MLB shutting down fan sites?

ChrisCary · 07-31-2002, 11:01 AM

MLB has shut down the Mets fan site, Metsonline.net citing cybersquatting laws.

Seems like a bad time to be alienating fans to me

http://www.metsonline.net/

http://www.newsday.com/mynews/ny-spw...616jul31.story

JamesI · 07-31-2002, 11:12 AM

Well, maybe this is the back up for pissing off the fans if the strike falls through?

KCBOOMER · 07-31-2002, 11:14 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by JamesI
Well, maybe this is the back up for pissing off the fans if the strike falls through?

Oh, that's preposterous!! Isn't it????

Max Power · 07-31-2002, 11:22 AM

I know they went after some Astro sites - - think it all stems on if you use their s, SMs, or TMs, - - even in just pictures, it's NG with them.

On the Astro sites, the Astros stepped in and worked out a deal.

sweaver · 07-31-2002, 11:42 AM

I'll give MLB this, they do have to protect their copyrights or they are worthless. The web is a hotbed of copyright infringement.

Gosfgiants · 07-31-2002, 12:25 PM

I want know how exactly how said site was profiting by using s and trademarks. It seems a little silly to me. There are millions of web sites out there. To go after ones that use team s on the would take forever. A little like trying to sand particles on the beach. Of course MLB does not seem to get the whole aspect of fandom, so I am not surprised they would pull something like this.

thomasstearns · 07-31-2002, 12:37 PM

I'm actually starting to get tired of MLB. I still like baseball, but MLB doesnt mean baseball any longer. The league doesn't just need a new commish, it needs a whole new attitude. Couldn't they have worked something out with this kid rather than hit him with a barrage of lawyers? My god, baseball is really starting to resemble an oil conglomerate. I don't think I'll miss it that much if it ends this season.

Max Power · 07-31-2002, 01:14 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Max Power
I know they went after some Astro sites - - think it all stems on if you use their s, SMs, or TMs, - - even in just pictures, it's NG with them. On the Astro sites, the Astros stepped in and worked out a deal.

More on this: http://www.baseballprimer.com/clutch...00003804.shtml

Most had the same take on this - - - someone, who launches the fan site, is willing to promote baseball and a specific team - for free, no charge - and, baseball says "stop doing that!"

Reason number 117 how MLB shoots itself in the foot.

JamesI · 07-31-2002, 01:17 PM

How can there be copyright infrigement if the fan sites are not making money off of it?

spitball · 07-31-2002, 01:21 PM

I'm still chapped that MLB took over all the official team sites and made them all look the same. The baseball powers are complete imbeciles.

JamesI · 07-31-2002, 01:23 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by spitball
I'm still chapped that MLB took over all the official team sites and made them all look the same. The baseball powers are complete imbeciles.

Agreed. The orioles used to offer some information on team history that I couldn't find anywhere else on the net on their old site before mlb took it over and now it sucks.

RichG · 07-31-2002, 03:23 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by JamesI
How can there be copyright infrigement if the fan sites are not making money off of it?

I skimmed the link above but I think it's a case of trademark infringement, not copyright, that's being contended. Whether someone is making money or not off of it is irrelevant.

Kranepool · 07-31-2002, 04:10 PM

Bryan Hoch who runs the site has said he makes no money on this site,and I belive him. He also said if he ever did turn a profit he would donate it to charity.

I do agree that MLB must protect it's trademarks and copyrights but do they have to use such strong arm tactics in getting thire point across.

Sites like Bryan's are needed since MLB has destroyed the official team sites. Hopefully Bryan can revive his site maybe as a blog.

Fuzzy Bear · 07-31-2002, 05:33 PM

KRANEPOOL!!!!!

I LOVE IT! Someone remembers ED KRANEPOOL. When he was going bad in 1970, Karl Erhardt, the guy who always had the signs, had one for Ed that said "Super Stiff". Then, after Ed came back from a mid-career demotion to Tidewater and hit better than ever, Karl had a sign for him that said "It's Mr. Excitement!"

Welcome to the forum, Kranepool!

I remember, as a kid, how Bob Murphy, Linzy Nelson, and/or Ralph Kiner (whoever broadcast the 1st inning of Met games) would dutifully announce: "This broadcast is the express property of the New York Mets. Any publication, reproduction, or other use of the pictures, descriptions, or accounts of this game without the express written consent of the New York Mets is prohibited."

The Mets, arrogant as they may seem to appear in this, have a right to their revenue stream. It would be hypocritical to bash a ballclub for mismanaging its affairs by cutting off revenue streams, and then bash them for allowing the copyrights that protect those streams from being infringed on. The issue was framed as the little guy vs. big, bad, baseball ownership, but it's more basic than that. It's about "Can you take away what's mine by a majority vote of people who don't have an interest in the matter?"

Property rights are just that: RIGHTS! Copyrights are COPY RIGHTS! I want my rights respected and upheld in court. Fred Wilpon and Company are entitled to no less.

padresfan19 · 07-31-2002, 05:56 PM

Regardless of whether MLB is justified or not in trying to protect their properties, all they are doing is sticking to what they do best - alienating the fans. I say

to MLB.

