Cabinet Bouchara Avocats/Vanessa Bouchara / Getty Images Censorship-Gag Letters

[Greg Troy (KeepFighting)]

I think Eugene was prepared to gear up for a big fight and then we would have to have a legal reunion.

However, Greg still hasn't gotten his apology yet so it isn't quite over yet.

Eugene is so funny. Their half assed apology "spoiled/ruined" his fun! LOL!!!

Ya...'twas funny that the "disregard" and "sincerest apologies" went to EUGENE first WTF??!
Glad to hear that actual  "LETTER RECIPIENTS" of this bullshit got an apology as well for what that is worth anyway.

I did send the following letter out yesterday and received and apology from Vanessa today which I appreciate but I also insist on one from Getty as well.  I will be sending out another letter hopefully tonight or tomorrow.

January 11, 2017
Ms. Vanessa Bouchara
Cabinet Bouchara Avocats
17 rue du Colisée – 75008 Paris

 
RE: Getty Images Cease and Desist Letter sent to GettyImagesMustChange.com

 
Ms. Bouchara,

I received your cease and desist letter in the mail on January 10, 2017 by registered letter. You sent it to the wrong address and it took a few days to catch up to my new address. I must say I was a little surprised by it.  After looking you and your law firm up, I see you claim to be intellectual property specialists. I was very confused as to how you assume French Law would apply to me and my website being an American citizen operating a U.S. based website directed at U.S. citizens.  My site contains document-supported, fact-based reporting accompanied by my personal opinions on your client’s business practices.

The Securing the Protection of our Enduring and Established Constitutional Heritage (Speech Act) states that foreign defamation judgements are unenforceable in the U.S. unless the foreign findings are consistent with the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.  All statements on my site that are not document-supported are my OPINION which is fully supported by my First Amendment rights. I also believe that under French Law, any claim against me or my site must be made within 90 days of the original posting, not 90 days from when you noticed it. Prior to receiving your letter, my last post was almost two years ago. This is a moot point anyway, as I stated my opinions are protected speech.

You accuse me of “acts of gross disparagement seriously damaging Getty Images’ image” yet I believe it is your client who is doing it to themselves by doing things like having foreign law firms send me letters threatening me with legal action over protected speech using foreign law.  This, Ms. Bouchara, is the type of letter I refer to as “harassing”, “bullying“ and “unethical“ and the type of behavior I have come to expect from your client.  Why does your client not attempt this with a U.S. lawyer?  Because, in my opinion, they know it has no merit and are hoping that the letter recipients will panic and fear the implied imminent lawsuit and take their websites, articles, or blogs down.

You state in your letter that if I do not comply with your client’s demands, they will “initiate all appropriate action against me”.  Again, it is vague but threatening and definitely an implied legal threat.  I will tell you right now that I have no intention of complying with your client’s demands and fully intend on reporting on all this and your clients attempts at censorship of free speech.  The last time your client threatened me with the possibility of legal action after refusing to negotiate in good faith, I ended up launching a campaign to inform recipients of your clients letters that if they felt as I did and Getty Images refused to provide proof of claim or negotiate in good faith, they could file complaints with the Attorney General and other agencies.  It appears this resulted in 117 complaints filed with the Attorney General in the 18 months. I tracked it.

Your client’s new letter attempting to remove free speech they do not like has irritated me enough that I am considering starting the campaign up again reaching out to all those you have sent these letters to.  I really do not want to do this, I have better things to do with my time.  I am willing to let everything go and dismiss this if I receive an apology from you, Ms. Bouchara, and your client along with dismissing this claim.  If I receive these apology letters or emails, I will do a follow up article showing your client has withdrawn their claim and apologized.  I truly hope we can end this amicably.


Regards,
 
Greg Troy
GettyImagesMustChange.com

[Jerry Witt (mcfilms)]

Greg, your letter is sheer perfection.

[Greg Troy (KeepFighting)]

Greg, your letter is sheer perfection.

Thank you Jerry

[Peeved]

Greg is a rock...strong and steady.
Glad you got your apology from at least one source Greg.