this lawsuit has had an enormous financial impact, costing a crippling tens of thousands of dollars that I will be paying for years to come. Of course if I got a dollar for every time that image was forwarded or if I had a dollar for every time Ken Light used or was paid to use my image the ability to afford a defense would be moot. Rather, I think it is important to be aware that YOU are at a huge legal and financial risk when you exercise your free speech in your posts or graphics, here or anywhere on the internet.

I appreciate the many of you that have let me know over the years that you enjoy what I do.

To all of you that believe in freedom of speech, or may have seen this image and have enjoyed my parodies and satire, please feel free to share this with others.

Be careful. According to our current legal system, free speech is anything but free. That goes for people on the Right and on the Left.


TOPICS: Humor
KEYWORDS: brasspair; censorship; chutzpahriffic; cojones; fairnessdoctrine; hoax; hoaxer; huevosgrande; kenlight; lawsuit; opus; parody; registered; satire
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To: Registered
My images have been posted here freely for years and years, some have even been used by members here for fundraising or even additional income. The point here isn't really about the images, it's that you or I can be sued ANYWHERE for ANY reason by someone on the Left that wants to shut you up.

No argument there.

Out of curiousity, what would you have done if people had continued posting your images to this site?

41 posted on 08/03/2007 1:15:19 PM PDT by NittanyLion
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To: Sloth

You missed the point. You will care where they are posted or what is done with them AFTER the owners of the images you are using to create composites sue you because they disagree with your politics.


42 posted on 08/03/2007 1:15:47 PM PDT by Registered (Politics is the art of the possible)
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To: NittanyLion

I would have to keep track of all the posts NL. You have no idea what I have had to do.


43 posted on 08/03/2007 1:16:35 PM PDT by Registered (Politics is the art of the possible)
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To: Registered
As long as I have been here, and as much as I have contributed, that sir, is an insult totally unwarranted.

LOL!!!!!!!!

44 posted on 08/03/2007 1:17:59 PM PDT by Spiff (Rudy Giuliani Quote (NY Post, 1996) "Most of Clinton's policies are very similar to most of mine.")
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To: Petronski
Sorry, Spiff, we no longer allow links to anti-conservative sites like RegisteredSmeardia.com on FR.

I was about to say the same thing. You beat me to it.

45 posted on 08/03/2007 1:19:40 PM PDT by Spiff (Rudy Giuliani Quote (NY Post, 1996) "Most of Clinton's policies are very similar to most of mine.")
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To: Registered
Absolutely agree that such a comment is completely unwarrented. I've enjoyed your work over the years. Maybe you could send me a FReep mail with important extra "details"?

ML/NJ

46 posted on 08/03/2007 1:21:21 PM PDT by ml/nj
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To: Registered; Jim Robinson

I, for one, am glad to hear about this situation and I do not appreciate Petronski’s spitballs or Jim Robinson using this thread to continue his Giuliani Jihad. Guess what, Jim — we know how you feel about Rudy. Now why are you not pissed off about somebody getting sued over an innocent Photoshop posted on YOUR forum? Because it happened to somebody who now supports a candidate you don’t like??? Geez. Very disappointing.


47 posted on 08/03/2007 1:22:36 PM PDT by Dems_R_Losers (Thanks anyway, Nancy, but we already have a Commander-in-Chief!)
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To: Registered

You’ve really burned your bridges here. I’m surprised to see that your account was unbanned. You brought this all upon yourself, you know.


48 posted on 08/03/2007 1:23:23 PM PDT by Spiff (Rudy Giuliani Quote (NY Post, 1996) "Most of Clinton's policies are very similar to most of mine.")
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To: Registered
So what does the court say about this?


49 posted on 08/03/2007 1:23:34 PM PDT by Vision ("Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him." Jeremiah 17:7)
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To: Registered
Holy crap, man. That sucks.

Liberals are such dickwads.

Good luck with everything. I hope you can figure out a way to get financial help. I know this sounds like a longshot, but have you been in touch with the ACLU? They sometimes take on a token case like this to fake an appearance of nonpartisanship.

50 posted on 08/03/2007 1:24:16 PM PDT by dead (I've got my eye out for Mullah Omar.)
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To: Vision

That’s actually kinda funny.


