FSC, sending in DBAs and URL for inclusion in list

[Redrob]

Posted by Fight The Patent:

"ok, got more clarifications.. and yes, the signup form is very confusing.

If you did sign up as individual webmaster for $300.. you, your websites,and your DBAs are covered.

Since the form only has 1 box for URL, email your domains/Url/DBA to [email protected]


I think what they meant is affiliate webmasters go under the individual plan. if you own paysites, then you are under corporate by rate scale.. but then again, some affiliate webmasters make some high 5 and 6 digits....

so the word now from tom hymes, is that if you did sign up as a $300 individual webmaster member, you are covered, just email above your info so those can be added in.

if you paid $50 as an individual membership, then only YOU are covered, not any of your websites or DBAs.


Fight the Confusion!"
__________________

http://www.FightThePatent.com

[Giorgio_Xo]

FSC is kinda shooting themselves in the foot here and so are we. I need an official statement from Tom Hymes explaning the new "interpretations" of memberships.

[kernelpanic]

This whole thing is a confusing mess.

[FunForOne]

I'm not sure what all that means, but I just sent them an email with all my URLs to be added to the list.

I'm hoping that covers my new webmaster membership.

[candyflip]

I called and signup up via the phone, to cover myself. Business membership was taken care of yesterday.

The only option I was given as an individual webmaster $50. No one asked me for any DBA or Domain info.

Why wouldn't they make mention of this. I told them I run adult websites and he said, "Don't worry...this $50 membership fee has you covered".

[fusionx]

The agreement itself says (please note the bold sections):

2. From the date of this agreement until no later than 30 days after the date of the hearing on the motion for preliminary injunction or the date of a decision on the motion, whichever comes first, unless otherwise extended by the Court, the Government agrees: (1) not to conduct any inspections, with regard to the Plaintiffs and their members, under 18 U.S.C. section 2257 and the Attorney General?s new implementing regulations; and (2) not to pursue any claim against Plaintiffs and their members under 18 U.S.C. section 2257 and the Attorney General?s new implementing regulations.

and

5. By June 29, 2005, Plaintiff Free Speech Coalition, Inc., agrees to provide to a Special Master appointed by the Court a list of the names of those persons or entities who were members of Plaintiff Free Speech Coalition, Inc., as of June 25, 2005, at 2 p.m. The Government shall not be provided with the names of such persons, but shall instead consult with the Special Master before conducting any inspections under 18 U.S.C. 2257 and its implementing regulations, in order to ensure that such inspection would not involve a member of the Free Speech Coalition, Inc. Plaintiff Free Speech Coalition, Inc., shall bear all costs associated with this Special Master. For purposes of paragraph 2, ?the Plaintiffs? shall mean persons or entities on the list, Plaintiff Free Speech Coalition, Inc., as an organization, Plaintiff Free Speech Coalition of Colorado as an organization, David Connors, and Lenjo, Inc. D/B/A New Beginnings Ltd.

This says NOTHING about membership levels, URLs, etc. The FSC has only said they also want the DBAs of your organization(s).

So - the only important question that remains is Who will the FSC add to the list?

All members or only specific members according to the membership "level" or category?

[Matt_WildCash]

DBA's = Database Administrators ahh got it

[Chio The Pirate]

Originally Posted by Matt_WC

DBA's = Database Administrators ahh got it

YARGH! Actually it be meanin' Doin' Business As.

[fusionx]

Originally Posted by Chio The Pirate

YARGH! Actually it be meanin' Doin' Business As.

Yargh!

I was just about to post that

[Guitar Riff]

Extrotion Extortion Extortion I paid my fee early day after the announcement came aout new reg changes now I find out 1 site is covered not the other 12 I have so is useless.
just a side note any ruling in 10th district does not necesarily protect you 10th circuit is the states of Colo,kansas,missouri,okla, and a coule others so if the feds really wanted to be dicks they could say that rulig was in 10th district court and you arent covered under that ruling, Not saying that will happen just some food for thought

[Shoehorn!]

Originally Posted by candyflip

I called and signup up via the phone, to cover myself. Business membership was taken care of yesterday.

The only option I was given as an individual webmaster $50. No one asked me for any DBA or Domain info.

Why wouldn't they make mention of this. I told them I run adult websites and he said, "Don't worry...this $50 membership fee has you covered".

