12clicks vs. Fight The Patent

I also see where he contradicted himself in a few places.

Well fightthepatent, The people have spoken, It appears most feel as though you are running a scam. Will this make it difficult for you to raise your 250k?


And If you do receive your 250k, What cruise line will you be taking? Carnival is real nice.

1) I am not even incorporated. FightThePatent.com is an indivdual effort. FTPF will be incorporated as a 501c3. Do you understand the difference between a Pledge and a Donation/Contribution?

A pledge is just you saying you will give money. No money is actually collected, and in fact it's not even a contract, because I am not legally holding people to the pledge.

So where am I profiting by people pledging? Now, maybe you mean to say that once the pledge goal has been reached, and then the pledges become donations, where money is flowing into the banking accout, that could i profit from it?

The answer is NO.. there are very strict IRS guidelines to operating a non-profit.. plus, there will be a Board of Directors that I answer to... It's not you have a business that you have incorporated and you can do whatever you want with the money you make, there are bylaws and charters that have to be followed.


2) I think you are addressing a credibility issue in that once the pledge goal does get met, and NOW i ask for money, why would people write a check or pay with CC to the organization? How do they know that the money won't just be taken out and I run off to the Caribbean?

This is obviously a critical and crucial issue. For those that know me, its not an issue, for those that don't know me, it is an issue. The way I intend to get that credibility is through others. I will be associating with people that have the solid credibility from within the industry, that with their endorsement, would vouch for my credibility. Who are these people? Probably the very same ones that are pledging or will be pleding.

The credibility issue will be address when I actually ask for money, i think it's fair for me to table this question/topic until then.. right now, the issue is about whether people feel there is a need to join FTPF to fight against patent abuse cases, that include Acacia.

If people believe in the vision, and in my answers, and in my resolve, then they will pledge..... when it comes time to ask for money, I already expect to address the credibility issue.

RIght now, i have odds against me that i will even be able to reach $250,000 in pledges from webmasters. I have talked to the adult organizations already, and they have all expressed how hard it is to get donations from webmasters or for them to join their cause.

I am still optimistic that webmasters will come together to support FTPF.


3) Already posted the game plan in a previous post

4) You don't get a tax write-off for a pledge. When it comes time to turn that pledge into a donation, then it WOULD be tax-deductable.. that's what a 501(c)3 allows.

5) Right now, i am not accepting money.. so to rewrite your question, Why would anyone in there right mind pledge to FTPF?

Look at the counter below, i would say the webmasters that have pledged have the answers to your questions



-brandon

No


-brandon

I see alot of ignorance.

I have answered every question.

-brandon

Please share the points that i have contradicted myself.. maybe you just didn't read every word, and just picked out bits and pieces?


-brandon

Ok ...


quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Originally posted by JFPdude


So again from your response I see you only want us to make sure you have a salary and paid health care which is a joke if you ask around as to how many webmasters actually have health care.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------




Where did the health care part come in? I never said anything about that... I have my own health care.

As far as being paid..... let's see..... i can continue with my consulting, make more money than what i have said i would pay myself, or give that up, so that I can do some good?

How do you think activists and lobbyists are able to fight the fight? Even artists and musicians need people to fund their efforts.

All organizations, non-profit or not, pay people to work for the organization... why did you expect that FTPF not be the same?

I don't intent to take on this movement as a hobby, it becomes a professional occupation.... Activists don't get rich in doing what they do, they do it what they do, because in their heart and in their mind, they know what is right, and to fight against what is wrong.

Maybe you are motivate by money in your decisions, but I have already demonstrated that money is not my motivation.. i have sacrificed alot for this effort to help protect YOUR rights to using audio or video.

Can you not see the irony in your attitude and in others, that the very people that I am trying to help defend, are the ones that are trying to attack me?

I am all for scrutiny and constructive criticism, i invited it here... but at the end of the day when the dust settles, will you be able to change your mind and attitude and pledge to support if I have honestly and completely explained myself?


-brandon


That was where you were answering my question about health care. You asked where the health care part came in ... well it came from your list of things to do with the pledge money right here:

-Very modest salary for me to do this full time (3k/month)
-Pay for Director's insurance and attract Board of Directors
-Hire some patent attorney to get involved
-Contract with a developer to build out the Prior Art search system where people can contribute leads and earn points for prizes
-Solicit mainstream companies for additional donations
-Attract Media attention
-Help any webmaster who gets served with a lawsuit in providing defense attorneys, prior art searches and expert witnesses through the 'pay it forward' concept.
-insert more stuff here.


