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B/S. I've stretched the interpretation of fair use to its outer limits. In my opinion, fair use is a very sloppy concept to begin with and the entire copyright fiasco needs a complete overhaul. However, this case has absolutely no affect on those who continue to claim fair use under the commonly accepted interpretation. I can't see how this settlement would affect anyone who wants to issue a new challenge. Just be careful not to bugger up the case with any side issues. Open your website. Post full text copies of all the LAT/WP articles you can find, dissect them, criticize them, invite others to discuss them, but be careful to not ask for donations or do anything that a judge can use against you. Just make sure it's pure free speech and political discussion. You will probably win. You will risk your entire fortune and the rest of your life, but you will probably win - if the Supreme Court decides to hear your case.

Jim --
Obviously you are somewhat bitter about this outcome. You fought long and hard, and eventually were forced to settle short of victory. And obviously it is the money that forced the settlement. Not what you paid, but what you may have been forced to pay if you pursued this and lost. I have nothing but contempt for those newspapers and the multi-millions of dollars they have to throw at those who might challenge them, even though under our constitution we have the right to speak and write criticisms of what they publish. But you had to think about your own health, and the well being of your family and supporters in making this decision to settle. It isn't what you or any of us wanted, it doesn't do anything to advance free speech and it leaves a lot of issues unsettled. But at least FR has survived, and hopefully, will come out it a way that will allow conservative viewpoints to continue to be expressed. Not many of us would have had the courage to challenge these corporate giants, and put all you have on the line to do so. I feel strongly that the First Amendment lost, but that you are heads and shoulders above 99% of us in pursuing this fight. My best to you and may FR continue to be as strong as it is today.

You will risk your entire fortune and the rest of your life, but you will probably win - if the Supreme Court decides to hear your case.

Yeah that will be John Robinson III, represented by Rebeckie Ross Klayman, taking the case in front of Supreme Court Chief Justice Jack "The Impaler" Thompson Jr. and Associate Justices: Rivera-Merritt, Rivera-Estrich, Rivera-Maliveaux, Rivera-Jackson-Lee-Atta, Rivera-Waters-Medusa-Momsmabley-Auntesther, Rivera-Reno-Shalala; Rivera-VanSusteren and TLBShow-Coulter.

Of course, assume an amicus brief on behalf of the Post/Times from the carefully monitored and medicated legal team at AntiFreeper.bellvue.psycho.ny.gov. They claim someone on FreeRepublic posted the video and the musical song "Yatta" in gross violation of Japanese dignity and national pride. TexAggie79 AGAIN!!!!

As another poster has pointed out, the Achievment of this site has changed since the start of your defense against this slap-suit meant to silence you.

At first, that is what it was: a slap-suit, meant to silence the strongest voice against the Clinton corruption. The archival issue, to keep the truth alive and available, made the defense for this website's method imparative for our nation's future. But due to the dilegence of the defense, the truth stood long enough to endure, your method was protected enough to be used again by a patriot such as yourself.

What has changed now is the community and its activism is now more important than an archive of commonly known truth. No less than the Boston Sons of Liberty or the Minutemen, the Community of FreeRepublic.com stands for all to marvel at and join or duplicate.

Anyone doing much in the way of legal battles will always tell us that a fair settlement is better than a good lawsuit appeal trial when the outcome is never certain. Your practice of Politics as the Art of the Possible follows great conservative precedent.

You, your current legal team, your original legal team including Clarity and all that have stood by you deserve our gratitude. The risk you took and the courage you displayed in enduring the sword of that original-judgement/pending-appeal-settlement hanging over your, and your family's, head was an example OF SUPREME COURAGE to us all. The major benefit of that risk fell to us, the user's of your forum, to the country at the time of the recount, and only periferily, to the copyright issues you were trying to defend.

Eagles Up, FOREVER!