Same here, I've since called four times to try and get some kind of clarification with this and haven't received a good response thus far. I left a message at the help line but they said it might be awhile (if at all) if I get a call back.

[trix]

i signed up by phone yesterday and got no confirmation number nor did i get a confirmation email....did anyone else?

[candyflip]

Originally Posted by trix

i signed up by phone yesterday and got no confirmation number nor did i get a confirmation email....did anyone else?

I was told this could take up to two weeks.

[FightThisPatent]

from tom hymes:


Hymes here, responding to a request for clarification. Sorry I haven't come sooner, but Brandon called me last night while I was on the road, and I asked him to do it for me. I think he has, but let me reiterate, because I know the FSC website is not as clear as it should be.

Ues this page as a guideline, whether you apply by this method or not:

http://www.freespeechcoalition.com/online_app.htm

If you are an individual, that is to say, talent or someone who works for a company but is not a webmaster and owns no sites but still wants to be a FSC member, it's $50/yr, and you sign up under the Individual Memberships category. If you sign up under this one and you own adult websites, those URLs will NOT be included on the Master List, only you as an individual will be, and you must re-up under one of the following categories to have your websites or DBAs included.

If you are a webmaster, that is to say, you own, run or maintain your own adult websites, you can either use the $300 webmaster category under Individual Memberships OR the Corporate category that reflects your annual sales volume. EITHER ONE WILL DO. If you have already signed up for the individual $300 webmaster category, and you realize that you could have signed up for less under the corporate, do not worry, the difference will be refunded to you (unless you want to donate it to the cause!), but please do not sign up again at this time; instead, send an email to [email protected] explaining the mix-up, and someone will contact you to fix the problem when the dust has settled and our immediate work signing people up and compiling an accurate Master List is done.

If there is not enough room for you to list all your DBAs or URLs on the application, compile them into an email, with enough information so that we know who you signed up as, and email it to [email protected]. We will make sure you have applied to be a member, and the DBAs and URLs will be included on the Master List. This part can be done after today's 2:00 p.m. deadline ONLY if you have already become a member. Please take care of membership first! But in the interest of time and the avalanche of work we have to accomplish before Wednesday, please send the email with DBAs and URLs by the end of day tomorrow, Monday. I won't specify time zone, since we aren't imposing a strict cut-off. I do not know if DBAs or URLs can be added after the Master List has been compiled and sent to the Special Master, so please don't risk not having all your names on the list. EMAIL THEM IN BY TOMORROW.

If you have any further questions, please feel free to email m at [email protected]. I've been answering them and forwarding them on for the last several days, and will be here throughout the day today if you need me. Well, maybe not the whole day, but at least until well after the deadline has past. I am in L.A.

Thanks everyone, and I hope this helps to ease some of the confusion.

Tom
[email protected]

[FightThisPatent]

quick update from tom:



Oops. I meant to say, get us all DBAs and URLs by Monday, which is not tomorrow. Tomorrow is Sunday, unless you are in Australia! Sorry.

Tom

[candyflip]

Perhaps they should clue everyone in before taking our money.

The monkey on the phone had no clue.

[FightThisPatent]

Originally Posted by candyflip

The monkey on the phone had no clue.

I believe the term is Telecommunications Respondant Engineer.




Fight the PC!

[candyflip]

Originally Posted by FightThisPatent

I believe the term is Telecommunications Respondant Engineer.

Fight the PC!

I don't blame him at all. It's not his fault if he's trying to do a job for someone and they don't give him the proper information.

It seems like even they don't know what's going on and are making this shit up as they go along.

[will76]

Originally Posted by candyflip

Perhaps they should clue everyone in before taking our money.

The monkey on the phone had no clue.

Perhaps you should hire your own attorney to handle it. Or appreciate what we do have. Throwing this whole opperation together on extreme short notice with thousands of people joining up at once, thousands of more emails and phone calls, while also preparing to take on the US govt at the same time, You think some of you could be a little more understanding and appreciative. The only group trying to help us and a lot of people continue to critize them. Remember if it wasn't for the FSC, the DOJ would probably be inspecting your ass right about now. And unless you like anal probes I think you would be a little more appreciative of what the DOJ has done and not bitch about the "monkey" on the phone.

