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

[Gayden Wren/CORPHQ/NYTIMES]

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information since withdrawn by Mr.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