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I've been watching quietly from the sidelines as this has happened over the last few months. Believe me when I say, it's ugly what some people will do because they think they have the right, or they think they're right. Of course you all have no clue who these people are, what the hell the problem was, or why it's of importance. Well, the important part is that strong arm tactics like this (which are massively ugly) are what make people leave fandom. I'm posting this in a show of solidarity to ![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
haremmistressdd, who had to bear the brunt of the attack for so many months, and for musesfool who also got caught up in the attack. There are many other people who were victims too, but these are the ones on my friends list (cause I'm not that active in X-Men Movie fandom right now).
Oh, and I'd also like to say that the official statement is contained between the ***'s on this page. This is the official statement sanctioned by all those involved. Everything before the ***'s or after the second set of ***'s are my thoughts and emotions. Basically, if you want to come trolling in my journal regarding this whole thing, then keep in mind which is me and which isn't. (Although that's not directed at anyone on my friends' list. It's aimed at any parties in the X-Men fandom with a certain...allegiance that might be surfing to find who is posting this.)
***
Over the last few months, various forums in the X-Men fandom have found themselves under attack by someone called Gina DeMarco (http://www.loganandmarie.com). While fandom trolling is not original or unsual, Ms DeMarco started making threats a month ago against people who called her out on her trolling behaviour.
What makes this situation unique is that Ms DeMarco was posting her threats from a Fox Studios server. The last few weeks have seen Ms DeMarco making threats of legal action by Fox Studios on behalf of herself and her friend Karen (http://www.postcardsfromtheedge.org).
Last week, at least a dozen people received the email below. This was not the first threat of legal action they've made(reference: http://www.wolverineandrogue.com/ginakaren.html).
The email reads as follows:
All,
There have been many slanderous remarks made about our employee Gina DeMarco authored by yourselves. We would appreciate in the future that you refrain from posting or making any reference to her in a public manner. She is an employee of 20th Century Fox Studios and we take these slanderous remarks seriously.
Also refrain from making any derogatory comments about Karen [last name removed to protect privacy. This is a reference to the same Karen who received a copy of the email] as she is an affiliate of Bad Hat Harry Productions, which is a part of 20th Century Fox.
Let it be known that refusal to comply with our request will not only result in closure of your websites but also a lawsuit against you for trademark infringement and slander. Fox traditionally appreciates its fans but will protect our employees from them as well.
I hope I have made myself clear.
Sincerely,
Debra [last name removed]
Sr. Counsel
20th Century Fox Studios
The continued threat of legal action prompted some of those threatened to contact Fox Studios. Not to mention suspicions were raised by the odds that Senior Legal Counsel might indeed know the difference between slander and libel.
Devil Doll (http://www.wolverineandrogue.com) relates the following:
On February 17th, I spoke with the Executive Director of Human Resources at 20th Century Fox regarding this and similar threats made against fans by and for Gina and Karen.
I was told the above email is completely fraudulent and in no way authorized by anyone at Fox with the power to make such statements. In addition, I was told that Gina and Karen have absolutely no connection at all to 20th Century Fox, and any claims to the contrary, or claims of enjoying Fox's legal protection, are fraudulent.
If you have received any emails from Debra, Gina, or Karen claiming that you could be subject to legal action by 20th Century Fox, you can ignore any such statements. They are a misrepresentation of Fox, and are not to be taken seriously.
Fox is investigating this situation and is collecting information regarding these claims. If you have received any emails from Debra, Gina, or Karen implying that Gina and/or Karen are affiliated with or protected by 20th Century Fox in any way, please contact me and I will tell you who to contact at Fox. Fox asks that you not reply to the "Debra" email address.
This is obviously a very serious situation, and one that Fox is not taking lightly. Several members of the Super Hero Hype message boards received similar emails, and the owner of SHH is also cooperating fully with Fox. You can read his statement on the matter here:
http://www.superherohype.com/forums/announcement.php?s=&forumid=198
I am hopeful that Fox's confirmation of the fraudulent nature of these threats will bring an end to this situation. I also hope that from here forward we will be allowed to enjoy fandom, rather than feeling harassed and threatened by a small number of people who appear to enjoy that sort of thing.
Devil Doll
***
This is where Maveness starts back up again with the commentary.
Fraud and extreme bullying tactics are heinous. There are still people in the fandom, even people with clout and influence, who are going to back Gina and Co. up on this, even though there is definitive proof that their conduct was obviously in the wrong. Some I dare say will probably even say thatharemmistressdd should have let it all alone and not even contacted FOX regarding the matter. Guess what folks, if anyone threatens with a lawsuit, it's the best course of action to always verify that in fact that person is authorized to make that statement and that it is in fact legitimate. I don't care what situation in life it is. When you're talking about ruining someone's life, it can get ugly. And for anyone who thinks that might be a legitimate option for dealing with someone you disagree with (the fraudulent threat of a lawsuit from a large, multi-billion dollar enterprise), remember this: jail cells can house anyone, even fandom types, and it's hard to post to the internet when all your money is gone because *you've* been sued.