[fusionx]

Originally Posted by FightThisPatent

quick update from tom:



Oops. I meant to say, get us all DBAs and URLs by Monday, which is not tomorrow. Tomorrow is Sunday, unless you are in Australia! Sorry.

Tom

I just called, literally just now, and was told in plain english, if your name, or your organization's name, is on the list, URLs don't really matter.

The agreement itself calls for a list of names to be provided - not URLS. DBAs I fully understand - that would help avoid confusion.

Are the URLs part of the actual list being provided to the Special Master, or will they be added to a database and then looked up if there is any question about who owns a specific url, eg, to match it up with a name that is on the list?

I'm just curious..

[xxxice]

This is bullshit I am done

[Burnie]

Well I hope I covered my ass.

OTHER INDIVIDUALS EMPLOYED IN ADULT ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY
6/23/05 on phone $50

WEBMASTERS
6/24/05 on phone $300

INTERNET SERVICES $0 -- $99,999
6/24/05 on website $100

And I also emailed this and my DBA to [email protected]

[xxxice]

I am at the point now I would rather go to jail for 5 years then hear some new story about what I have to do now. My app is in and paid twice I can do no more

[xxxice]

Originally Posted by Burnie

Well I hope I covered my ass.

OTHER INDIVIDUALS EMPLOYED IN ADULT ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY
6/23/05 on phone $50

WEBMASTERS
6/24/05 on phone $300

INTERNET SERVICES $0 -- $99,999
6/24/05 on website $100

And I also emailed this and my DBA to [email protected]

I have done two of those not doing 1 more

[FightThisPatent]

Originally Posted by fusionx

I just called, literally just now, and was told in plain english, if your name, or your organization's name, is on the list, URLs don't really matter.

The agreement itself calls for a list of names to be provided - not URLS. DBAs I fully understand - that would help avoid confusion.

Are the URLs part of the actual list being provided to the Special Master, or will they be added to a database and then looked up if there is any question about who owns a specific url, eg, to match it up with a name that is on the list?

Your experience has been forwarded on.. i agree, there needs to be some intervention to the phone bank to get the right story to avoid further/additional confuson.

the domains/urls/dba are beeing provided to the special master, so that's why the correct story is just as Tom posted above, that you need to email that info in to be sure that it gets on the list.


Remember the intent of all of this...... DOJ has their own list of targets, rather than revealing them to FSC, they have a third party, that will hold FSC list, and answer yes or no, to DOJ inquiry of their list.

those that are on the FSC list and on the DOJ list would presumably get a strike through as they work down the list.

So if don't have all of your domains listed, then it's easy to understand how if they do have your name/url on the list, they would knock on your door.


Fight the Go Fish!

[dopeman]

how are individuals covered, but not their URLs? that doesn't make logical sense. a website is not a legal entity. it is not a business. the DOJ is not going to prosecute yourdomain.com UNLESS that's the legal DBA you have registered with your county and are receiving checks in that name.

if an individual has registered all his or her websites in his or her own personal name, and are receiving and depositing checks made out to his or her name, they shouldn't need to submit any domain name they might own. that's just propety like an office. are people submitting every office address they work from? how is the DOJ going to search and prosecute a website, but not the owner? something just doesn't seem right here.

[xxxice]

Originally Posted by FightThisPatent

Your experience has been forwarded on.. i agree, there needs to be some intervention to the phone bank to get the right story to avoid further/additional confuson.

the domains/urls/dba are beeing provided to the special master, so that's why the correct story is just as Tom posted above, that you need to email that info in to be sure that it gets on the list.


Remember the intent of all of this...... DOJ has their own list of targets, rather than revealing them to FSC, they have a third party, that will hold FSC list, and answer yes or no, to DOJ inquiry of their list.

those that are on the FSC list and on the DOJ list would presumably get a strike through as they work down the list.

So if don't have all of your domains listed, then it's easy to understand how if they do have your name/url on the list, they would knock on your door.


Fight the Go Fish!

It is a new story every hour and what there is 1 and a half hours left before deadline I love it

[xxxice]

I am not sending my urls in

[candyflip]

Originally Posted by FightThisPatent

Your experience has been forwarded on.. i agree, there needs to be some intervention to the phone bank to get the right story to avoid further/additional confuson.

the domains/urls/dba are beeing provided to the special master, so that's why the correct story is just as Tom posted above, that you need to email that info in to be sure that it gets on the list.