Read #2 again? -Pay for Director's insurance and attract Board of Directors

The people have not spoken, only a few that choose to criticize my efforts, which i respect, because I am putting myself out there to fight a cause..

Maybe you think that those webmasters that pledged are foolish and have been duped into pledging? Some smart cookies are on the pledge list.


2) I have been on carnival cruise many years ago, and they are not so nice, maybe it impressed you. When the 250K is received, I don't expect much free time to go on vacation, more like the work load will increase, since I would have to immediately show results to those who donated.


-brandon

And just for the record I did read every word. Because I feel this is a very important subject.

However I am also trying to find out the real motives here. I have seen IMPA's motives and I have donated money to their organization.

But in your own words:

You have No Job. You used to be a consultant until this came along.

This didn't affect any of your sites so you just want to be a heroe or it's a scam and we are trying to find out which.

You have no legal training. However you eluded to the fact that even lobbyists get paid. You are correct on this point. But 90% of lobbyists have some degree of training in law.


You gave examples of whats needed for 501(c)3 documents... Let me tell you I have a lot of expeireince in that feild since I was the local treasurer for a few fire companies in my area and also the treasurer of the local mental health group.

Your facts are not adding up to my expeireinces therefore I am questioning your facts.

ah, i see where you got your point.

Director's Insurance is a liability protection for people who are on the Board of Directors. In case a company gets sued, this insurance policy protects them for being on the board.

Board members are not allowed to earn money from their position, so the reason that MOST companies have Director's Insurance is to protect these people from whatever actions against the corporation.

So Director's Insurance is not health insurance, it;s a liability insurance. Policy coverage usually run from $3M up and costs about $1,000/year.

In my failed dot-com, I had Directors Insurance.. .just like most companies do who attract Board Members.


Hope this clears things up.. any other contradictions?

-brandon

1) Any one who works for themselves could be technically considered "unemployed"... that's the running joke for attorneys who have their own practice with no partners.

2) You say you are reading every word, but you are not. I already stated that i shutdown http://www.SpokenMessages.com voluntarily, never got hit with an information packet, just so I could become vocal. The Sisters supported my efforts.. .i could have very well just paid the license fee and the website could have continued to operate and generate revenue for myself and for their church... but it was the principal that I objected to, that's why i shut it down. Go back into my posts and you will see I already addressed this.

3) I don't elude that Lobbyists get paid, I KNOW they get paid to lobby. Where does it say in the Lobbyist handbook that you have to be an attorney? Who said I was a lobbyist? Since you know so much about non-profits, i am sure you know that 501(c)3 are PROHIBITED from contributing to political / lobbying efforts.

I don't need to be an attorney to fight for a cause.. you think every cause it led by an attorney? More like led by someone with vision and drive, and they HIRE attorneys to take care of the legal work.


-brandon

Ok you call it directors insurance I know of it by other names.

Now in order for you to become a non profit group you must first be an entity. Are you an entity? Do you have corporation papers filed yet?

Do you have a mission statement?

A constitution?

You may want to check the laws again because you cannot be raising any money under the guise of a non profit organization unless you meet certain criteria and this includes raising pledges.

Have you not seen that part of the code?

In order for any of us to take you seriously Please review 12clicks original questions that I don't believe have been satisfactorily answered due to the facts I have stated above.

1) It may go by other names, but it clearly doesn't go by the name of Health Insurance

2) You still are not reading my posts. FTPF is not an entity, the pledge drive is basically an RFC. There are no incorporation papers.

3) Yes, and it evolves as i get more input and has already been presented many times in my posts and on my website, it just had not been labeled as a Mission Statement yet, because FTPF is not an entity.

4) That comes from when you actually START the entity.

5) Yes, but it's irrelevant at this point... why spend money to form something, if the support isn't there? If you can get this point through your head... i am asking for PLEDGES not DONATIONS. Pledges are not tax deductible... and saying that a donation to a 501(c)3 is tax deductible is true, WHEN IT BECOMES one, and that's when people would DONATE (ie. write a check, pay with a CC).. but by then, all the rules and regulations would have been met.. you know that I am not an attorney, so wouldn't you think I would hire an attorney to do all that? You also don't think I have legal counsel?