In the end I'm posting this because I want everyone to be aware of what can and rarely does happen in fandom. There are people who honestly think this is more important than anything else. They can't help if they're delusional (or maybe they can but just don't care). But they are few and far between. Enjoy fandom, have fun with your friends, and don't let stupid trolls get you down.
haremmistressdd, who had to bear the brunt of the attack for so many months, and for musesfool who also got caught up in the attack. There are many other people who were victims too, but these are the ones on my friends list (cause I'm not that active in X-Men Movie fandom right now).Oh, and I'd also like to say that the official statement is contained between the ***'s on this page. This is the official statement sanctioned by all those involved. Everything before the ***'s or after the second set of ***'s are my thoughts and emotions. Basically, if you want to come trolling in my journal regarding this whole thing, then keep in mind which is me and which isn't. (Although that's not directed at anyone on my friends' list. It's aimed at any parties in the X-Men fandom with a certain...allegiance that might be surfing to find who is posting this.)
***
Over the last few months, various forums in the X-Men fandom have found themselves under attack by someone called Gina DeMarco (http://www.loganandmarie.com). While fandom trolling is not original or unsual, Ms DeMarco started making threats a month ago against people who called her out on her trolling behaviour.
What makes this situation unique is that Ms DeMarco was posting her threats from a Fox Studios server. The last few weeks have seen Ms DeMarco making threats of legal action by Fox Studios on behalf of herself and her friend Karen (http://www.postcardsfromtheedge.org).
Last week, at least a dozen people received the email below. This was not the first threat of legal action they've made(reference: http://www.wolverineandrogue.com/ginakaren.html).
The email reads as follows:
All,
There have been many slanderous remarks made about our employee Gina DeMarco authored by yourselves. We would appreciate in the future that you refrain from posting or making any reference to her in a public manner. She is an employee of 20th Century Fox Studios and we take these slanderous remarks seriously.
Also refrain from making any derogatory comments about Karen [last name removed to protect privacy. This is a reference to the same Karen who received a copy of the email] as she is an affiliate of Bad Hat Harry Productions, which is a part of 20th Century Fox.
Let it be known that refusal to comply with our request will not only result in closure of your websites but also a lawsuit against you for trademark infringement and slander. Fox traditionally appreciates its fans but will protect our employees from them as well.
I hope I have made myself clear.
Sincerely,
Debra [last name removed]
Sr. Counsel
20th Century Fox Studios
The continued threat of legal action prompted some of those threatened to contact Fox Studios. Not to mention suspicions were raised by the odds that Senior Legal Counsel might indeed know the difference between slander and libel.
Devil Doll (http://www.wolverineandrogue.com) relates the following:
On February 17th, I spoke with the Executive Director of Human Resources at 20th Century Fox regarding this and similar threats made against fans by and for Gina and Karen.
I was told the above email is completely fraudulent and in no way authorized by anyone at Fox with the power to make such statements. In addition, I was told that Gina and Karen have absolutely no connection at all to 20th Century Fox, and any claims to the contrary, or claims of enjoying Fox's legal protection, are fraudulent.
If you have received any emails from Debra, Gina, or Karen claiming that you could be subject to legal action by 20th Century Fox, you can ignore any such statements. They are a misrepresentation of Fox, and are not to be taken seriously.
Fox is investigating this situation and is collecting information regarding these claims. If you have received any emails from Debra, Gina, or Karen implying that Gina and/or Karen are affiliated with or protected by 20th Century Fox in any way, please contact me and I will tell you who to contact at Fox. Fox asks that you not reply to the "Debra" email address.
This is obviously a very serious situation, and one that Fox is not taking lightly. Several members of the Super Hero Hype message boards received similar emails, and the owner of SHH is also cooperating fully with Fox. You can read his statement on the matter here:
http://www.superherohype.com/forums/announcement.php?s=&forumid=198
I am hopeful that Fox's confirmation of the fraudulent nature of these threats will bring an end to this situation. I also hope that from here forward we will be allowed to enjoy fandom, rather than feeling harassed and threatened by a small number of people who appear to enjoy that sort of thing.
Devil Doll
***
This is where Maveness starts back up again with the commentary.
Fraud and extreme bullying tactics are heinous. There are still people in the fandom, even people with clout and influence, who are going to back Gina and Co. up on this, even though there is definitive proof that their conduct was obviously in the wrong. Some I dare say will probably even say that
haremmistressdd should have let it all alone and not even contacted FOX regarding the matter. Guess what folks, if anyone threatens with a lawsuit, it's the best course of action to always verify that in fact that person is authorized to make that statement and that it is in fact legitimate. I don't care what situation in life it is. When you're talking about ruining someone's life, it can get ugly. And for anyone who thinks that might be a legitimate option for dealing with someone you disagree with (the fraudulent threat of a lawsuit from a large, multi-billion dollar enterprise), remember this: jail cells can house anyone, even fandom types, and it's hard to post to the internet when all your money is gone because *you've* been sued.In the end I'm posting this because I want everyone to be aware of what can and rarely does happen in fandom. There are people who honestly think this is more important than anything else. They can't help if they're delusional (or maybe they can but just don't care). But they are few and far between. Enjoy fandom, have fun with your friends, and don't let stupid trolls get you down.