Remember the intent of all of this...... DOJ has their own list of targets, rather than revealing them to FSC, they have a third party, that will hold FSC list, and answer yes or no, to DOJ inquiry of their list.

those that are on the FSC list and on the DOJ list would presumably get a strike through as they work down the list.

So if don't have all of your domains listed, then it's easy to understand how if they do have your name/url on the list, they would knock on your door.


Fight the Go Fish!

I got the EXACT same line that fusionx. I specifically asked if $50 was all I had to pay to cover myself and my sites. I was told that this was indeed the case and that the person I spoke to had "been signing people up at $50 all morning".

I am not complaining about what they're taking on or trying to accomplish. They just seem to be EXTREMELY unorganized or they're just making it all up as they go along.

[xxxice]

Originally Posted by candyflip

I got the EXACT same line that fusionx. I specifically asked if $50 was all I had to pay to cover myself and my sites. I was told that this was indeed the case and that the person I spoke to had "been signing people up at $50 all morning".

I am not complaining about what they're taking on or trying to accomplish. They just seem to be EXTREMELY unorganized or they're just making it all up as they go along.

Same thing here

[Hymes]

Originally Posted by vanderweb

I have done two of those not doing 1 more

I don't blame you! Your ass is most certainly covered, and it looks as if you have money coming back to you. I'm really sorry for the confusion, but the deal was struck barely two days ago, so we're struggling to comply with it just like everyone else.

Tom

[xxxice]

Originally Posted by Hymes

I don't blame you! Your ass is most certainly covered, and it looks as if you have money coming back to you. I'm really sorry for the confusion, but the deal was struck barely two days ago, so we're struggling to comply with it just like everyone else.

Tom

Thank you very much all I wanted was an answer. I will stop posting my confusion now thank you

[Mr Pheer]

I'm sending in my name & dba but I'm not providing a list of my 200+ domains to anybody. If the DOJ doesnt know how to do a whois, then they shouldnt have started all this shit to begin with.

[Nasty]

Originally Posted by Redrob

Posted by Fight The Patent:
If you did sign up as individual webmaster for $300.. you, your websites,and your DBAs are covered.

What about all the webmasters making less than 100k and signed up for 100 bucks?

[V_RocKs]

Originally Posted by candyflip

I got the EXACT same line that fusionx. I specifically asked if $50 was all I had to pay to cover myself and my sites. I was told that this was indeed the case and that the person I spoke to had "been signing people up at $50 all morning".

I am not complaining about what they're taking on or trying to accomplish. They just seem to be EXTREMELY unorganized or they're just making it all up as they go along.

Do you drive with the minimum car insurance coverage too?

Intelligence tells me that $300 would have been your BEST option...

[candyflip]

Originally Posted by MrPheer

I'm sending in my name & dba but I'm not providing a list of my 200+ domains to anybody. If the DOJ doesnt know how to do a whois, then they shouldnt have started all this shit to begin with.

Also...how would they account for any new domains someone might buy between now and then?

[candyflip]

Originally Posted by V_RocKs

Do you drive with the minimum car insurance coverage too?

Intelligence tells me that $300 would have been your BEST option...

I have no problem with that, I was just TOLD by the person I spoke to that I didn't need to.

Which is the whole point of this thread. Someone seems to be giving out the wrong info because MORE THAN ONE PERSON has gotten pretty much the same WRONG story.

[fusionx]

Originally Posted by candyflip

Also...how would they account for any new domains someone might buy between now and then?

I hate the URL listing requirement.

The scenario should go like this:

DOJ: Hey - we got a complaint about www.fuckedsite.com. Checking whois - got the name. Checking the name. Name verified, it's accurate and not a scam.
Special Master: Sorry gents - that name is on my list.
DOJ: Bummer. Nice site though. I just rubbed one out.

It will probably go more like:

DOJ: Hey - we got a complaint about www.fuckedsite.com. Is that on your list?
Special Master: Umm... nope - don't see it here.
DOJ: Woohoo! Mount up, boys! We're going perv huntin!
...
DOJ: Open up - show us your records you pervy scum!
Webmaster: Umm.. I'm an FSC member - my corp. name is Fuckedsites, Inc. I just built that site and the URL isn't part of the record yet.
DOJ: Oh. Well, since your URL wasn't listed we're going to look at your docs and probably take your PCs with us. You have some hot content and we get bored a lot.

