> The issue of where local websites and blogs stand with libel and
> copyright laws has execrised a lot of concern amongst the lcoal online
> community in the UK and overseas. We've had conversations about this
> issue with a few folk leading up to our event. Philip John of the
> Lichfield blog has said he's keen to be involved in a session on this
> issue and Mike Slocombe of Brixton-based Urban 75 has promised us
> great stories about CentrePoint and the Scientologists.

> Yup, we are in the middle of a silly issue. Just had one user complain
> that someone else had used their online name. Normal reaction would be
> to say, sorry, first come first served. However, the aggrieved user
> has in fact got a trademark for their login name as they write their
> own blog etc and trade as a result. Original user now very fed up and
> cannot see what the fuss is about.

> Would appreciate some legal guidance etc.

> On 1 Sep, 12:49, Hugh Flouch <hugh.flo...@networkedneighbourhoods.com>
> wrote:

> > The issue of where local websites and blogs stand with libel and
> > copyright laws has execrised a lot of concern amongst the lcoal online
> > community in the UK and overseas. We've had conversations about this
> > issue with a few folk leading up to our event. Philip John of the
> > Lichfield blog has said he's keen to be involved in a session on this
> > issue and Mike Slocombe of Brixton-based Urban 75 has promised us
> > great stories about CentrePoint and the Scientologists.

> Yup, we are in the middle of a silly issue. Just had one user complain
> that someone else had used their online name. Normal reaction would be
> to say, sorry, first come first served. However, the aggrieved user
> has in fact got a trademark for their login name as they write their
> own blog etc and trade as a result. Original user now very fed up and
> cannot see what the fuss is about.

> Would appreciate some legal guidance etc.

> On 1 Sep, 12:49, Hugh Flouch <hugh.flo...@networkedneighbourhoods.com>
> wrote:

> > The issue of where local websites and blogs stand with libel and
> > copyright laws has execrised a lot of concern amongst the lcoal online
> > community in the UK and overseas. We've had conversations about this
> > issue with a few folk leading up to our event. Philip John of the
> > Lichfield blog has said he's keen to be involved in a session on this
> > issue and Mike Slocombe of Brixton-based Urban 75 has promised us
> > great stories about CentrePoint and the Scientologists.- Hide quoted text -

> - Show quoted text -

> We haven't had quite this kind of issue to deal with but in similar
> situations the advice we have received has always been to try and get
> the two parties to resolve it between themselves.

> You could say to the person that if he takes legal action to enforce
> his trademark claim you will suspend use of it by other users until
> the claim is resolved. Failing that you are not in a position to
> adjudicate the matter yourself so you can't take any action.

> Our advice received is that this kind of response is sufficient to
> protect you against any direct legal action. It should effectively
> close the issue as far as you are concerned. Our experience is that in
> 90% of cases people threatening legal action don't follow through to
> the point of actually going to speak to a solicitor about the matter.

> Obvious disclaimer here that I don't have any legal qualifications and
> the advice given to us may not be directly relevant or applicable to
> your case despite my personal opinion that it might be.

> Sean Kelly

> Neighbour Net

> On Sep 2, 2:06 pm, Giles Gibson <giles.gib...@originaltg.com> wrote:

> > Yup, we are in the middle of a silly issue. Just had one user complain
> > that someone else had used their online name. Normal reaction would be
> > to say, sorry, first come first served. However, the aggrieved user
> > has in fact got a trademark for their login name as they write their
> > own blog etc and trade as a result. Original user now very fed up and
> > cannot see what the fuss is about.

> > Would appreciate some legal guidance etc.

