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American Idol 2006--Live Thread I
FOX ^ | 1-16-06

Posted on 01/16/2006 4:00:11 AM PST by silent_jonny

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To: silent_jonny

Awwwww bless! Thank you so much! I'm just recovering!!!!

Good job they show American Idol over here on Saturday afternoons! :-)


12,521 posted on 03/18/2006 1:07:50 AM PST by Happygal (liberalism - a narrow tribal outlook largely founded on class prejudice)
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To: SirLinksalot; All
DialIdol site shut down after Idol producer FremantleMedia demanded it "cease and desist"

http://www.realityblurred.com/realitytv/archives/american_idol_5/2006_Mar_17_dialidol_down
12,522 posted on 03/18/2006 7:43:23 AM PST by LA Woman3 (Gig 'em, Aggies!)
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To: LA Woman3

DialIdol site shut down after Idol producer FremantleMedia demanded it "cease and desist"

The webmaster of Dialidol, a web site the suggested it could predict the next American Idol 5 bootee based upon the number of busy signals for the remaining contestants, has gone offline. The site’s creator, Jim Hellriegel, Jr., shut the site down after receiving a cease and desist letter from the show’s producers, FremantleMedia.

The cease-and-desist letter has very odd rationale, as Fake Rake noted. It claimed DialIdol “allows people to download clips of episodes of American Idol without the permission of the producer, and uses the American Idol logo and music,” which wasn’t a part of the site, according to Fake Rake. In addition, Fremantle claimed copyright violation because of “unauthorized use of the names and likenesses of American Idol contestants, hosts and judges.” So, if I type Simon Cowell, did I just violate their copyright? Greedy bastards.

As the LA Times’ Scott Collins writes, “It’s possible (and understandable) that Hellriegel might have gotten spooked when lawyer-man sicced the legal mumbo-jumbo on him. In fact, that’s probably what Fremantle was banking on. It’s easy to attack Hellriegel for appropriately logos and other trademarks; it would be a lot tougher to claim that his autodialing and prediction system somehow violates Fremantle’s intellectual property.”

The site’s webmaster has “contacted the ACLU and the Electronic Frontier Foundation, looking for a pro bono attorney to defend DialIdol against a cease & desist letter from ‘Idol’ producers FremantleMedia,” according to Collins.

Hellriegel writes on Dialidol.com that “I now believe FremantleMedia (the parent company of American Idol) is infringing on my first amendment rights to free speech and free press,” and says the site may be back online this weekend, but “without the application available for download, without the predictions and without the logo.”




I never used the sound when I went to their site so I don't know if they used their music. But, if they did, that was dumb, same for using their logo.

Other than that, I think putting the site back up, but without predictions is a waste since that is the only reason I went there and I think most people went there for that reason. Without it, why bother? There are scads of sites that make predictions, but they were different. I think they should go ahead and dump the music and logo, but keep their download and predictions or continue checking busy signals.

I hope they find a lawyer to represent them pro bono.


12,523 posted on 03/18/2006 8:47:53 AM PST by Netizen (I voted for Scott and Anthony, because I like the underdog singers the best. texasflower 04/20/2005)
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To: LA Woman3
DialIdol Bulletin (3/15/2006) 6:00PM EST
Goliath (as they will be known for the purposes of this bulletin) sent this "David" a cease and desist letter yesterday claiming that DialIdol infringes on copyrights they own. I am not sure how they think I infringe and many of the allegations they made in the letter are false but in order to protect myself I am taking DialIdol down while I consult with the appropriate resources.

Goliath is very upset with the entire premise of this web site, particularly the way DialIdol "measures the busy signal" to predict the results. Given this I find it highly unlikely that I can change a few logos/colors/names to satisfy their concerns.

Understand that I really am just this one "David" guy with virtually no resources at my disposal to "fight" this Goliath. And by the way I don't even want to fight them - I love Goliath and want to work with them.

As I mentioned I will be consulting the appropriate resources over the next few days. If you'd like to help this David I encourage you to do three things:

  1. Watch the show. Everyone involved in this process is here because we love the show - so watch it! The better the ratings, the better off DialIdol will be.
  2. Email Goliath and let them know you are upset with their decision to shut DialIdol down.
  3. Email me and let me know if you'd be willing to contribute to a legal fund to help David gain a tiny bit of leverage versus Goliath.

