Film maker threatens blogger with legal action for bad review
Mikey 7 comments
File this one under 'cry baby'. Film maker BJ Davis has served a blogger with a legal notice with the intention of suing, all because the aforementioned blogger gave his film a bad review.
The film in question is called 'Forget about it', and the bad review can be read in full on the web site.
From the bloggers web site:
"The original e-mail sent to me by Julia Davis said, and I quote, “illegally using artwork to the feature film “Forget About It” and disseminating fraudulent, misleading and materially false information about the film in question.” For one, using artwork in a review would undoubtedly fall under fair use laws. Secondly, Allumination Filmworks likely owns the artwork used to promote Forget About It to U.S. DVD buyers. And third, court papers posted at Big Screen Entertainment’s website cast doubt on whether or not BJ Davis even owns the movie’s copyright at this point."
It's a pretty p*ss poor action to take in this authors humble opinion, and with any luck the case will be thrown out of court during summary judgement.
andrew
Monday 14th January 2008 | 11:26 PMmay he should just "forget about it"
Joe Marco
Tuesday 15th January 2008 | 03:57 AMI just forgot what I was gonna write.
Chris Hall
Tuesday 15th January 2008 | 03:15 PMThe real irony here is that by suing, BJ Davis ensures that many more people hear about the bad review.
Mikey
Tuesday 15th January 2008 | 03:18 PMChris Hall: I was thinking the same thing last night. Bad PR almost guarantees a revolt by the online community followed by loss of sales/earnings and then an eventual apology.
BTW I have it on good authority the film sucked :-)
Jake
Tuesday 15th January 2008 | 04:04 PMDoesn't this kind of open the proverbial flood gates?
This would mean that any blogger (outside of communist China) would be held accountable for their tom bloggery! That is just crazy...
This is utter bullcrap and as you've said, will only result in negative PR for the film and the producer.
Joe Marco
Tuesday 15th January 2008 | 10:13 PMLadies and Gentlemen, a piece of advice: if you don't want to feel like you have wasted precious moments of your life, then do not watch the trailer.
when I watched it, I cried tears of blood. That's how bad it was, I implore you, heed my words. The doctor said sight should return after a few days.
Rodney
Monday 14th January 2008 | 08:56 PMI reckon. It would set a very bad precedent and we'd be in some hot water. :-p
None the less, you do hear about idiot, technological Luddite judges making decisions such as supporting this claim all the time...
Here's hoping it doesn't even make it to court. If you're expressing an opinion, as a layman, I think you'd be fairly safe. Especially regarding art.