From: Sandy Thatcher <[log in to unmask]> Date: Tue, 26 Feb 2013 09:36:12 -0600 I was once threatened with a suit because, in reacting to a criticism from a historian who denigrated the value of copyediting, I pointed to a book published by a major university press that probably would not have won a major national book award had it not been for the heroic efforts of the copyeditor in virtually rewriting the book. The author's lawyer sent me a letter demanding a retraction, under threat of a law suit, but I had the good fortune to receive pro bono assistance from a top law firm in NYC that instructed me on exactly how to respond. It probably didn't hurt either that I could back up my claim with documentation from the publisher's file, which no doubt would have proved embarrassing to the author had the matter ever gone to court. Sandy Thatcher > From: Wilhelmina Randtke <[log in to unmask]> > Date: Sun, 17 Feb 2013 13:48:54 -0600 > > It is just an angry letter. Just because it asks for money as well as > action doesn't change it into a suit, or more importantly a debt. No > collections agency would take this and act on it. > > Ordinarily, I would say, we all should be a little worried when > someone gets threatened for being honest about publishers. Day-to-day > you run risks, and may even bet your house against your actions > without realizing it. I don't mean that someone can sue you and win > the value of your house. I mean that someone can sue you and you can > then spend the value of your house on lawyers. > > What I see on this list has me more worried that the vast majority of > people in the library community can't tell when a threat (bluff?) > turns into legal action. So, I'm more worried about chilling effects > from the community against people employed in the community. So, for > a poorly informed supervisor or library director to take a dim view of > activities that are perfectly legal, good for the community, and have > minimal risk. Writing and posting a letter is simple and doesn't > require risk (of paying attorney's fees for frivolous suit), or filing > fees to write. It's way too easy to do, and if a letter gets a > reaction, then libraries are too easy to manipulate. > > Really, is there anyone on this list who thinks Jeff Beall has been > sued at this date? > > Several of you reacted to this letter by saying he's been sued. You are wrong. > > -Wilhelmina Randtke > > > On Sun, Feb 17, 2013 at 7:45 AM, LIBLICENSE <[log in to unmask]> wrote: >> >> >> From: Tony Sanfilippo <[log in to unmask]> >> Date: Fri, 15 Feb 2013 16:53:05 -0500 >> >> It's not just an angry letter. Isn't there also a demand for $10,000 >> for legal fees? Apparently the cost of drafting a letter has gone >> through the roof. If Mr. Beale removes them from his list AND pays >> them $10K he might avoid a lawsuit. But Joe's question about donations >> seems appropriate. >> >> Tony Sanfilippo