Brandon, First, what will it take for you to continue forward?

You made a difference and we all lose without your efforts. I made a pledge and it still stands.

If Fight The Patent were a paysite and that's what it took for you to continue, I'd join!!!

I know that if all sent in their pledges, the $37K wouldn't really be enough.

Your anger with Spike may fade. Perhaps, there is a reason he could not call. If you can carry on, you will not lose respect here if you pickup the ball and continue.

I ask you to leave your site up and at least give the issue what time you can. If you want to add anything to the mix that generates cash, I'd say go for it.

Thanks for your efforts and I'm sure you will have our support in your new position as CTO of ASACP along with your new venture. My sincere hope is that you'll continue to be a source of information on Patent issues!! I wish I had the ability to better express myself here.

Who will interrupt what?s going on with the case? It?s going to be a long one it seems. The implications are huge. Gathering information will now be harder and take longer.

I have had so many offer to send money, but i have respectfully declined.... I am not leaving the scene, just focusing my time. No one asked me to step into this role of activism, and i never asked to have negativity thrown at me during the 7 months. I am not looking to be a hero nor for fame, i take stands on issues that are wrong and i know there are many supporters of my efforts.

I will keep the website up and still update it, just cutting back considerably to focus back on generating income and providing a living..

i have spent so much time in talking to webmasters, posting on boards, phone calls, etc to get people informed, and i have never regretted a second of it. I have made alot of friends (and some enemies) along the way, and I am thankful to so many who have trusted me with confidential information.

we are now over the hump.. everyone knows the issues and about Acacia.. .all that is left is to wait and see....

I have never been a reporter.. i write my satirical stories to present facts within humor. Now that reporters are on the scene and writing stories, the coverage of Acacia will grow.

I am focusing my activism now in fighting against copyright infringement.. and this time, my efforts do include making money from my time... for some reason, people think that activists can exist without an income stream... all lobbyists get paid for their efforts.. the difference with me, is i haven't taken anything from anyone.

People should join the IMPA.. there shouldn't just be one lone voice trying to ring the bells for alarm...there needs to be an organization that looks out for the group..and the IMPA is the organization to do it.

So many are not card carrying members... without unity on common issues, you are left to face the business problems alone.

Spike called this morning and we had a chat. I'm fine with everything and I will continue to support IMPA.



-brandon

What income stream?

Do you mean all the donations you received from people?

Why is a person only truly appreciated when he's gone.

I've followed Brandon for months and a little more of this support then would have made it easier.

In fact some here did their utmost to bring him down and belittle his efforts, didn't you 12clicks? :mad:

Brandon, I hope you will stick around. It's just a shame this has come so late.

He did not receive a penny for his work, he actually gave up working to concentrate on this for us.

You were the voice man. I know I sure look up to you.

Thanks for all your hard work...

I always enjoyed reading your updates...


Is there anyway to contact you to get a copy of your 'prior art' page you had up at one time?

Would be a shame to loose all that time, work and info....



anyways, thanks again and good luck with your future endeavors...

good luck :thumbsup

Sorry to hear about your decision.

You did an incredible job and I have tons of respect for you and your efforts. Not too many people devote their time and energy into things they feel are great causes.

Now you can help fight racism and jew comments on GFY!

Best of luck with your new ventures.

50

You are goingto be missed in this capacity Brandon!

You've done some good work, but if you are willing to give up after only a few months, you probably weren't cut out for this fight. The Acacia battle is going to take years.

Good luck in whatever else you decide to do!

I didn't receive donations from anyone.. i ran a pledge drive to gain support for Fight the Patent Foundatin prposal.. the pledge goal wasn't reached, so no money was taken.

I have had many offer to send money, and i have declined.

I haven't taken a cent from anyone... instead, had stopped my consulting to be very active behind the scenes (i did more than just post on message boards and write funny articles)... that was my revenue stream before i stopped it.


-brandon

No one asked to be in the fight and I have never wanted to be the target for ignorant criticisms (from multiple boards) and attacks that I have endured through the 7 months.

I got pissed off enough about the issue one day to do something about it.... to not just sit there and read about it, but to do something about it.

I stopped my consulting (which is how i generate income) and devoted full time effort the first 5 months to fighting patent abuse issues like Acacia.

Along the way, i did not accept any money from anyone.. I did this out of my conviction to bring attention to the issue so that many othes will join in the fight. I did try to bring a proposal where i could formalize my efforts to create Fight the Patent FOundation, and yes that does mean i would get paid from that, but for some reason, people think they activism should be free and i was heavily criticized for it.

This isn't about not getting a phone call (which Spike did call me this morning)... this is about the realization that I can't go on without providing an income for my family. My active involvement is more than posting on GFY.. if that were the case, i can understand some of the ribbing.. since so many webmasters spend their time posting all day on this board.

Actively chasing down companies and individuals on the phone, email, and fax is a very time consuming and so is trying to get them motivated to help.

Since my efforts have been so visible, I had to post my message as I did, there is no fading silently away.


Yes, this problem could last a long time.. but the prior art is there, the counter claims are there.. the game is in play.

My hope is that the next time some company thinks they can just roll in and throw a patent license around, that webmasters will take a stronger stance.

I'll be there ringing the bells..... next time, I will be better capitalized to really make a difference.... so I am continuing my activism in the fight against copyright infringement and some nasty issues that will hit this industry...

I strongly support the IMPA and the defendants and they will prevail.

I'm still on the right side of the fence in doing what is right, so for that, I am the right cut for the fight.


-brandon

Maybe when that happens a few more will realise this and not Visa is our biggest threat.

I'm sure Visa will happily be Acacia's processor...

I have been reading on various message boards the suggestion that I was bought out by Acacia, working for them, or got some kind of C&D notice from them.

The easiest answer is "Lies, Lies, and more Lies".

Activism requires time. Time is purchased with money. If a cause does not have money, they run out of time.

My active efforts were self-funded. I didn't ask money from people and I didn't take any when it was offered (and it was). After pushing hard for 5 months in a full time intensive effort then sliding back the last 2 months, it was time for me to change my priorities.

I initiated a proposal that if 1,000 - 2,000 webmasters would contribute $100 each as a one-time donation, that Fight the Patent Foundation could be formed as a non-profit organization that could work on fighting patent abuse with a grassroots approach.

Prior art and expert witness testimony are key factors in defending against a patent infringement case. Similar to BountyQuest.com (now defunct), prizes would be awarded to those that contributed prior art. The concept of "Pay it Forward" would motivate people to come forward to give expert testimony in exchange for Fight the Patent Foundation making a charitable contribution to a charity of their choice.

Activists go through three stages in my observations, starting at being Optimstic that they can change the world, to Realistic, that change comes slowly, to Jaded that people don't care about the cause because of inactions.

Sad to admit, but I have gone through the steps to the end as I have found that everyone is concerned about patent abuse, but so few will do anything about it.

I started the pledge drive for Fight the Patent Foundation back in September, and at that time it would have been a reactive response to patent abuse cases like Acacia.

Now that the prior art has been found and the court case has started, it would be a proactive measure to start FTPF. But in my jaded experience, people aren't very good about being proactive.

When the next patent abuse issue comes around, you'll be sure to hear me ringing the bells. I hope that at that time, companies will have seen the lesson of Acacia, that you have to be reactive and proactive with information, research, and unity.



-brandon