I spoke with JMM today and was very impressed with what he laid out. Before today I hadn't spoken/met him nor explored IMPAI very much other than cursory readings of his post.
Melding in what you've said, it is plausible to start a foundation or corporation to advance the interests of TGP owners and DIRECTLY negotiate with the Defense Group of 11 [D11] and offer to give them large sums of money in exchange for certain considerations.
I am not an attorney so I make the following musings related to my own contemplations.
If I owned a TGP I do not think I would have a case for extortion. However, under California law, there may be a case for something else, like unfair busines practices, etc. etc.. However, just because I did not have a case, is not a reason not to file a lawsuit. See Acacia for reference.
With regards to getting Attorney's fees back, this happens MUCH more rarely than people think. This needs to be thought of as a COST OF DOING BUSINESS just like national defense. So there's a small chance of the judge ordering Acacia to pay lawyer fees, but it's very low (just like Germany never repaid the Marshall plan costs).
CNN and Wall Street Journal and Mr. Johnny Apple Pie are not going to be sympathetic (I think) to the poor plight of 10,000 porn webmasters.
Nevertheless, I do think raising awareness is good.
With Acacia's war chest of $50 Million dollars I doubt our $100,000 or so can put a substantial delay on them - but the more the better.
It's also quite likely that we could chip away at a particular niche in their armor while D11 fights the real fight.
This thing needs to be done in a transparent fashion so noone thinks that it's being done to put money in your pocket, or mine, or whoevers. FTPF and IMPAI have done a pretty good job at that, but we need to follow up even more.
Choker - I'm following you on this. I'll apply resources in whatever direction you decide.
I propose a conference call among interested parties Sunday Afternoon. I can set this up and share the number with those who are privately requested and admitted.
I am liking the foundation idea more and more, with the express goal of helping US and aforethought intended on negotiating a deal with D11 so as to provide them money and represent our interests.
With $100,000 - which could grow to $200 or $500K - ($50 monthly dues from 1000 webmasters to fight evil Empire forces) we could hire a smart young dedicated attorney who wants to make a name for himself, direct him to launch lawsuits on a budget, and negotiate with D11.
Let us know what your plans are as they evolve, and we'll follow.
We should take this off the public air soon enough, as the Evil Empire will be reading our intentions at leisure, given the permanency of the internet.
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Originally posted by Choker
reasonableness I am on the same train of thought as you. Need to talk to homegrown tomorrow and see what is what. I do not see others contibuting to the 11's defense fund as freely as we would like. However the more I think about it, the more I think TGPers would gladly pony up $100 each to hit Acacia with a class action lawsuit for extortion and harassment. Could not IMPA's attorney's do this? Would this benifit the 11 and all the TGPs? I think so. If anything it would delay Acacia's other pending lawsuits. Not to mention the press that would result from 1000 plus webmasters suing Acacia. EXPOSURE is what we need. Everyone including mainstream sites need to be made aware of what is going on. They are next after all.
So who here would pay $100 to be part of a class action suit against Acacia? And would they be subject to OUR attorney's costs if we prevailed? I think so.
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