51 posted on 08/03/2007 1:27:33 PM PDT by BritExPatInFla
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To: Registered

Well, I’m sorry this happened to you. I don’t respect the comments you made on the way out of this forum, and I do think it’s a bit hypocritical to make this post. But nonetheless, this lawsuit is wrong and you’re certainly not deserving of it. Good luck.


52 posted on 08/03/2007 1:28:25 PM PDT by NittanyLion
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To: BritExPatInFla

To you.


53 posted on 08/03/2007 1:33:38 PM PDT by Vision ("Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him." Jeremiah 17:7)
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To: Dems_R_Losers

No courtesy ping?

Geez. Very disappointing.


54 posted on 08/03/2007 1:35:39 PM PDT by Petronski (imwithfred.com)
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To: Dems_R_Losers

Yeah, well, life is full of disappointments. Registered is becoming one. Shrug.


55 posted on 08/03/2007 1:44:41 PM PDT by Jim Robinson (Our God-given unalienable rights are not open to debate, negotiation or compromise!)
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To: Dems_R_Losers
Now why are you not pissed off about somebody getting sued over an innocent Photoshop posted on YOUR forum?

Because it wasn't all that "innocent". It contained NO indicator that it was a fake, it did not have the Registered@aol.com email address or any other Registered logo that had been used on every other image, and it didn't appear to the less discerning to be a fake. It was quickly exposed as a hoax but not before it fooled people at the VFW and others who had been convinced by the factual information from the Swift Boat Veterans. It brought discredit upon Free Republic and hurt the efforts of groups like the Swift Boat Veterans who were fighting to defend their own credibility. It was a turd in the punchbowl and it still stinks. Since then, Registered has gone far afield, photoshopping and attacking conservative candidates, and generally being a nasty, mean-spirited supporter of the most liberal Republican candidate to ever run for the office of President. Now he wants sympathy for his own poor judgement, his accusations of some massive left wing conspiracy attcking him notwithstanding.

56 posted on 08/03/2007 1:53:13 PM PDT by Spiff (Rudy Giuliani Quote (NY Post, 1996) "Most of Clinton's policies are very similar to most of mine.")
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To: Registered
Freedom of speech only applies to the government vs. the citizens.

We are to speak our minds. Speech, be it written, spoken or otherwise, is an action. Actions have consequences.

57 posted on 08/03/2007 1:58:08 PM PDT by Finger Monkey (H.R. 25, Fair Tax Act - A consumption tax which replaces the income tax, SS tax, death tax, etc.)
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To: Spiff
and generally being a nasty, mean-spirited supporter

You (and a couple of resident co-authors) could write a book on that subject.
58 posted on 08/03/2007 1:59:51 PM PDT by Registered (Politics is the art of the possible)
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To: Jim Robinson

Jim,

I see how this thread is going to go. So I apologize for even posting it.

By posting this thread, I honestly thought it would be a good thing to discuss how the Left is working against activists in the court system. But I know that casting pearls is not a profitable thing to do before swine. Frankly Jim, you have allowed the swine to take over FR. I suppose I had secretly wished otherwise, but you are a #1 Pig Farmer now, and the piglets are right here in this thread calling out to each other.

My images have provided you with absolutely free content for years, never did I ask for any money in exchange for what I did. I have even created images specifically FOR you at YOUR request (Remember when you had the dream to create sub sites? I was there trying to help you). I never asked for a single cent. I have helped fellow Freepers with their activism and chapter projects. When Sore-Loserman came about, you freely accepted the thousands and thousands of dollars in “donations” you received via the Cafe Press stores that I managed. I have all the documentation showing how much my images HAVE benefitted FR, and really more importantly, how they promoted Conservatism. Yet you sit there allowing someone that has helped you and the things you believe in be attacked.

You truly are no friend Jim Robinson.

Close my account.


59 posted on 08/03/2007 2:09:12 PM PDT by Registered (Politics is the art of the possible)
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To: Registered

Done. Buh bye.


60 posted on 08/03/2007 2:11:28 PM PDT by Jim Robinson (Our God-given unalienable rights are not open to debate, negotiation or compromise!)
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