FC: PlanetReplay webmaster spooked by deposition, deletes info

[Declan McCullagh <declan () well com>]

Here's some background on the SonicBLUE lawsuit:
http://news.com.com/2100-1040-981128.html
http://www.politechbot.com/cgi-bin/politech.cgi?name=sonicblue

---

From: "Paul \"Evil Genius\" Music" <evlpawl () cox net>
To: "DeClan" <declan () well com>
Subject: On the advice of my lawyer, I have taken down the sharing side of 
the Planet Replay web site
Date: Sat, 18 Jan 2003 21:57:39 -0600

http://www.planetreplay.com/sharing_011603.php

Sharing currently suspended


I gave my deposition testimony in the Entertainment Companies' lawsuit 
against SonicBLUE on January 14th. Based on the questions they asked me at 
my deposition, the fact that I do not want my users to be sued or their 
privacy put at risk, and that I myself do not want to be sued, the portions 
of PlanetReplay.com relating to sharing shows have been taken down until 
further notice.

As many of you may know if you have been reading this web site over the 
past few months, I was subpoenaed to give documents and a deposition in the 
lawsuit between the Entertainment Companies and SonicBLUE. That deposition 
happened on January 14th, 2003. Based on the questions I was asked by the 
lawyer for the Entertainment Companies, it became clear to me that the 
Plaintiffs consider my web site, Planet Replay, to be aiding in the 
violation of their copyrights. More importantly to me, it seems that the 
Plaintiffs were also interested in the users of this site and the data 
about show sharing that this site provides.

I think it is also obvious to anyone paying attention to current events 
that the Plaintiffs have little reluctance to sue anyone who they consider 
to be violating their copyrights or helping others to violate their 
copyrights (such as SonicBLUE, KaZaa, Napster, etc. etc.) On the advice of 
my lawyer, I have taken down the sharing side of the Planet Replay web site 
and one of the forums.

Given that I do not want to put the privacy of Planet Replay users at risk, 
and that I myself do not want to be sued, I made the hard decision that it 
is in the best interests of the users of this site, as well as my own, that 
the sharing portions of this web site be taken down. Hopefully, if the 
lawsuit against SonicBLUE goes to trial and the court supports the legality 
of show sharing, the site will return.

The rest of Planet Replay, the FAQs, Forums, and Account Management area 
(including account removal) will still remain active during these times.

Thank you all for your support and your interest.

If you have any questions about why I have taken down the site, please send 
an email to press () planetreplay com and either I or my lawyer will get back 
to you.

-Chad Little
Owner, Planet Replay. 




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