Mad rantings about politics, evolution, and microbiology. Comment policy: say what you want, but back it up with an email address. I don't like anonymous trolls.
By now, you might have heard about the copyright infringement by the producers of Expelled. Wesley Elsberry points out a serious legal problem for the producers of Expelled if a lawsuit were to proceed--the discovery phase (italics mine):
If the "Expelled" folks think about this for more than five minutes or so, they will do everything in their power to comply with the XVIVO request, including screwing the distribution deal and holding off the premiere for another several months. Why?..."Expelled" is a production linked into the persecution stories at the heart of IDC. They have had months of discussions and correspondence with the principal figures of the IDC movement. They likely have recordings of discussions in meetings and other places where all these folks felt free to chat....
Lawsuits come with the subpeona power of the courts for discovery. Depositions of witnesses are taken under oath. Cross-examination of witnesses is not restricted to a delimited field of questions; anything that could bear upon the credibility or trustworthiness of witnesses in court is fair game for inquiry. The court can compel answering awkward questions with contempt citations if needed....
Premise Media could accomplish what outsiders never have hoped to do: bring about the complete public discrediting of the IDC movement in its most basic claims to personal integrity and suffering in the face of persecution. And it would be a completely self-inflicted wound. All Premise Media needs to do is blow off the XVIVO letter and continue with their opening schedule unaltered.
If you don't think discovery is serious, just ask Bill Clinton. They--and they means anyone involved with the film, even tangentially--can be asked all sorts of questions. This would far more revealing than the Wedge Document ever was. And I would love to hear sworn testimony as to their intent in interviewing Richard Dawkins, PZ Myers and others under the guise of a different movie concept....
Politics
Comments
Mike,
Your blog posting's not entirely clear. XVIVO *has* sent a C&D letter?
If so, that's huge. Like totally movie-sinking huge.
Wow.
Posted by: CarrieP | April 11, 2008 1:02 PM
Click on the link at the top of the post and you'll see:
"Abbie Smith at ERV has the scoop on this: XVIVO has made the opening legal salvo with a cease-and-desist letter to Premise Media accusing them of copyright infringement concerning the animation showing the interior of a cell used in the film."
Posted by: mbzm | April 11, 2008 2:22 PM
I hope they, the producers, get exactly what's coming to them.
Posted by: ecoli | April 11, 2008 3:53 PM
Carrie, indeed, a C&D letter was sent.
Now, will the producers, good Christians all, "render unto Ceasar that which is Ceasar's", or, will the producers, good PERSECUTED Christians all, who know that God is on their side, will they ignore the C&D and release their little movie, knowing that the hand of God will shield them from the efforts of the Godless, Darwin-worshipping heathens.
I'm hoping for the latter, as the subsequent trial and NOVA special will be quite entertaining.
Posted by: Chris Tucker | April 12, 2008 11:48 AM
Is there any way to invest in XVIVO? If so, I want to get in early just in case they have to liquidate some of those Creationism Museum to pay for damages.
I really want to get a hold of the saddle they put on those dinosaurs!
Posted by: Turkeyfish | April 13, 2008 10:23 PM