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

[Cool Guy]

WONDERFUL!!!!!! FREEREPUBLIC LIVES :)

[NittanyLion]

Excellent. That's hardly the win the LA Times and WP were looking to score.

[Carolina]

Thanks, Jim. Long live Free Republic!!

[smith288]

*Clicking heels*

Them clymers thought FR would be gone by now...BWUHAHAHAH

[bobbyd]

BIG BUMP!

[LibWhacker]

Congratulations, Jim! This is a victory in my book, what with all the doomsayers predicting we'd be shut down. FR lives on!

[SGCOS]

Thanks for reminding me I needed more liners for the bird cage.

Does this mean you'll be removing the "Legal Fees" button when donating?

&^)

[Mudboy Slim]

Congrats!! Who needs the ComPost or the Slimes anyway?! Not like we can't find other sources to discuss.

FReegards...MUD

[meenie]

Freedom of ideas receives a reprieve from those who would like to close down conservative commentary.

[Rodney King]

Congrats Jim. This is a victory. All of your enemies were crowing how you would owe WP/LAT a million bucks and FR would be shut down. Instead, Free Republic lives on!

[Slip18]

I'll bet this is a load off your back.

Congratulations, JimRob! You surely did hang in there.

[marvlus]

So, from the Freeper's perspective, nothing has changed, correct?

[Poohbah]

A loud, motivated, Marine Corps URRAH!

All hands splice the mainbrace!

[Atsilvquodi]

Ping

[E.G.C.]

Congradulations, Jim. You and the defense team did well. Free Repbulic lives to see another day.

[Miss Marple]

Congratulations. Most of the Washington Post articles I read are simply because JohnHuang2 has an essay attached to them, anyway!

I am happy this was settled to your satisfaction.

[alisasny]

Great news!! SO basically where LAT and WP are considered we do same as always..LOL

Jim, I really am sorry you had to pay anything for this situation....

Perhaps as a punishment no articles from LAT and WP for a while...they think they are so popular...let them be without our help. They have nothing useful to add anyway to any current events. Most of their stuff is sourced from AP anyway.

[Gophack]

Thank you for your dedication to the First Amendment and we appreciate the headaches you endured for freedom!