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« on: June 22, 2014, 10:40:11 PM »
It seems hard to believe that 6 years have gone by. Little did I know what would develop when I answered that Avvo post all those years ago. I have to say that having just re-read it, most of it still applies, word for word! The credit for starting ELI goes to Matt Chan for identifying that this issue went far beyond his case and the one or two folks that contacted me after my Avvo post. That Avvo post went on to become the most viewed in Avvo history and I have never seen another Avvo post with as many "Helpful" votes as that one (71!).
As Matt describes in his post, through a series of emails and phone calls, I joined Matt on ELI as legal adviser. Matt and I shared many of the same sensibilities - that law can be explained to and understood by lay persons if lawyers just lifted the condescending tone and used plain English and that if you really stand by an issue, put your name and face behind it to show your conviction to folks. Since then ELI has helped thousands of people learn about this issue and understand the problems associated with copyright infringement and copyright trolling.
As time went on, more and more people were added to the ELI team and the site is as vibrant and alive as it is today because of folks like BuddhaPi, Greg, Jerry, Lucia, Peeved and many others to numerous to list. These team members have added insight from all walks of life and fields of expertise that makes ELI the #1 source for information about the topics it covers. It is a testament to our straightforwardness, fairness and penchant for accuracy that in all the years that ELI has run, no digital media company has attacked its posts or representations as false, misleading or wrong; and don't think for one minute that there are not many many companies and individuals who would love to see ELI taken down. Many folks may disagree with our opinions and many folks have posted negative comments or disagreements with our stance on particular issues. And Matt has always been one to leave those posts up for all to see. We don't hide from opinions even those that differ from our own. That is another thing I love about the site - the open exchange of the forums.
Beyond any dispute, ELI has changed the conversation about copyright trolling and digital image litigation in general. Without ELI, Getty and others would have run unfettered across thousands and thousands of web sites demanding insupportable damages and frightening people into overpaying on infringement claims. People facing these claims would have nowhere to turn for advice and information. It remains a vibrant and valuable resource on the issues.
So to say the least I am extraordinarily proud to be affiliated with ELI; to count Matt and the others as my compatriots and friends; and to have been able to help so many people through this site. I cannot thank you enough Matt for having brought me into ELI and for your friendship and counsel over the last 6 years. Here's to the next 6 and more! I leave you with one of my favorite quotes that seems very appropriate for the occasion: Sometimes the lights all shining on me, other times I can barely see, lately it occurs to me, "What a long, strange trip its been!"
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