FightThePatent.com calls it quits - Page 2 - GoFuckYourself.com

Randy · 02-07-2004, 03:42 PM

You are goingto be missed in this capacity Brandon!

Mr.Fiction · 02-07-2004, 03:44 PM

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!

FightThisPatent · 02-07-2004, 05:06 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Sig Whore

Do you mean all the donations you received from people?

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

FightThisPatent · 02-07-2004, 05:22 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Mr.Fiction
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.

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

Paul Markham · 02-08-2004, 12:35 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by FightThisPatent

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.

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

mardigras · 02-08-2004, 02:38 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by charly
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...

FightThisPatent · 02-08-2004, 11:39 AM

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

02-07-2004, 03:08 PM	#51
Keev Confirmed User Join Date: May 2001 Posts: 5,335	50 __________________ ReliableServers.com - NO REF LINK!

02-07-2004, 03:42 PM	#52
Randy Confirmed User Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: LA Posts: 335	You are goingto be missed in this capacity Brandon! __________________ Thanks Randy [email protected]

02-07-2004, 03:44 PM	#53
Mr.Fiction Confirmed User Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Free Speech Land Posts: 9,484	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! __________________ Don't be lazy, protect free speech: ACLU \| Free Speech Coalition \| EFF \| IMPA

02-08-2004, 11:39 AM	#58
FightThisPatent Confirmed User Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 4,090	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 __________________ http://www.t3report.com (where's the traffic?) v5.0 is out! \| http://www.FightThePatent.com \| ICQ 52741957