A guest blog posted over @lockergnome.com

In doing some research on the intertubes about Reuters Thomson and it's use of "controlled experiment with Attributor to identify websites" This site came up with an interesting article titled "Why Bloomberg & Reuters Are Superior To AP" The premise came down to "Neither Bloomberg nor Reuters is supporting AP nor are they attacking the bloggers of the world. As of this moment, both are respecting fair use."

http://www.lockergnome.com/blade/2008/06/18/why-bloomberg-reuters-are-superior-to-ap/

If this was the case in 2008 it is no longer the position of Reuters in 2010 as the President of Media at Reuters Thomson admited on a blog that they were engaged in a "controlled experiment with Attributor to identify websites"

So what did they do once they ID'd these, not just websites, they are going after blogs ( btw this blog has Reuters' content.) and forums like http://GodLikeProductions.com and many others that have not been able to fight back.

Against what. Well here is a sample of the notice from the ReutersAttacks.blogspot.com as given to GodLikeProductions.com.

"I certify under penalty of perjury, that I am an agent authorized to act on behalf of the owner of the intellectual property rights and that the information contained in this notice is accurate.

I have a good faith belief that the page or material listed below is not authorized by law for use by the individual(s) associated with the identified page listed below or their agents and therefore infringes the copyright owner's rights.

I HAVE A GOOD FAITH BELIEF THAT ADVERTISING ON THE INFRINGING PAGES/MATERIAL IDENTIFIED BELOW IS DELIVERED BY YOUR SERVICE AND I HEREBY DEMAND THAT YOU ACT EXPEDITIOUSLY TO REMOVE OR DISABLE SUCH ADVERTISING."

Clearly they are not worried about the intergerty of Fairuse. This is simply put~ Copyright Trolling and it is attacking one of our basic rights as Americans. Fair Use is Free Speech. Plain and simple are the rules and this gambit by Reuters's is one of the worst abuses of a law. They are gaming the system to make you pay them.

If you own/run/manage any thing online that could have third parties posting any content according to Trinity at GodlikeProductions "YOU NEED TO REGISTER YOUR CONTACT INFORMATION with the United States Copyright Office ASAP! I have made a copy of the form required here: http://www.godlikeproductions.com/DesignationofAgent.PDF

As well we need to band together to get the attention of our Elected officials Local State and Federal and those in agencies like FTC, DOJ and Commerce and ask them to take a stand and back the citizen right to Fairuse.


We are blogging about this on fairuseisfreespeech.blogspot.com and twitter @fairusefreespch


Fairuse is Free Speech.