Lawsuit over photo contests

hark

Administrator
Staff member
Super Mod
As ridiculous as it is, the lawsuit is draining the photographer's money. From what I've heard, there are a few other photographers the company is also targeting. And this isn't the company's first time suing--something about a previous lawsuit against a musician web site, graphic artists who do t-shirt designs, and 2 photography web sites.
 

RTaylor

Senior Member
too late 480sparky, Garofalo owner of Garfum already patented it.
If you have members from NJ, he is also claiming infringement because "NJ is his district"
It's a junk patent and my lawyers are already petitioning to the court to invalidate the patent :(

Here is an article written on Tuesday by our lawyer Daniel Nazer and his team of lawyers from EFF
https://www.eff.org/press/releases/photo-hobbyist-attacked-patent-bully


...........scurries off to patent on-line photo forums.............
 

RTaylor

Senior Member
can you imagine receiving a phone call from lawyers in NJ saying they want to represent you because there is a patent infringement case against me? I wasn't even listening 100% at first because it all sounded like a scam and I was waiting to hear give us your credit card number.
The more they talked to me, I suddenly came out of brain daze to realized it seemed more true, but still not believing it, I said please email me documents or info of who you are and what this is all about so I can pass it along to my husband.

Nothing came via email, and because I was busy getting ready for New Hope Arts Festival, I had forgotten to tell my husband.
Until that one rainy night, KNOCK KNOCK, I knew it wasn't my neighbor who sometimes comes to our door, because it was raining, and knew she would not run across in the rain, would have called my cell instead.
My husband could hear the fright in my voice when he heard me say UH OH!!! as I walked to the front door :(
I was in a daze the whole weekend while in my booth, couldn't even concentrate. New Hope Art Festival is one of 2 of the largest art festivals held every year in Bucks County rain or shine
 

480sparky

Senior Member
too late 480sparky, Garofalo owner of Garfum already patented it.
If you have members from NJ, he is also claiming infringement because "NJ is his district"
It's a junk patent and my lawyers are already petitioning to the court to invalidate the patent :(

Here is an article written on Tuesday by our lawyer Daniel Nazer and his team of lawyers from EFF
https://www.eff.org/press/releases/photo-hobbyist-attacked-patent-bully



............... scurries off to patent junk patents............
 

RTaylor

Senior Member
RE: As ridiculous as it is, the lawsuit is draining the photographer's money.

Not IS draining, it HAS wiped out my business account. Already dipping into personal money.
Scrounging to come up with money to enter art festivals this year since it's my only business income besides online sales.
 

hark

Administrator
Staff member
Super Mod
RE: As ridiculous as it is, the lawsuit is draining the photographer's money.

Not IS draining, it HAS wiped out my business account. Already dipping into personal money.
Scrounging to come up with money to enter art festivals this year since it's my only business income besides online sales.

Thanks for the clarification. I stand corrected. :)
 

Nero

Senior Member
Our weekly and monthly challenges are doomed. 

On a serious note, this must be one of the most silly patents ever.
Oh, definitely. Some of the patents I've seen are just completely nonsensical and this is one of them.

This is definitely a good example of someone trying to make money off of patent-trolling.
 
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Its Just Me

Senior Member
RE: As ridiculous as it is, the lawsuit is draining the photographer's money.

Not IS draining, it HAS wiped out my business account. Already dipping into personal money.
Scrounging to come up with money to enter art festivals this year since it's my only business income besides online sales.

Your business account has been drained, you are scrambling to find more money to fight this.

Do you HONESTLY think any of the money grubbing politicians in Congress actually give a crap about YOUR problems?

They will identify more with the patent troll than they will with an honest citizen.

And that is sad.
 

Marcel

Happily retired
Staff member
Super Mod
here is an update. Although the case is not over yet, the good news is I am going to DC next week and have been asked to be one of the speakers in front of Congress in support of patent reform.

Patent Reform Briefing - Splash
Well I wish you well Ruth. Some people have to be fought so they won't attack others on similar faked charges. There are a lot of crooks out there just looking for a loophole to make a quick fortune.
 

RTaylor

Senior Member
you are correct Marcel, why the heck would anyone think they need a patent to run competitions on the internet. Half the internet if not more is all about uploading photos, videos and any digital files to share and celebrate the arts.

If they really cared about the "art of creating videos" or photography, they wouldn't be so greedy to go and sue anyone running competitions.
.
 

Marcel

Happily retired
Staff member
Super Mod
you are correct Marcel, why the heck would anyone think they need a patent to run competitions on the internet. Half the internet if not more is all about uploading photos, videos and any digital files to share and celebrate the arts.

If they really cared about the "art of creating videos" or photography, they wouldn't be so greedy to go and sue anyone running competitions.
.
I think the person that issued that "Patent" should be sued :) Maybe that would teach them something about stupidity.
 
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