Aspies For Freedom

Today i received a legal document signed by 30 lawers global saying they are suing me for $90,000 reasons:
Copyright infringement
Funds Lost
And -1million Worth of Supporters Decline (cant be i got 1 hit per day on that site)
So the semi-popular site http://ntspeaks.org has been closed.

They also said any other websites to use the Autism Speaks Logo's, Phrases, And All Trade Marked Material Against Them Will Receive A Lawsuit As Well.

My supervisors plan was to bed for mercy... and i cant do anything without his approval

Copyright doesn't apply to parody sites - it comes under "fair use". For example, Weird Al is legally able to do parody songs using the same music as the original (he generally does ask permission, but only as a courtesy, and with a few exceptions).

Abscout, this is one of those things that is both a crisis and an opportunity.

It's entirely up to you whether to fight it or not (it is a bullshit charge, and it would be thrown out before going to court, but I understand that there's other sensitivities involved), but regardless of whether you choose to or not, go to the media.

This is a perfect opportunity to show people what Autism Speaks is all about.

Make sure you emphasise the figures they've exaggerated (1 million dollars lost revenue for 1 hit per day, etc), and the strongarm tactics used. Also, PM "Ethel" from this site (http://www.aspiesforfreedom.com/member.p...e&uid=5229), as she has plenty of experience dealing with the media, and should be able to give you more in-depth advice.

Also, make sure the blogging world knows about it - scan in the letter so you can show it to people, post comments on the more popular autism blogs and go from there.

Essentially, they've been rather stupid by sending you this letter. NT Speaks probably wouldn't have gotten much atttention, but threatening legal action definitely will.

Hit me with a copy of this letter too if you like. Autism speaks will be dealt with.

Definitely contact Ethel.

How pathetic of Autism Speaks that they're using money on lawyers for something stupid like this instead of using that money toward helping autistics.

The official written response from Autism Speaks was "No, Autism Speaks did not threaten to sue."

Since a Cease & Desist letter is a threat to sue - Autism Speaks is lying if they sent a C&D letter...........

I wonder though, how does she feel about all of this? She hasn't posted anything about this whole thing recently, I don't think. I wonder what's going on?