> > On 1 Sep, 12:49, Hugh Flouch <hugh.flo...@networkedneighbourhoods.com>
> > wrote:

> > > The issue of where local websites and blogs stand with libel and
> > > copyright laws has execrised a lot of concern amongst the lcoal online
> > > community in the UK and overseas. We've had conversations about this
> > > issue with a few folk leading up to our event. Philip John of the
> > > Lichfield blog has said he's keen to be involved in a session on this
> > > issue and Mike Slocombe of Brixton-based Urban 75 has promised us
> > > great stories about CentrePoint and the Scientologists.- Hide quoted text -

> > - Show quoted text -

> we have put up a couple of general posts to help people in this area

> http://talkaboutlocal.org.uk/copyright/

> and

> http://talkaboutlocal.org.uk/libel-defamation-keeping-it-legal/

> links out extensively to plain english resources written by lawyers

> just about the best legal advice, which very few follow is to set up a
> limited company and keep the website inside that.  then you don't lose
> your house to a nutter under defamation law

> cheers

> w

> On Sep 8, 12:23 pm, Sean Kelly <sean.ke...@chiswickw4.com> wrote:

> > We haven't had quite this kind of issue to deal with but in similar
> > situations the advice we have received has always been to try and get
> > the two parties to resolve it between themselves.

> > You could say to the person that if he takes legal action to enforce
> > his trademark claim you will suspend use of it by other users until
> > the claim is resolved. Failing that you are not in a position to
> > adjudicate the matter yourself so you can't take any action.

> > Our advice received is that this kind of response is sufficient to
> > protect you against any direct legal action. It should effectively
> > close the issue as far as you are concerned. Our experience is that in
> > 90% of cases people threatening legal action don't follow through to
> > the point of actually going to speak to a solicitor about the matter.

> > Obvious disclaimer here that I don't have any legal qualifications and
> > the advice given to us may not be directly relevant or applicable to
> > your case despite my personal opinion that it might be.

> > Sean Kelly

> > Neighbour Net

> > On Sep 2, 2:06 pm, Giles Gibson <giles.gib...@originaltg.com> wrote:

> > > Yup, we are in the middle of a silly issue. Just had one user complain
> > > that someone else had used their online name. Normal reaction would be
> > > to say, sorry, first come first served. However, the aggrieved user
> > > has in fact got a trademark for their login name as they write their
> > > own blog etc and trade as a result. Original user now very fed up and
> > > cannot see what the fuss is about.

> > > Would appreciate some legal guidance etc.

> > > On 1 Sep, 12:49, Hugh Flouch <hugh.flo...@networkedneighbourhoods.com>
> > > wrote:

> > > > The issue of where local websites and blogs stand with libel and
> > > > copyright laws has execrised a lot of concern amongst the lcoal online
> > > > community in the UK and overseas. We've had conversations about this
> > > > issue with a few folk leading up to our event. Philip John of the
> > > > Lichfield blog has said he's keen to be involved in a session on this
> > > > issue and Mike Slocombe of Brixton-based Urban 75 has promised us
> > > > great stories about CentrePoint and the Scientologists.- Hide quoted text -

> > > - Show quoted text -

> I have now published the results of my survey:

> http://meejalaw.com/2010/09/17/online-law-survey-mixed-feelings-about...

> 19/71 small online publishers had been involved in legal trouble in
> last two years. Of the 19, only 4 sought paid legal advice. There were
> some really interesting points made about resources.
> Talk About Local was mentioned by a couple of respondents.

> I plan to continue looking into this area and would like to work with
> hyperlocal publishers to campaign for access to courts data;
> and draw attention to difficult issues.

> I am sad that I will miss the LNO event  - I hope it goes well and is
> productive for you all

> J

> On Sep 21, 3:45 pm, william perrin <williamjper...@googlemail.com>
> wrote:
> > we have put up a couple of general posts to help people in this area

> > http://talkaboutlocal.org.uk/copyright/

> > and

> > http://talkaboutlocal.org.uk/libel-defamation-keeping-it-legal/

> > links out extensively to plain english resources written by lawyers

> > just about the best legal advice, which very few follow is to set up a
> > limited company and keep the website inside that.  then you don't lose
> > your house to a nutter under defamation law

> > cheers

> > w

> > On Sep 8, 12:23 pm, Sean Kelly <sean.ke...@chiswickw4.com> wrote:

> > > We haven't had quite this kind of issue to deal with but in similar
> > > situations the advice we have received has always been to try and get
> > > the two parties to resolve it between themselves.