Thank you for your support!


DialIdol Bulletin (3/16/2006) 7:00AM EST
I am swamped with emails for support and all of your emails keep me motivated even if you can't provide financial support!

I have received TONS of requests to see the cease and desist letter. I want to post this but I am afraid it will cause me more harm than good. I need to be convinced it will not cause me more harm than good first. I am also reluctant to reveal details of the phone conversation I had with them - but I will say pay close attention to the second paragraph in the "David Vs. Goliath" bulletin.

Also, I now believe FremantleMedia (the parent company of American Idol) is infringing on my first amendment rights to free speech and free press. The problem is going to become finding a brave, affordable lawyer to take all this on!

Thank you so much and stay tuned for details. DialIdol is down - but not dead!


Friday March 17, 2006 1:00PM EST
Thanks again for your continued support. Many of you have provided very valuable advice that I hope will turn out to get this site back up and operational by Tuesday for the next vote - though the timing is going to be close.

I have contacted the ACLU and EFF and I still have a few other sites/organizations to review. There are also a few other leads I am following that seem promising at this moment as well as pursuit of traditional private attorneys. Since I have nothing concrete at the moment I am still looking for help & ideas. You've been so helpful to date I ask that you keep those well wishes and ideas coming.

For those interested in the C&D letter - here it is. I have edited out the personal private information but everything else is as I received it. BTW: Yes - the dates are truly inaccurate.

The regular site may come back in some form later today or this weekend. It will be without the application available for download, without the predictions and without the logo.

"Thanks" doesn't seem to cut it - but it's all I've got until the site is back up! ;)


I'd like to thank...

In no particular order I'd like to thank the following for their support and send a shout out to them & their web site because DialIdol has received traffic or publicity from these web sites. This doesn't include hundreds of individuals who also deserve the same shout out for their support as well!

I've tried to include everyone that would want their address posted but with all the support I may have omitted someone on accident if that has happened I apologize.

www.eff.org Perhaps DialIdols best chance of surviving comes from the EFF, regardless of what happens with the EFF I strongly support this organization.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution Rodney Ho, the first reporter to contact me, is a blogging reporter at the AJC.
The LA Times Scott Collins continues to follow and write about the developing saga of DialIdol.
www.votefortheworst.com In many ways I envy their success, even if I don't necessarily agree with their agenda.
FakeRake.com Plenty of traffic has flowed from fakerake even before DI was served with the C&D.
idol.slimtainment.com Offering advice and perspective including a copy of their C&D letter.
idolforums.com They've offered support and plenty of traffic from pretty much the first day DI went public.
www.mayorzikas.com My first political support came from Mayor Zikas, ok maybe Harry's support was more personal than political - but he's still a Mayor!
www.beaveronidol.com Offering support and currently trying to do a blog piece on DI.
www.graycharles.com A Taylor Hicks fan site that sent a lot of traffic my way and offered some pretty in-depth analysis of "measuring the busy signal".
www.televisionwithoutpity.com An AI message board kinda place that has sent so much traffic my way it's not funny - from day one.
www.toral-mehta.com My first celebrity support came from Toral Mehta - season 4 of The Apprentice.

12,524 posted on 03/18/2006 9:04:32 AM PST by Netizen (I voted for Scott and Anthony, because I like the underdog singers the best. texasflower 04/20/2005)
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To: Netizen

Wow! Sounds like he has lots of support! It will be interesting to see what happens....


12,525 posted on 03/18/2006 9:13:48 AM PST by LA Woman3 (Gig 'em Aggies!)
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To: Wolfstar

What is KCE?


12,526 posted on 03/18/2006 10:52:25 AM PST by I'm ALL Right!
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To: I'm ALL Right!
What is KCE?

That's short for Kelly Clarkson Express. It's a great fan site with participants from around the world. Although it's main focus is Kelly and her career, there is also an American Idol board.

One has to take much of what's found on internet forums (including FR) with a healthy dose of skepticism. However, I've found the majority of what's posted there to be accurate and informative.