6) I have answered his question..... You are clearly not reading my answers.

If you have a specific question, then ask it yourself.


-brandon

I think this guy is for real, adult webmasters unfortunately dont trust anyone and run their little kingdoms. That is what makes us so weak as a group and companies can routinely piss on us and we have little to no power to do nothing. The IMPA should have so much money from webmaster donations it should beside itself but thats not the case. Adultwebmasters have this childrens attitude its all mine fuck you and this will hurt us all in the long run.
I posted yesterday a CA newspaper quoted a woman from some antiporn group saying Quasi mainstream porn websites and video companies use underage children. We have no voice to write a letter to the editor to say this is untrue and responsible,we all follow 2257. Not having a voice is going to seriously hurt us and having a voice costs money.


This guy seems to have done his homework, patients like this are going to start popping up on a regular basis. He hasnt accepted any cash yet, they are pledges so no money has been given to him. He said before he collects cash he will become a nonprofit. If he is going to spend a large chunk of his time doing this he deserves to make a living.

12 Clicks: For the record, Brandon has done a ton of excellent work on behalf of us that are fighting Acacia.

There should not be any question of what he has done just because I am unwilling to be specific about what he has done.

I want to make it very clear that his research efforts and his motivated spirit of activism have been assets to us. We did not ask him to do it and he has not asked for money for his efforts other than asking for a pledge.

This has been one of the most telling details of the merits of Brandon.

I am not at liberty to discuss our case, but take it would not be hard for anyone to find out what "expert witnesses" typically charge to do work for highly technical cases such as this.

IMO, Brandon is gracious to lay himself open to this criticism, but I think his actions are beyond reproach.

Some people will settle, some won't. That's life. However, everyone is better able to make that decision for the ceaseless efforts that Brandon has made on behalf of getting them familiar with the issues.

You are missing our point. You are asking for pledges for a coproration that doesn't exist yet. Saying that it will be 501(c)3. Yet none of the paperwork is started yet.

AND IT IS ILLEGAL TO RAISE MONEY FOR A NON PROFIT ORGANIZATION THAT DOESN'T EXIST !!!!!

WHETHER IT BE CASH OR PLEDGES IT'S ILLEGAL. This mere fact can make your whole case mute.

Tony for the record I agree with every word you just said.

I am merely pointing out he can discredit his whole organization by doing the exact things he is doing now.

If he's going to represent us in this matter shouldn't he show he can represent us by doing things the right way and legally?

JFPdude,

Are you even reading what this man has posted?

Every word.

And where does it say that?

Plus, i stil don't think you get it..... asking for a pledge is not a contract, it's not a binding agreement, and there is also a clear stipulation, that should one decide to pledge, that the pledge will not be accepted as a donation until the proper paperwork has been done.

You have never heard of people doing prep work in trying to see where there might be a source of donations?

I appreciate your concerns about this issue, but realistically, you are not an attorney, and this issue is between me and the IRS. Thanks for bringing it my attention, it has been noted.

This has nothing to do with the rest of my efforts.


I have answered your questions and diffused the "contradictions"....

i will break form and ask a question:

do you not see any validity in what i have been saying?

-brandon

I?m not sure what all the hoopla is here

12clicks has this man taken any money from you or anyone you know of?

I?m trying to understand the logic to this, if the man has taken no money (JFPdude ? pledges are only that .. a pledge) then why try to discredit the guy that has taken nothing but his own time to try and organize information that could in the long run help webmasters?

I have yet to see anyone offer up a valid explanation on what he is doing that is so horrible.

I completely appreciate your efforts for bringing this up. You have alluded to some experiences with non-profits, and if FTPF does get operational, i would be listening for input from people like you.

For now, I can only go on what my attorney has said (who will be forming the entity WHEN ITS time), in my approach to things.

I don't feel that I am violating any IRS ordinances, statues, or laws with my approach of asking for pledges, for an entity that has been CLEARLY been described on the pledge page (for those that read it)


But your point no where near invalidates anything that i have said about me, the mission, my motives, and my integrity.

So, can we move on with this point? Can we just agree to disagree? My opinion is based on what my attorney says, yours is based on what you think.