07-31-2002, 11:01 AM	#1
ChrisCary High and tight Join Date: Apr 2001 Posts: 1,281	MLB shutting down fan sites? MLB has shut down the Mets fan site, Metsonline.net citing cybersquatting laws. Seems like a bad time to be alienating fans to me http://www.metsonline.net/ http://www.newsday.com/mynews/ny-spw...616jul31.story

07-31-2002, 11:22 AM	#4
Max Power NetShrine Creator & Curator Join Date: May 2002 Location: NetShrine WHQ Posts: 5,548	I know they went after some Astro sites - - think it all stems on if you use their s, SMs, or TMs, - - even in just pictures, it's NG with them. On the Astro sites, the Astros stepped in and worked out a deal. __________________ Steve, Forum Administrator "They come and they go, Hobbs. They come and they go." That's why there's NetShrine.com

07-31-2002, 12:25 PM	#6
Gosfgiants NetShrine All-Century Team Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: San Francisco, CA Posts: 1,136	I want know how exactly how said site was profiting by using s and trademarks. It seems a little silly to me. There are millions of web sites out there. To go after ones that use team s on the would take forever. A little like trying to sand particles on the beach. Of course MLB does not seem to get the whole aspect of fandom, so I am not surprised they would pull something like this. __________________ It'll always be Pacbell Park Beat LA!!!

07-31-2002, 05:56 PM	#15
padresfan19 NetShrine All-Star Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: San Diego Posts: 106	Regardless of whether MLB is justified or not in trying to protect their properties, all they are doing is sticking to what they do best - alienating the fans. I say to MLB. __________________ "I'd rather be lucky than good."- Lefty Gomez

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07-31-2002, 11:12 AM	#2
JamesI Netshrine Vacuum Cleaner Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Potsdam, N.Y. Posts: 3,723	Well, maybe this is the back up for pissing off the fans if the strike falls through?

07-31-2002, 11:42 AM	#5
sweaver Netshrine Cleanup Hitter Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: The Mountain State Posts: 8,883	I'll give MLB this, they do have to protect their copyrights or they are worthless. The web is a hotbed of copyright infringement.

07-31-2002, 12:37 PM	#7
thomasstearns NetShrine All-Star Join Date: May 2002 Location: Montana (cue dueling banjos) Posts: 104	I'm actually starting to get tired of MLB. I still like baseball, but MLB doesnt mean baseball any longer. The league doesn't just need a new commish, it needs a whole new attitude. Couldn't they have worked something out with this kid rather than hit him with a barrage of lawyers? My god, baseball is really starting to resemble an oil conglomerate. I don't think I'll miss it that much if it ends this season.

07-31-2002, 01:17 PM	#9
JamesI Netshrine Vacuum Cleaner Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Potsdam, N.Y. Posts: 3,723	How can there be copyright infrigement if the fan sites are not making money off of it?

07-31-2002, 01:21 PM	#10
spitball Guest Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Studio City, Ca. Posts: 1,751	I'm still chapped that MLB took over all the official team sites and made them all look the same. The baseball powers are complete imbeciles.

07-31-2002, 04:10 PM	#13
Kranepool NetShrine Hot Prospect Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: New York City Posts: 27	Bryan Hoch who runs the site has said he makes no money on this site,and I belive him. He also said if he ever did turn a profit he would donate it to charity. I do agree that MLB must protect it's trademarks and copyrights but do they have to use such strong arm tactics in getting thire point across. Sites like Bryan's are needed since MLB has destroyed the official team sites. Hopefully Bryan can revive his site maybe as a blog.

07-31-2002, 05:33 PM	#14
Fuzzy Bear NetShrine's Evangelist Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Living by faith, and not by sight! Posts: 2,194	KRANEPOOL!!!!! I LOVE IT! Someone remembers ED KRANEPOOL. When he was going bad in 1970, Karl Erhardt, the guy who always had the signs, had one for Ed that said "Super Stiff". Then, after Ed came back from a mid-career demotion to Tidewater and hit better than ever, Karl had a sign for him that said "It's Mr. Excitement!" Welcome to the forum, Kranepool! I remember, as a kid, how Bob Murphy, Linzy Nelson, and/or Ralph Kiner (whoever broadcast the 1st inning of Met games) would dutifully announce: "This broadcast is the express property of the New York Mets. Any publication, reproduction, or other use of the pictures, descriptions, or accounts of this game without the express written consent of the New York Mets is prohibited." The Mets, arrogant as they may seem to appear in this, have a right to their revenue stream. It would be hypocritical to bash a ballclub for mismanaging its affairs by cutting off revenue streams, and then bash them for allowing the copyrights that protect those streams from being infringed on. The issue was framed as the little guy vs. big, bad, baseball ownership, but it's more basic than that. It's about "Can you take away what's mine by a majority vote of people who don't have an interest in the matter?" Property rights are just that: RIGHTS! Copyrights are COPY RIGHTS! I want my rights respected and upheld in court. Fred Wilpon and Company are entitled to no less.

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