Quote:
Originally Posted by Jim_Gunn
Jimmy, I have another question- can you give us a rough idea of what you had to spend out of pocket for the attorneys and private detective and for other expenses in order to reach a settlement with the first individual or first few individuals? I like to get an idea just how cost prohibitive this kind of action is for a small to medium sized company that is looking to protect their copyrights.
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Many, many hours of my own time -- and that of a few other webmasters comparing IPs and other records.
The P.I. was about $1300 in Ohio.
Airfare, hotel, etc -- maybe another $800.
Lawyers -- just a couple of expensive lunches! Actually, both lawyers have been helping me with other stuff, like contracts and leases and things, for years and this was just sort of bundled in with general conversations. That will change in late August when all deadlines have past and we actually file a suit against those that haven't settled.
Thus far I am way ahead (if you don't count my own time).
Remember, besides the settlement money received thus far, there is the "member" issue.
Membership is up. The names are old names -- meaning guys that would subscribe a year ago, but hadn't recently -- but are back now. I think, as does another webmaster that helped me, that those guys (he sees same trend) would just get the content for free because they could, but now buy because they have to.
Jimmy