-brandon

double dipping

LOL
I just got an ICQ giving me an opinion on what I might be missing in this scenario and thought I'd share it with you

(this was a JOKE people so don't get your panties in a wad if it strikes a raw cord)
""I think some people don't like him taking the limelight""

well in a lighthearted response I would say this
there are a TON of egos in the biz (boy howdy), but I think the limelight is big enough for everyone.
Don't you remember the words "step into the light children, there's room for everyone ... innnn the liiigggghhtt"

;)

Yup yup... Larry Walters did help establish http://www.i-freedom.org/ to try to be a voice for the industry including fielding press questions and other PR. I can say that I for one actively try to set various reporters straight whenever I see an article published that is unfair or includes misinformation. Most of the time it's like banging your head against a wall, but there is nothing quite like the feeling of knowing that you set a mainstream reporter straight.

I think Brandon is very informed and a mover and a shaker. He is the real deal.

Berman has made many contradictory statements and has violated confidentiality agreements with those that signed with him.

Whatever he said on the "D$ show" should be taken with a grain of salt.

After just talking with JFPdude on the phone, i need to correct this post.

He has brought up valid points, told he me his personal insights over the issue about accepting pledges before the 501(c)3 is running, and I have taken pause for the cause, to do further research.... I took the attorneys word on the issue, since, well, that;s we do since we are not lawyers, but I can challenge his viewpoint with this new information to make sure that I am indeed not jeopardizing my efforts.

Many thanks for JFPdude for his time, effort, and concern.

I will be back to everyone on this issue, but in the mean time, the movement moves on.... time for more beatings, i mean, questions to answer.

-brandon

yes, but there is a saying that "truth is said in jest".

I do wonder who they think i am taking the limelight away from?

The only ones i can think of are IMPA... and i look at is as more as sharing the limelight.. I happen to be VERY vocal on this issue as you may have read in my 600+ posts... and I always support IMPA...and Spike and Far-L have been great about making their appreciation public.

Besides their posts in this thread, and the others, HomeGrownVideo has make a pledge to FTPF, and Far-L has given an endorsement statement at:

http://www.fightthepatent.com/v2/Fou...dorsements.php


-brandon

As I stated on the phone Brandon I fully support the cause just had questions on the validity of certain points .

I'm glad your looking into the pledge issue and will continue my support from here on out.

For the smaller webmasters that still feel this doesn't affect you please look at the websites thats put out by fightthepatent.com and IMPA.

These groups are definetly fighting for causes that directly affect all webmasters big and small.

that's his email addy

i know.....Looooong answers

Yes, i do type alot.. i can type faster than people can read, so in looking back, i can see where there is alot to digest.

Let me summarize the whole thing:

1) Acacia patent = bad
2) IMPA and defendants fighting against Acacia = good
3) Fight the Patent Foundation = good
4) IMPA and FTPF working together = good
5) Not reaching the pledge drive total = bad


-brandon

Excerpted from...

http://www.acaciatechnologies.com/pr...eAgreement.pdf

I'd highly suggest you go there and read in this order...
3.1
3.2
2.1
2.2

They might SAY one thing but if it was meant to be, then wouldn't some of this language have been removed or edited to reflect their position? Surely appears to be double dipping IS meant as a 'free access site' is defined as a seperate entity to the sponsor etc etc etc.

3.2 Gross Sales Gross Sales shall mean: (i) the gross dollar amount charged by Licensed User to End User Customers for access to the Covered Websites; and (ii) the gross dollar amount recieved by Licensed User for exit traffic from Covered Websites where there is NO CHARGE FOR ACCESS. With respect to sales to ANY PERSON. firm or corporation directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by, under common control with, or enjoying a specially favored course of dealing with Licensed User. GROSS SALES shall be the amount which would have been charged on an arm's length sale to a bona fide third party. Licensed User's Gross Sales is an accurate and convenient means for measuring the value of the licensed activities defined in Section 2.1, and that in light of this royalty base, the Royalty amount has been adjusted accordingly.

ya, but the pledge came from someone with a European IP.


-brandon

There is absolutely NO reason for you to be unwilling to be specific about what he's done.



bullshit. you're completely free to explain where in the process you are, what has happened thus far and when the date of the next actions will be.


if you're going to call Brandon as an "expert witness" god help you.

we're all free to think what we'd like.

and to those that settle, brandon will take pot shots at them yet has not done anything of value himself.