> > > You could say to the person that if he takes legal action to enforce
> > > his trademark claim you will suspend use of it by other users until
> > > the claim is resolved. Failing that you are not in a position to
> > > adjudicate the matter yourself so you can't take any action.

> > > Our advice received is that this kind of response is sufficient to
> > > protect you against any direct legal action. It should effectively
> > > close the issue as far as you are concerned. Our experience is that in
> > > 90% of cases people threatening legal action don't follow through to
> > > the point of actually going to speak to a solicitor about the matter.

> > > Obvious disclaimer here that I don't have any legal qualifications and
> > > the advice given to us may not be directly relevant or applicable to
> > > your case despite my personal opinion that it might be.

> > > Sean Kelly

> > > Neighbour Net

> > > On Sep 2, 2:06 pm, Giles Gibson <giles.gib...@originaltg.com> wrote:

> > > > Yup, we are in the middle of a silly issue. Just had one user
> complain
> > > > that someone else had used their online name. Normal reaction would
> be
> > > > to say, sorry, first come first served. However, the aggrieved user
> > > > has in fact got a trademark for their login name as they write their
> > > > own blog etc and trade as a result. Original user now very fed up and
> > > > cannot see what the fuss is about.

> > > > Would appreciate some legal guidance etc.

> > > > On 1 Sep, 12:49, Hugh Flouch <
> hugh.flo...@networkedneighbourhoods.com>
> > > > wrote:

> > > > > The issue of where local websites and blogs stand with libel and
> > > > > copyright laws has execrised a lot of concern amongst the lcoal
> online
> > > > > community in the UK and overseas. We've had conversations about
> this
> > > > > issue with a few folk leading up to our event. Philip John of the
> > > > > Lichfield blog has said he's keen to be involved in a session on
> this
> > > > > issue and Mike Slocombe of Brixton-based Urban 75 has promised us
> > > > > great stories about CentrePoint and the Scientologists.- Hide
> quoted text -

> > > > - Show quoted text -

> --
> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google
> Groups "London Neighbourhoods Online" group.

> We're looking forward to seeing you at Riverside House, Southwark Bridge
> Road, for a 10.00 start on 25th September.

> To post to this group, send email to
> LNO-unconference-September-2010@googlegroups.com

> To unsubscribe from this group, send email to
> LNO-unconference-September-2010+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com<LNO-unconferen ce-September-2010%2Bunsubscribe@googlegroups.com>
> For more options, visit this group at
> http://groups.google.com/group/LNO-unconference-September-2010

> Hi Judith

> fab stuff, thanks for sharing it and great to see people turning to
> organisations like Talk About local for help as well as the more established
> sources [and credit to Will for being there to help]

> I can see a hyperlocal legal surgery emerging to run alongside the social
> media surgery... no doubt Nick has been running one in Birmingham for
> years?! ;-)

> our network of brighton & hove community reporters is now starting to build
> and we know already that this is going to be a long-running issue for them

> we include a basic overview and examples in the training we offer but as
> much as possible we make sure people are aware that:
> a] there is a lot of confusion about this issue
> b] they are not exempt
> c] when and how to get help

> on the final point your research is really useful to provide signposts and
> examples of what to ask for when

> it's also worth saying that in the context of the neighbourhood online
> unconference [which I can't make] I would expect to see different issues for
> the reporters we work with and the people who run the websites and offline
> publications that publish their stories - these range from community
> newsletters and blogs to the local newspaper.

> It would be interesting to see whether/how that difference emerges in the
> discussion this weekend.

> thanks

> mark

> On 22 September 2010 19:51, JTownend <jt.town...@gmail.com> wrote:

> > I have now published the results of my survey:

> >http://meejalaw.com/2010/09/17/online-law-survey-mixed-feelings-about...

> > 19/71 small online publishers had been involved in legal trouble in
> > last two years. Of the 19, only 4 sought paid legal advice. There were
> > some really interesting points made about resources.
> > Talk About Local was mentioned by a couple of respondents.

> > I plan to continue looking into this area and would like to work with
> > hyperlocal publishers to campaign for access to courts data;
> > and draw attention to difficult issues.

