#2
Some Jerk put up an Internet Scam page to get people to send him or her $5 for copies of Grateful Dead tapes. Not actually having anything to sell, the Jerk put a direct link to my web site, which had an impressive list of Grateful Dead tapes for trade. Out of the blue, I was emailed the following:
Dear Mr. Bryant:
For many years, the Grateful Dead offered its concert audience the freedom to audio record its performances. This gesture was made in order to allow the band's followers the freedom to enjoy, collect and trade tapes from notable shows. The sale of tapes or any other music product not authorized by Grateful Dead Productions is strictly prohibited. Grateful Dead Productions is the sole and exclusive owner of all rights in and to the GRATEFUL DEAD name for sound recordings. This property is protected by the copyright and trademark laws of the United States and other nations.
I recently visited your website and see that you offer for sale Grateful Dead properties. Your unauthorized distribution of Grateful Dead, Jerry Garcia and Bob Weir music constitutes copyright and trademark infringement under both state and federal law. You are subject to criminal and civil action for distribution of these materials for sale.
Accordingly, by this letter, we hereby demand that you immediately cease and desist from such unauthorized use of Grateful Dead properties. We further demand that:
1. By 5:00 p.m. PDT on Thursday, March 4, you advise this office in writing that you have withdrawn from sale all infringing products; this includes removing the offer from your website;
2. You deliver immediately to this office:
(a) an accurate list, including addresses of all individuals or companies to whom your have sold or distributed such items; and
(b) a written statement of the number of units embodying the unauthorized marks sold to date along with an accounting of the total receipts derived from such sales. If you fail to comply with these demands, we shall instruct our lawyers to vigorously enforce our rights under the law.
Sincerely,
GRATEFUL DEAD PRODUCTIONS, INC.
<name removed> Director,
Intellectual Property Division
cc: <List of Lawyers Removed>
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GRATEFUL DEAD PRODUCTIONS, INC.
P.O. Box X
Novato, CA. 94948
(415) 884-5500 FAX: (415) 884-0212 ==========================================================
We cleared it up, but it was a mess...