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Originally posted by SolarGodPower
I love the idea of FightThePatent and what everyone there is trying to accomplish, but right now I need to make decisions fast. What am I supposed to to? Join FightThePatent and then have them show up in court for me so my sites aren't all shut down? Is that how the thing works? What is the D-Day date for Acasholia?
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SGP, I have had many webmasters talk to me about the very same predicament you are in, with receiving the 2nd letter. i have some that have also told me that they intend to settle, because they just can't afford to fight, and hate having to license, but it was the best business decision they could make.
The 2nd notice says the amnesty date is Nov. 30th... they have put you on notice, so that means you won't hear back from them til Dec 1st...which if you do, would mean a court letter taking you to court... at which point, you would have to make the decision to defend yourself or settle.
If you wish to fight, then you need to have the $$$ to do so.
I talked to Far-L at IMPA about this issue, since many webmasters are asking me what my opinion to the situation is.
Far-L said that webmasters can contribute to the Defense Fund, a few thousand a month... just like like the 7 other defendants.
The first 7 will get their court date first, then any new ones after that. The money you put in could be allocated to your defense by the attorney firm they have hired.
This means that can contribute to the fund that supports those ahead of you in going to court, with the idea that they will be the ones knocking out the patent, thus you many never have to deal with it.
This strategy involves having sufficent money in the Defense Fund (which is different then people donating to the IMPA) to fund the attorneys efforts to do all the legal manuevers that takes the first defendant to court.
I believe that the first batter up will be the one that hits the home run, thus ending this World Series absurdity quickly.
I am not an attorney, just a techie... so my opinion goes as far as those that believe in the same.....
You can very realistically take a wait-and-see posture, and see what happens after Nov. 30th. If you do get a court order.. having your letters sent to your PO box is a good indication that they haven't taken the time to track you down and could pose a roadblock for them, so they'll try to pick on easier targets.
If Fight the Patent Foundation was operational, I would have defense attorneys talking to you right now in helping you to prepare your case and answering their attempts at "convincing" you to license. But FTPF is not up, and i do feel frustrated in my efforts to be proactive in these patent abuse issues..... best i can do is to provide information, generate awareness, help find prior art, and raise donations for FTPF.
The first defendant is still waiting for their day in court...the date keeps getting pushed back due to the way the court system handles case scheduling, given the fact that one company is sueing many people, and have shown an intent to sue more.
Feel free to email me at brandon -at- FightThePatent.com and i can pass on contact info for Far-L.
Fight the Patent!