> > I am sad that I will miss the LNO event  - I hope it goes well and is
> > productive for you all

> > J

> > On Sep 21, 3:45 pm, william perrin <williamjper...@googlemail.com>
> > wrote:
> > > we have put up a couple of general posts to help people in this area

> > >http://talkaboutlocal.org.uk/copyright/

> > > and

> > >http://talkaboutlocal.org.uk/libel-defamation-keeping-it-legal/

> > > links out extensively to plain english resources written by lawyers

> > > just about the best legal advice, which very few follow is to set up a
> > > limited company and keep the website inside that.  then you don't lose
> > > your house to a nutter under defamation law

> > > cheers

> > > w

> > > On Sep 8, 12:23 pm, Sean Kelly <sean.ke...@chiswickw4.com> wrote:

> > > > We haven't had quite this kind of issue to deal with but in similar
> > > > situations the advice we have received has always been to try and get
> > > > the two parties to resolve it between themselves.

> > > > You could say to the person that if he takes legal action to enforce
> > > > his trademark claim you will suspend use of it by other users until
> > > > the claim is resolved. Failing that you are not in a position to
> > > > adjudicate the matter yourself so you can't take any action.

> > > > Our advice received is that this kind of response is sufficient to
> > > > protect you against any direct legal action. It should effectively
> > > > close the issue as far as you are concerned. Our experience is that in
> > > > 90% of cases people threatening legal action don't follow through to
> > > > the point of actually going to speak to a solicitor about the matter.

> > > > Obvious disclaimer here that I don't have any legal qualifications and
> > > > the advice given to us may not be directly relevant or applicable to
> > > > your case despite my personal opinion that it might be.

> > > > Sean Kelly

> > > > Neighbour Net

> > > > On Sep 2, 2:06 pm, Giles Gibson <giles.gib...@originaltg.com> wrote:

> > > > > Yup, we are in the middle of a silly issue. Just had one user
> > complain
> > > > > that someone else had used their online name. Normal reaction would
> > be
> > > > > to say, sorry, first come first served. However, the aggrieved user
> > > > > has in fact got a trademark for their login name as they write their
> > > > > own blog etc and trade as a result. Original user now very fed up and
> > > > > cannot see what the fuss is about.

> > > > > Would appreciate some legal guidance etc.

> > > > > On 1 Sep, 12:49, Hugh Flouch <
> > hugh.flo...@networkedneighbourhoods.com>
> > > > > wrote:

> > > > > > The issue of where local websites and blogs stand with libel and
> > > > > > copyright laws has execrised a lot of concern amongst the lcoal
> > online
> > > > > > community in the UK and overseas. We've had conversations about
> > this
> > > > > > issue with a few folk leading up to our event. Philip John of the
> > > > > > Lichfield blog has said he's keen to be involved in a session on
> > this
> > > > > > issue and Mike Slocombe of Brixton-based Urban 75 has promised us
> > > > > > great stories about CentrePoint and the Scientologists.- Hide
> > quoted text -

> > > > > - Show quoted text -

> > --
> > You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google
> > Groups "London Neighbourhoods Online" group.

> > We're looking forward to seeing you at Riverside House, Southwark Bridge
> > Road, for a 10.00 start on 25th September.

> > To post to this group, send email to
> > LNO-unconference-September-2010@googlegroups.com

> > To unsubscribe from this group, send email to
> > LNO-unconference-September-2010+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com<LNO-unconferen ce-September-2010%2Bunsubscribe@googlegroups.com>
> > For more options, visit this group at
> >http://groups.google.com/group/LNO-unconference-September-2010

> --
> Mark Walker
> Project Manager and South East Regional ICT Champion
> SCIP | IT Services for Charities and Communities
> *Hardware, Software, IT Support, Websites, Databases, Training, Consultancy
> & Advice*

> Community Base, Queens Road, Brighton BN1 3XG
> Tel: 01273 234049   Mobile: 07956 627116
> Email: mark.wal...@scip.org.uk   Web:www.scip.org.uk
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