Even when times call for solidarity, we bicker amongst ourselves.

Probably 12clicks in Italy getting a tan.

of course not. I'm not a fool and neither are the people I know.

You don't get it vick. I asked questions and received multi paragraphed responses that didn't answer the simple questions. If you're asking for money, you better be able to answer questions.
This clown keeps bringing up his website where you can see his experience in this biz. I suggest everyone read it. It's like the resume you get from kids where they call babysitting "heathcare work" and McDonald's the "food service industry"
He's done nothing in this business but never misses a chance to slam the players in this biz.
Explaining to us how vivid and hustler's attorneys should have talked to him before settling. How they are screwing the industry. Calling Ken Lawson "some PR guy"
you want to take pot shots at industry leaders, explain what you've done thats better. making posts in over 100 threads about acacia doesn't amount to a hill of beans.

I've made a poll,

http://www.gofuckyourself.com/showth...hreadid=188795

1) I don't consider myself an expert.. but the people that I have been contacting are experts.. and guess what.... alot of mainstream doesn't like the porn industry... especially the experts... so why would they want to help some porn companies defense?

My efforts with these people are to convince them to overlook the p*rn side of it, and look at the real issue of an abuse of a patent that utilizes technology that these people created.

When I show that non-p*rn entities like Seton Hall University are also hit with information packets, they start to get the picture.

Having someone like me with a personal crusade to convince people to help goes along way than some attorney calling them up asking if they will testify.



2) Please tell me how i have expressed pot shots at those that settled.. that's too broad of a statement. I have webmasters that I talk on the phone and in email who have told me they have either signed or will sign. I don't release their names. have you seen me do that? I tell them that I understand their decision to settle because it's a lot of $$$ to fight.

I keep everything in confidence, but the names are ones you know.

What i have commented on is the fact that larger companies like Hustler and Vivid have the resources and more reasons to fight, because they are highly visible targets.... Acacia is not the only patent holder that will come through this industry.

In your personal quest to root out scam artists, you have yet to succeed here.

Any other questions?

-brandon

I wouldn't call it bickering, alot of great questions have been asked, and each one answered.. tho probably in more detail than most wanted....

12clicks has this personal mission to make me his "new toy" as he last left on in another post.

His mission is to expose me as a "scam artist".

He or any other detractor as yet to provide any evidence that I am a scam artist, and have yet to ask any questions that I have talked around.

I have given complete honestly and openness to discussion.

-brandon

For those that jump to the 2nd page, without going back to reading the first page, here is how this thread got started:


Welcome to this interview/debate thread.

I have put myself out to the public as one that wants to fight against patent abuse, and I am asking webmasters to make a pledge. I accept and deserve public scrutiny as to my motives, my methods, and my character. I have been a lurker for 5 years in this industry, and for many people, I am not known since I am not an adult webmaster.

12clicks has a personal mission to expose scam artists. I applaud his past efforts to expose people who are just looking to rip off newbie webmasters or experienced webmasters.

I open this thread for 12clicks, or anyone else that wishes to ask questions, to post in here with the following conditions:

1) Questions are relevant (specific personal information or identities of people involved may not be revealed due to confidentiality or privacy)

2) You read my answers

3) No name calling or use of any language that is other than professional


I am confident that I am not a scam artist, so let's give some structure to this event.

If I am able to answer all questions successfully and honestly, I would look for 12clicks to be able to offer his endorsement and support for my cause by contributing a pledge of $100 (the minimum amount that i am asking for).

If I falter, and seem to be hiding something or do not appear to understand the issues, fail in credibility, etc... then 12clicks would have successfully added another notch to his "scam artist" board.

Please limit 1 question to a post. Questions do not have to be answered before another question is asked. Given the nature of us having other activities, this allows one to return back to the discussion.

By posting a question, then we are in agreement.

-brandon

you're kidding, right?
let me make a prediction today so next month, 3 months from now, whenever, I can say I told you so.

"after much battling for our community and all of the hours I've put in, I believe I've done all I can and now I leave it up to blah blah blah, good bye. Brandon"


and the people who supported you and thought you'd protect them in some way? well, they'll still be here.

