http://news.yahoo.com/s/n...8tDV2VEhkF

FIGHT THE POWER PRINCE FANS, I AM SUPPORTING YOU PRINCE.ORG, HOUSEQUAKE.COM, AND PRINCEFAMS!



Prince moves to sue fan Web sites By Mike Collett-White
39 minutes ago



LONDON (Reuters) - Fan sites dedicated to Prince say they have been served legal notice to remove all images of the singer, his lyrics and "anything linked to Prince's likeness," and have vowed to fight what they said was censorship.


The move was a shock to his army of followers and came two months after Prince threatened to sue YouTube and other major Internet sites for unauthorized use of his music.

But by targeting fan sites directly, Prince risks a backlash, and the sites have vowed to unite under the banner "Prince Fans United" and take the matter to court if necessary.

"We strongly believe that such actions are in violation of ... freedom of speech and should not be allowed," said a statement from the three sites -- www.housequake.com, www.princefams.com and www.prince.org.

A company helping Prince control his image and music on the Internet said the fan sites had spun the story so that it was "incorrect and misleading."

"At no time is Prince suing his fans and this is not about freedom of speech," said John Giacobbi, managing director of Internet policing specialist Web Sheriff.

"The current issue is one between Prince's record label and three unofficial Web sites and relates to the use of Prince trademarks and photographs, many of which are Prince's copyright," he told Reuters.

Giacobbi said Prince was expected to issue a full response to the fan sites' statement later on Wednesday.



The sites now feature an image of a hand print with "pfu" (Prince Fans United) written on it.

Prince's agent in London said all matters concerning the artist should be referred to its office in Beverly Hills, where no one was immediately available for comment.

The fan sites said Prince, 49, had demanded the removal of fans' photographs of Prince-inspired tattoos and vehicles displaying Prince-inspired license plates.

They urged Prince to reconsider his decision, but vowed to defend their position in court if need be.

"The law clearly provides for displaying of images of a celebrity's likeness for newsworthy events or matters which are considered to be public interest," they said.

Prince, behind such groundbreaking albums as "Purple Rain" and "Sign O' The Times," is renowned for his unconventional approach to music and marketing.

He performed with the word "SLAVE" scrawled across his cheek in protest against his then record label and changed his name to an unpronounceable symbol.

He gave his "Planet Earth" album away free with a Sunday newspaper earlier this year, infuriating music retailers but winning plaudits from fans for innovation.
[Edited 11/7/07 7:36am]
[Edited 11/7/07 7:38am]
[Edited 11/7/07 7:39am]

Bullshit.

I was wondering - did Prince/the Web Sherrif ever actually demand the removal of the tatoo/license plate pictures, or is this an interpretation by the website guys?

mehogeni said:

Interesting.

This story is now on Yahoo's front page.

....
[Edited 1/19/08 14:27pm]

Prince is going to issue a full response! Yeah right! That Web Sheriff dude is gonna be all over the news spouting a bunch of drivel in Prince's name trying to clean up his mess!

RodeoSchro said:

I was wondering the same thing. There was also this statement that made me question if it was being "interpreted":



To me, this is definitely interpretation, not an actual demand that was made to remove pics of tatoos and license-plates, as well as ending any discussion of Prince-related topics. What I mean is they have been asked to remove certain content (and the mandate to how Prince is referred to??? if obliged) has resulted in the interpretation that this would (should be "could") mean the end of any discussion of Prince-related topics, hosting of images (even of people's symbol tattoos!) and more. That's why I haven't gotten all up in arms about this. Also, it was PFU that stated they would go to court if necessary, not anything I've seen as yet from the Prince camp. Also the websites were asked how they were going to compensate Prince for using copyrighted material, did anyone even think to offer a few dollars and see what the response was?

LittleRedCorvette said:

I was wondering 2 if it could all be in the interpretation LittleRedCorvette.
.
[Edited 11/7/07 8:13am]

Sure, there will be a statement issued, but it will either be legalese babble from WebSherrif or meaningless, incoherent drivel from Prince about the "Ways of the Pharaoh" or some such shit.
[Edited 11/7/07 8:40am]

Ohh so he will leave response. As long as it's a clear one without bibel references and poetic talking but one straight to the point I say Thank Goodness! Not very likely but he should take the chance to write it himself giving a good explanation so people can calm down or at least understand.

VenusBlingBling said:

If it's a bible refrence response I'll translate it 4 u Hiya VB

LittleRedCorvette said:

GREAT POINTS! I am with you!!

I am still waiting to see the language in the documents proving that Prince/WS are wanting or demanding these sites to be shut down or all photos be taken off etc as Prince is accussed of.

I TRIP on how people say and make statments about PRINCE and what he is doing as if they know exactly what is in his head or if they are Prince themself.

There is so much negative mudslinging against Prince that it is now just stupid.

I love and appreciate the ORG but I do not appreciate reading negative things based on hate, lies and slander about Prince or anyone when it seems to fit the aagenda of the so called fan's version of what he or she thinks Prince should be in thier own mind.


For now I am waiting to see thruth rise..

TikiColadas said:

And if Prince has a press conference and says, "Yes, I want all images of me removed from these sites, even ones of somebody's tattoo! I also don't want any discussion of me, my music or any thing in relation to me or my business on these sites. Yes, that is includes The Time, Vanity 6, The Revolution, Sinead O'Conner's hit song, The Happy Feet movie, etc."

Then what?

katt said:

Thanks katt

RodeoSchro said:

If you read Ben's blog on the subject (when he first received notice) he mentions that some 3500 images were requested removed from the org and that some of those images listed included tattoos and license plates.

