Attorney Wanted

[Ross Scott]

 

Hey everyone, while I'm guessing most of the people who watch these videos aren't lawyers, I wanted to at least see if there were any out there who would be interested in giving me a hand. I've been trying to contact Machinima.com for about a week and a half regarding some important matters and have not only been unable to get a reply from their legal department (which this concerns), but I can't even get a DATE when I can expect to hear from them. The last time I showed patience with Machinima.com it didn't work out very well, so now I'm trying to expedite the process.

 

I'm not even sure what I can reveal about this situation publicly, but I'm looking for some legal advice regarding my video rights and Machinima.com engaging in what I would call "less than legal" activity that's affected me personally. I am not looking to go to court over anything, in fact I wish to avoid that if possible, however it's looking like I might need some sort of legal notice sent to them otherwise it could be months (again) before anything gets done.

 

Unfortunately I do not have a lot of money, so I would either need some pro bono help or at some sort of discount. Someone who has experience in contract law would probably be best. Anyway, if you think you might be able to help, please contact me at [email protected].

 

Everyone else: I'm still working on more videos!

[Pinkie Pie]

I'll get my top guys on the case.

Sorry, I absolutely had to make the joke.

 

But seriously, I dunno what Machinima's deal is but they're acting as transparently evil/retarded as Microsoft right now. What with greedy constrictive contracts and constant stupid products/videos that aren't funny, it just seems like they have all collectively lost it.

[Arby]

^ I want to chalk it up to similar nonsense anti-intellectualism as the insane meaningless non-art that emerged in Wiemar Germany, but what do I know...

 

On topic, sorry that I'm not a lawyer or else I jump at the call to fight for the One Free Man ('s voice/mind.)

[Father Deus]

Ross gets all the points for Alan Shore and Denny Crane.

[Br0keneye]

I am taking Introductory Law classes... I might be able to provide a minimal amount of help if no other people can help.

[BTGBullseye]

https://www.eff.org/about/contact

 

Check and see if they can do something... They have in the past with stuff similar.

[JudasPhysicist]

You lived in America correct Ross ?

 

So I suppose law students from other countries wouldn't be able to be much help due to diffrent law orders.

 

And I just happen to be a humble Physicist, sorry

[Guldfisk]

I know a law student from Ireland, I'm going to check with him if he thinks that he can help you out

[Ross Scott]

You lived in America correct Ross ?

 

So I suppose law students from other countries wouldn't be able to be much help due to diffrent law orders.

 

And I just happen to be a humble Physicist, sorry

Yes, I'm an American citizen. As for different legal systems, that's something to consider, however the issue in question on Machinima's part is relatively straightforward. Without revealing any details (I don't know if I can or not, I'm not sure), I'll say they clearly have violated the contract I have with them, repeatedly, over a period of years, without ever informing me (I only discovered this just recently). This creates a very strong precedent for me regaining the rights back on a lot of my videos, I'm hoping I can get it for all of them.

[GordonFreeman]

My mum's an attorney, she says you need to find someone in your state who handles intellectual property law.

[Average Internet Guy]

I've read their contract and understand the legal issue that's going on here, and Machinima's completely in the wrong on this one. I think you've got a really strong case against them.

 

Related evilness:

 

http://www.develop-online.net/news/44224/Machinima-claimed-Minecraft-sales-cut

[OlafurArons]

I don't know if this has been said before but i think you could seek free legal (known as legal aid in the u.s.) since you know, being low on cash and all.

[HLPrincess]

I've read their contract and understand the legal issue that's going on here, and Machinima's completely in the wrong on this one. I think you've got a really strong case against them.

 

Related evilness:

 

http://www.develop-online.net/news/44224/Machinima-claimed-Minecraft-sales-cut

 

[regarding the article in the link]

 

It almost leaves me speechless how greedy some companies become all the sudden. I think because there is no real law regulation on YouTube videos, they just try to squeeze as much money as possible from people who work for their popularity without being asked. I thought it's already a mutual benefit!

 

"We already sell millions of games, f*ck our PR!"

 

Just a bit of offtopic....

[BTGBullseye]

This really sounds like something that EFF would be interested in... They're big into intellectual property fights on the legal battlefield, and they like representing the little guys for free.

Edited May 26, 2013 by Guest (see edit history)

[MadDogBV]

This might not be of much help to you unless you're on the West Coast or in a major city, but try looking for attorneys at Handel On The Law.com.

 

Be advised that you should only hire an attorney if you know you can get monetary compensation out of this. Lawyers per se are not cheap.

 

And even if you have a strong case, Machinima may still try to paper you to death if they're unwilling to settle. Perhaps you could try contacting other artists that Machinima screwed over to file a joint complaint?

[Psychotic Ninja]

My aunt could probably help....

[Atvis]

I know a few law students but unfortunatly a flight ticket to America cost in dollars a few hundred so yeah not abble to help here but you already got some of there more intelligent people on this page with good advice try checking out that eff thing that bullseye suggests!

Hope you fare well wise traveller in your quest for justice!

[SuperJoshe]

Relevant, I think.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r1ZGYkomGKk

[wakefield26]

You could write in to one of those newspaper articles where they pressure companies into righting wrongs. For instance, in Chicago we have the fixer.

 

I don't know if your area has one, but they might be able to help.

[Templar Knight]

This might not be of much help to you unless you're on the West Coast or in a major city, but try looking for attorneys at Handel On The Law.com.

 

Be advised that you should only hire an attorney if you know you can get monetary compensation out of this. Lawyers per se are not cheap.

 

And even if you have a strong case, Machinima may still try to paper you to death if they're unwilling to settle. Perhaps you could try contacting other artists that Machinima screwed over to file a joint complaint?

 

Remember The DC Chronicles by Drakortha? He used to have an agreement to host a couple vids with Machinima too before they fucked him over and took all of his videos as their property. Now he's had to make his own Productions channel on Youtube. I'm not sure if he lives in the U.S. though, so I don't know how difficult it would be to make a joint complaint, or if he would be interested in doing it. I would at least try the avenue of getting multiple people togather. The more people you have involved, the more seriously you guys will be taken by Machinima and the more money you guys might be able to pour into any legal matters that might spring up.

 

If they truly have broken the terms of their contract with you Ross, and you can prove that they have beyond any doubt then I don't see how you could lose a case against them. Just keep doing what you're doing, and hopefully someone can get you some solid instructions on what to do.