1) Is the length of the answers the problem? I already know you don't read my answers, the answers are for those who think you or others are asking good questions, and want to know my honest answers.

2) And if you ask questions, you should be reading the answers. Do you still not get it?!?!? I am not asking for money... I am asking for a pledge.. there is a difference. When it comes time to ask for money, credibility and accoutability with the issues that I will deal with in being able to convince people to take that non-binding non-contractual pledge, and turn into actual donations.


3) I have always stated that I am not an adult webmaster. I guess you don't think my efforts in providing technology to ASACP to fight against CP as one that shows good use of my time and talents. My professional (mainstream) resume is much more impressive.


4) Slam? i think not... criticize, yes.. much like you are doing with my efforts. Is it taboo to criticize against a large company just because they are profitable?

Just because someone makes millions of dollars, does that make them smart? If that were the case, Bill Gates would be abrilliant,... the thing is, he is brilliant, but i have never heard Bill Gates use words like "AssClown" and "Homo" like you have in your posts against me.

I have observed your style, you think in your righteousness, that posting a question means you can reveal the truth. For every question, I have given an answer. Your keep repeating that I haven't answered your first question about what steps i do next.. it's there in my posts, but I know you are not reading it, and just focusin on some word or phrase to pick apart.

Sad will be the day when Acacia patent gets invalidated, how foolish do you think you will look? I know, you don't care what people like me think, how about your peers?



5) You are absolutely correct, making posts doesn't do much to fight against Acacai, but my posts and words help to bring awareness to those who don't know about the issues and for those who have been sent notices.

That's why I started the idea of FTPF, so that I could make a different and fight. It takes money to operate, and this venture is not one where you raise investor money, it's a different structure much like PBS, Red Cross, ACLU, EFF, etc.. that rely on people who are successful and believe in a cause to be able to contribute to it.

Spike and Far-L are fighting back, and they don't have as many resources as maybe you or the big players. Would you call them foolish and wasting their money in defending, because the big boys settled, so that the patent must be true?


-brandon

Thanks for the prediction! Means that I made enough of a difference that should i step down, someone else will continue on.

Fight The Patent Foundation will be an entity that is beyond just me or just one individual.... Assuming FTPF to be running, I will one day step down to pursue other activities, but someone else will step in.

It has been said that the pioneers are the ones that have the arrows shot at them..... I recognize the fact that FTPF will not make the pledge drive, maybe in some part to your negativity and the backchannel conversations... if you take pride in that, well, that's your position.

You have yet to expose me as a "scam artist". If you are going to make a claim, try backing it up.



-brandon

For those that jump to the 2nd page, without going back to reading the first page, here is what we've discovered:

FightThisPatent isn't here to fight just acacia but also fight mythical other battles against mythical other patent holders. This explains why he has taken no direct action to fight acacia.

He plans to do nothing until he has 250k in hand he currently has about 32k in "pledges" so to fairly discount this he probably could get about 8k in cash.
Now what is the deadline acacia has given to pay the fee? and how will FightThisPatent be of any help by then?

All the work he's done with Far-L can't be talked about specifically.

No big players have pledged any support (lamented time and again by FTP and others in other threads). Now we know all the big players in this biz are rubes who know nothing.

does that cover it so far?

shouldn't the organization be created BEFORE the money is collected?

$250,000 is PENUTS when fighting a patent in court.... where is this money really going?

is that what it means? Not to the smart.

that's a huge assumption no one else would make.

No, it failed because of your ineptness. nothing more.
Thinking you're worthy of any backchannel conversations is silly.
I take pride in exposing story tellers looking for money

I called you a scam artist?
got a link?
this is your dopey thread, not mine.



-brandon [/B][/QUOTE]

I need to update my "adult industry kiddie resume".. I have just accepted the position of Patent/Legal moderator over at YNOT.

Maybe someone should tell YnotBob and Jay that I am a scam artist, and I have scammed them into believing that I am an honest and true individual.

It sure would make them look bad if I was a scam artist. So what does that mean?

Those that say i am a "scam artist" can't prove it, and but those that know me and know my integrity, words, and conviction seem to be able to find proof.

Just like with prior art.. Acacia keeps claiming there is no prior art, but yet, we seem to be finding it...and experts are being found that can come forward to testify.


-brandon