[dopeman]

Originally Posted by fusionx

I
It will probably go more like:

DOJ: Hey - we got a complaint about www.fuckedsite.com. Is that on your list?
Special Master: Umm... nope - don't see it here.
DOJ: Woohoo! Mount up, boys! We're going perv huntin!
...
DOJ: Open up - show us your records you pervy scum!
Webmaster: Umm.. I'm an FSC member - my corp. name is Fuckedsites, Inc. I just built that site and the URL isn't part of the record yet.
DOJ: Oh. Well, since your URL wasn't listed we're going to look at your docs and probably take your PCs with us. You have some hot content and we get bored a lot.

that's what i was worred about too. but i can't see how they could ever get a conviction if YOU the owner of that website according to the registrar are a member of the FSC. (assuming your domain name is not your fictitious or incorporated business name).

[Centurion]

Originally Posted by fusionx

I just called, literally just now, and was told in plain english, if your name, or your organization's name, is on the list, URLs don't really matter.

The agreement itself calls for a list of names to be provided - not URLS. DBAs I fully understand - that would help avoid confusion.

Are the URLs part of the actual list being provided to the Special Master, or will they be added to a database and then looked up if there is any question about who owns a specific url, eg, to match it up with a name that is on the list?

I'm just curious..

Told in plain English by WHOM?

[fusionx]

Originally Posted by dopeman

that's what i was worred about too. but i can't see how they could ever get a conviction if YOU the owner of that website according to the registrar are a member of the FSC. (assuming your domain name is not your fictitious or incorporated business name).

It would probably never go to court, as it's easy to determine if you were a member during the time period. However, it could easily lead to a lot of mistakes and bad busts.

[Centurion]

Originally Posted by Nasty

What about all the webmasters making less than 100k and signed up for 100 bucks?

Yeah..this question has NOT be addressed at all:
Signed up as a one person business listing income under $100,000.
If you have signed up with this arrangement, do your sites THEN have coverage?

[fusionx]

Originally Posted by Centurion

Told in plain English by WHOM?

The person who answered the phone - didn't get a name.

The real point is, the agreement calls for a list of names, not urls. Why involve domains at that level? Seems like it will only add complexity and confusion.

[FightThisPatent]

Originally Posted by MrPheer

I'm sending in my name & dba but I'm not providing a list of my 200+ domains to anybody. If the DOJ doesnt know how to do a whois, then they shouldnt have started all this shit to begin with.

um...whois is supposed to have the real info, but you and I know many times its bogus. then there is the situation that privacy option is enabled from the registrar.. so there is no contact info, and would require a subpeona to get that info


Fight the WhoWas!

[FightThisPatent]

Originally Posted by Centurion

Yeah..this question has NOT be addressed at all:
Signed up as a one person business listing income under $100,000.
If you have signed up with this arrangement, do your sites THEN have coverage?

yes, if you have them filed.



Fight the short responses!

[baddog]

I have to admit, that while I joined, I am very hesitant about sending in a list even if they are compliant.

Guess I will have to see what happens

[Theo]

Originally Posted by Giorgio_Xo

FSC is kinda shooting themselves in the foot here and so are we. I need an official statement from Tom Hymes explaning the new "interpretations" of memberships.

they have been doing that the past couple of days by allowing rumors to spread and not clearing things. It takes a single person to let know the majority of webmasters following the news to learn what's going on.

[Mr Pheer]

Originally Posted by FightThisPatent

um...whois is supposed to have the real info, but you and I know many times its bogus. then there is the situation that privacy option is enabled from the registrar.. so there is no contact info, and would require a subpeona to get that info


Fight the WhoWas!

my whois does have my real info, and is not privacy locked

the DOJ can do a whois if they want. even the phone number is real.

I will not be sending my domain list to anyone, I've done everything else required of me and this is where I draw the line.

[Shoehorn!]

Originally Posted by Burnie

Well I hope I covered my ass.

OTHER INDIVIDUALS EMPLOYED IN ADULT ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY
6/23/05 on phone $50

WEBMASTERS
6/24/05 on phone $300

INTERNET SERVICES $0 -- $99,999
6/24/05 on website $100

And I also emailed this and my DBA to [email protected]

I got a couple memberships myself just to (hopefully) have all bases covered.