12,527 posted on 03/18/2006 12:24:44 PM PST by Wolfstar (There is no death, though eyes grow dim. There is no fear when I'm near to Him.)
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To: Wolfstar
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v149/shannonk/Top12AIPhotoshoot1.jpg

I want to come back in my next life as a tufted red leather couch.

12,528 posted on 03/18/2006 8:21:25 PM PST by Senator Goldwater
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To: Senator Goldwater
I want to come back in my next life as a tufted red leather couch.

Grin...Katharine does revive that wonderfully descriptive old word "voluptuous."

12,529 posted on 03/18/2006 9:15:15 PM PST by Wolfstar (There is no death, though eyes grow dim. There is no fear when I'm near to Him.)
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To: Wolfstar
"Katharine does revive that wonderfully descriptive old word "voluptuous."

Fits her to a tee.

A look that has fallen out of vogue with these pencil-thin models and junkie chic that runways and advertisers seem to covet. Katherine has very old school appeal.

Not to kill the mood, but it also makes you wonder if she will battle with her weight as she gets older.

See Linda Ronstadt and Ann Wilson, who were bouncy brunettes in their day, but both of whom have unfortunately found gravity like the rest of us in middle age.

12,530 posted on 03/19/2006 7:21:46 AM PST by Senator Goldwater
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To: Senator Goldwater; Wolfstar

Someone said once that after WW II when folks were aching to start families, and children were still considered an asset, voluptuous women were in vogue.

In proportion as the family and children have become devalued, so have voluptuous women.

"Gravity" used to mean something more akin to gravitas.
Now it's just a term to mock women.


12,531 posted on 03/19/2006 8:43:30 AM PST by b9 ("the [evil Marxist liberal socialist Democrat Party] alternative is unthinkable" ~ Jim Robinson)
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To: doodlelady

Actually gravity can be applied to anything that once stood up which now sits down.


12,532 posted on 03/19/2006 9:06:03 AM PST by Senator Goldwater
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To: Senator Goldwater

No one knows that better than older women, and men who hate them.


12,533 posted on 03/19/2006 9:17:43 AM PST by b9 ("the [evil Marxist liberal socialist Democrat Party] alternative is unthinkable" ~ Jim Robinson)
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To: doodlelady
You apparently missed the part where I said "the rest of us", meaning both men and women.

Case in point: my gut is closer to the earth's core than it was twenty five years ago.

So is Linda Ronstadt's.

12,534 posted on 03/19/2006 9:34:23 AM PST by Senator Goldwater
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To: doodlelady

My favorite word for voluptuous is "zaftig". I apply it often to my wife and my four gorgeous daughters.


12,535 posted on 03/19/2006 11:31:37 AM PST by Palladin ("Governor Lynn Swann."...it has a nice ring to it!)
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To: Palladin

Sweeeet! ";^)


12,536 posted on 03/19/2006 11:36:26 AM PST by b9 ("the [evil Marxist liberal socialist Democrat Party] alternative is unthinkable" ~ Jim Robinson)
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To: ChandyB71

Re: Mr. Tumnus and Stanley Tucci

I don't see the resemblance, but THANK YOU for the pic of Stanley Tucci!

: )


12,537 posted on 03/19/2006 5:21:50 PM PST by StrictTime (Soul Patrol! Soul Patrol!)
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To: Netizen
Thanks for the recap :)

He said he liked Kellie that particular week and said it. I got the impression that he didn't mean to dis Carrie.

Well, that's not quite an apology, but at least he admits he shouldn't have said it.

12,538 posted on 03/20/2006 5:43:44 AM PST by silent_jonny (You can't be lucky all the time, but you can be smart every day)
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To: Happygal
You're welcome, Happygal!

We miss your Irishness on this thread :)

Awwwww bless!

That's the stuff ;)

12,539 posted on 03/20/2006 5:47:04 AM PST by silent_jonny (You can't be lucky all the time, but you can be smart every day)
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To: doodlelady; Wolfstar
In proportion as the family and children have become devalued, so have voluptuous women.

Never thought of it that way, but I believe you're right.

12,540 posted on 03/20/2006 5:49:18 AM PST by silent_jonny (You can't be lucky all the time, but you can be smart every day)
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