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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
