FC: Criminal defendant insists his own name is copyrighted

[Declan McCullagh <declan () well com>]

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From: "Robert Helmer" <roberthelmer () earthlink net>
To: <declan () well com>
Subject: Copyrighted name? Correction....
Date: Tue, 14 May 2002 10:55:50 -0500

Declan, what follows are the first few paragraphs from (and a link to)
a story that appeared in the St. Louis Post Dispatch today concerning
a defendant in a criminal case who claims to own property rights in
his name, and has been attempting to charge others, including the
court, $500,000 per use. This might be a lighthearted amusement for
your list audience. After all, in light of other copyright - patent
issues we've seen recently, it's almost plausible.....

Bob Helmer
Daily Rotation
<http://www.dailyrotation.com>http://www.dailyrotation.com
Shell Extension City
<http://www.shellcity.net>http://www.shellcity.net
St. Louis, Missouri


Judge finds man is fit for trial in drug, gun case

 A drug case defendant who is billing authorities $500,000 every time
they speak or write his name may be using unusual legal tactics but he
is not mentally impaired, a federal judge ruled Monday in East St.
Louis.

That means Frederick James, 43, of Washington Park, will stand trial
and can represent himself against marijuana dealing and weapons
charges.

Since he was arrested in January, James -- who claims he copyrighted
Frederick James -- tabulated that judges and his own public defender
have used his name 302 times in court proceedings. So he sent a bill
to U.S. District Judge Michael J. Reagan for $151 million.

"Do you not think it's bizarre that you charge people to use your
name?" Reagan asked in a hearing Monday.

"It's my private property," James replied.

Officials at the U.S. Copyright Office said the agency does not allow
names to be legally protected from other's use, only property that has
some sort of artistic value.

http://home.post-dispatch.com/channel/pdweb.nsf/TodayTuesday/86256A0E0068FE5086256BB9003B485D?OpenDocument&PubWrapper=Metro





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