[IMC-Tech] Re: [Imc-staff] New York Times Syndicate--trademark infringement

[Mike Lehman]

Mr. Wren,
I sent another reply outlining what I think will be the only way we will 
consider editing the message you requested, i.e. if you can supply proof 
that Ivany has cited this specific message as proof for any 
misrepresentation, we would take the action you request under consideration.

If Googling Ivany brings up plenty of evidence that he has engaged in 
fraud, then I think the reader can decide for themselves what to 
believe. This is a basic principle of the Indymedia movement, of which 
we are a part.

Thus, UC IMC also happens to be a media organization and publisher. We 
take very seriously the right of people to access the media -- even if 
they want to stretch the truth. Hell, politicans do that all the time 
and frequently we find the media facilitating lies, rather than taking 
your zealous approach. They should transfer you to the the journalism 
side of the Times, as they can obviously use your pugnacity there to 
shake them out of their complacence about matetrs of far greater import.

Since our way of doing media generally offers plenty of opportunity for 
consumers to dispute or call BS on what the find here, we can only offer 
that in the absence of a good reason to edit this message. Wendy has 
already mentioned one way to do that.
Mike Lehman

Gayden Wren/CORPHQ/NYTIMES wrote:

> Dear Mr. Lehman:
> 
>       In my recent e-mail exchange with Wendy Edwards, I've already
> addressed some aspects that you raise.  I would, however, be happy to
> supply the evidence that you request, if it will convince you to assist us
> in this matter.
>       We are finally nearing the end of a long, extremely arduous process
> of clearing these misrepresentations from the Web (though new ones continue
> to pop up occasionally, apparently due not to new activity on Mr. Ivany's
> part but rather to people who continue to think of him as "the New York
> Times Syndicate writer"), and I am very, very eager to resolve the last
> remaining items.
>       What evidence do you need?  I have hard copies of numerous
> installments of Mr. Ivany's "column" claiming association with the
> Syndicate, as well as with numerous other organizations with which he has
> no past or present involvement (and letters from those organizations
> confirming his lack of any such involvement).  I have a personal e-mail
> from Mr. Ivany in which he signs himself "shelton, ny times syndicate" (and
> claims that his column is distributed by us to 3,500 newpapers), an e-mail
> from me to Mr. Ivany reporting on a conversation in which he admitted
> specifically having misrepresented himself as a Syndicate writer, and an
> e-mail from him acknowledging receipt of my e-mail.  And I can provide you
> with any number of contacts of people with organizations which were duped
> by Mr. Ivany (Charlie King might be the most obvious choice), who will I
> think be happy to attest to his culpability.
>       Evidence regarding the specific claim cited in your release (based on
> information since withdrawn by Mr. King) is closer to hand.  I would borrow
> a leaf from Mr. Ivany's book and encourage you to run a Web search on his
> name.  You will, I think, find a fair number of citations, including a
> handful that still claim a Times connection...but not, oddly, a single Web
> site operated by any of the "more than 200 newspapers" allegedly carrying
> his column.
>       Finally, there's the matter of my own bona fides.  Though (unlike Mr.
> Ivany) I have a Times e-mail address, the whole point to this unpleasant
> episode is that one shouldn't take at face value the assertions of people
> who claim to be connected with The New York Times Syndicate.  Rather than
> simply telephoning me directly at (212) 499-3329, I'd encourage you to
> visit the Syndicate's Web site at www.nytsyn.com/nytsyn.html (or access it
> via www.nytimes.com), click on the "contacts" line and call the number
> listed there.  Ask for me, and they'll put you through.
> 
>       I appreciate the skeptical tone of your e-mail.  As I say, this
> business has reinforced in me the conviction that one shouldn't simply take
> strangers' words for things, and you obviously know me no better than you
> know Mr. Ivany.  Let me know what evidence you'd like to see and give me a
> mailing address, and I'll send it your way directly.
> 
>       And happy holidays to you and yours--I'm sorry to darken the season
> with such an unpleasant business.
> 
>                                           Very truly yours,
> 
>                                           Gayden Wren
> 
>