I'll be happy when the little man holds a press conference in plain english to explain what exactly is going on in his head.
[Edited 11/7/07 9:11am]

Co-sign.

I have been saying all along that we don't know the nature of the letters the websites have recevied. Have lawsuits been filed? How did the story spin to fans being sued?

I hope P releases a good statement to explain exactly what the letters said to the websites.
-----

TikiColadas said:

CarrieMpls said:

-----

Okay what does that have to do with lawsuits?

In a nutshell. If the man is ONLY trippin' off of legitimate copyrighted material belonging to him, then we really ain't got no legit beef -- it's all business and nothing personal... But if he on that old religious, "no idolization or imagery" B.S., then he can go screw himself... This is the real freakin' world already...

laurarichardson said:

I was simply answering rodeo's question.

As for what it has to do with it, they were requested being taken down due to copyright infringement, which, some of the images clearly are not copyrighted by Prince.

CarrieMpls said:

-----
Okay then take down the ones that are copyrighted a leave up the ones that are not. I don't understand all the outrage and how this whole story got turned around to fansites being sued and fans being sued.

It is going to be interesing to see how P handles this and I would not be so quick to write him off.

TikiColadas said:

Didn't you know that the mods are not allowed to disclose those documents under threat of persecution ?

"Whilst writing, we would caution you against communicating any further correspondence or remarks to third parties that could, in any way, be construed as being libellous of PRINCE or that could otherwise constitute a malicious falsehood, injurious to our clients’ business interests. Similarly, we would remind you that this communication is the copyright of Web Sheriff and, as such, any publication and / or dissemination to third parties would be actionable. Furthermore, Web Sheriff cannot be held liable for the consequences of any such publication and / or dissemination in the event that the same originated from yourselves or parties connected to you."

These kind of intimidation techniques is what they are up against. Fortunately they can still "quote" those documents and that's what they did on their websites.

I bet they would like to disclose those letters but they are just not willing to take more risks. So don't blame it on them, but blame Prince for trying to obscufate the matters.
[Edited 11/7/07 9:40am]

I think the publicity is a good thing. It's going to bring forth the discussion of free speech, determination of copyright infirngement and so on to the masses as we surge on into the internet age.

However, be advised the news sources will edit the stories as they see fit to wrap them into what is the most interesting story to grab a headline. So the fans who are standing steadfast with pfu need to be adamant that their grievences are repeated consistently and and unedited and they they shall not have their voices twisted and misconstrued.

LittleSister said:

I am not in any way blaming the mods on these sites, but just stating that I would like to see the language in the documents. After all, they are making references to the documents by telling us what is in them and the demands by Prince/WS...I just would like to see what is said. Wouldn't you?

But the name calling, insults and negative slander is a bit much in my opinion...

I believe that here has to be more to all this than just what Prince is accused of.

SexyBeautifulOne said:

Then what???

What are you going to do yourself? Do you already believe without a shadow of doubt these accusations to be true? Do you already believe that PRINCE wants fan sites shut down, images removed, people talking about him etc., etc.?

Do you have 1st hand knowledge of what Prince is doing let alone what is in his mind?

I don't know what is in Prince's mind or what he is trying to do...I am not going to jump on the hate wagon.

I just want clarity...

The "problem" with the internet is that any one OR any idiot can post or blog whatever they want no matter if it's truth, a lie or something partially based on a truth and spun to fit a personal agenda and call it "free speech". The byproduct of that problem is that "some" people believe it and spread the lie as if it were truth.

You and I both know we have NOT seen the language in the documents NOR know what is in Prince's head and what he is trying to do if anything. All we know is what is been told to us from the fan sites based on these documents. So they can't tell us or show us what's in them due to "threat of persecution".

Understand I am not saying the "mods" are misleading us but I believe there is more to this story than the "ONE" sided view of anger that is currently dominating the net about Prince.

Ask yourself...do you think "OSWALD" was the sole lone assassin who killed Kennedy like the Government said. After all, the Government has sealed top secret documents and evidence only they can view.

Let's give Prince a chance to explain what he wants to do or is trying to do.

Love4OneAnother

The best thing about Reuters getting a hold of this story is we the fans will finally get a response from Prince and not third parties.

Prince is probably saying, "What the hell is going on?" He's probably been in his studio since Sunday doing whatever and missed the whole PFU web site launch on November 5, 2007. Wow, only two days. the Internet is amazing.

I can't wait to read Prince's response. I have a feeling we the fan sites have won this battle when it comes to photographs, tattoos, and commentary.

Prince forced Photobucket to remove all images of him... even items he does not own the copyright to. Many people's albums are all gone. Prince and Web Sheriff and Prince's lawyers show little regard to who owns what. They even removed the album covers.The only person spinning this story, is Web Sheriff.

TikiColadas said:

Do I already believe that PRINCE wants fan sites shut down, images removed, people talking about him etc., etc.? Beyond a shadow of a doubt?

I most certainly do! I've witnessed him do this shit before and I said at the time that if the fans did not stand up to his foolishness, he'd do it again!

Not many were brave enough to ruffle his royal feathers, they made excuses, pleaded his rights, then basically sat back and watched as many very good sites were yanked because of his tactics and manipulations and here we are again in 2007 with the same shit!

Personally, the idea of waiting for him to wake up one day and decide that he no longer wants anyone to listen to "Head" or "Sister" anymore because he no longer likes it and they're his songs, just doesn't appeal to me!

So if this site goes down, I'll be the angry chick on youtube with PFU wrote on my face!
[Edited 11/7/07 10:51am]

SexyBeautifulOne said:[quote]

TikiColadas said:

Funny!