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| The Bergen County Courthouse in Hackensack was built in 1912. |
On the evening of May 16, 2012, Eye on The Record used a North Jersey.com story reporting that a Superior Court jury had convicted Hackensack Police Chief Ken Zisa of official misconduct and insurance fraud.
The post ran under the headline, "Hackensack police chief is found guilty," and I added the words, "From North Jersey.com" above the byline of "Stephanie Akin, Staff Writer, The Record."
The story included two photographs, and I included credits for Staff Photographers Don Smith and Carmine Galasso.
On May 30, 2012, one of the lawyers North Jersey Media Group has on retainer sent a letter to my lawyer, Josh Weiner of Morristown, alleging use of the North Jersey.com story and photos constitutes copyright infringement.
We answered that presenting breaking news on the conviction of the Hackensack police chief with full credit "constitutes a good faith fair use of the material."
I believe NJMG is threatening to file suit in an attempt to shut down Eye on The Record.
Any such move would be a strategic lawsuit against public participation (SLAPP).
Those suits are intended to censor, intimidate and silence critics by burdening them with the cost of a legal defense until they abandon their criticism or opposition.
--Victor E. Sasson
Let them come after you Victor. Talk about suppressing free speech, heh? Just let the local media and trade press get wind of it and see how they run with a story about Dear Leader going after the little guy. They just might want to get a second opinion on that strategy.
ReplyDeleteThanks. I'm planning to ask the ACLU for help if a lawsuit is filed against me.
ReplyDeleteWhats the ACLU?
ReplyDeleteAmerican Civil Liberties Union, big defender of free speech.
ReplyDeleteIt helps if you don't violate the newspaper's terms of service. Maybe you should sue them instead.
ReplyDeleteFile suit against NJMG for harassment, this is Vexatious Litigation, look up the meaning.Go Victor!!
ReplyDelete