Well for the new posters, this site wasn't always called "clutchcity.net" it used to be just a (correct me if I am wrong) college student's fan page with a really, really long address. Now, when the site did change to clutchcity.net, I don't believe that the term Clutch City had yet been copyrighted (if in fact that term is copywrited) - seeing as how it was in the middle of the 96-97 season. As Jenna suggested, I could see why the NBA might be disgruntled if Clutch & Crew were raking in the dough off of this site, but they haven't made a dime. Another thing that amazes me is that there have been instances where NBA players themselves have been suspected of visiting this site - they never had a problem with it. I think that it would be a great travisty if Clutch City, the site we all know and love, would have to be shut down or moved. I encourage each and every one of us, whether Rocket fans or not, who reads this message do everything in their power to try and stop the "Big Green Machine" a.k.a. the NBA, from destroying something so dear to us. When Clutch City.com gets to 1 million hits I want it to be as Clutch City.com and not as some other url that has nothing to do with the site we know. Let's get motivated and try and stop this from happening. -Turbo --------------------- The NBA is trying to bring back fans after the lockout and now they are doing this - pitiful.
Will's ideas are terrific! He is exactly right with regards to the name as well. I did a little further research and, well, go to www.whitehouse.com to get my point. The proprietors of that site took the name when the government conveniently forgot to register the .com version of their .gov site. As a result, instead of all the gradeschool kids, separatist freaks and political hangers-on getting a glimpse inside the famous Pennsylvania Avenue address, they get a trip down a completely different highway! They won their battles with the US GOVERNEMENT, so I assume the NBA is in over its head. I'm sure they'd love to scare you out of the domain name, but it ain't that simple.
Exactly which NBA players have come to this site before? One crazy idea is since i know some you guys have connections to nba players make them back up the site. In other words, ask for backup. If NBA players start defending the site saying its a NON-PROFIT fan page the NBA would never go against their own marquee players. Still i think you should go the publicity way. It's the best. You get publicity and become famous. Who knows, maybe one day nba.com will be forced to make clutchcity.net the official site of the Rockets becuase of the many hits. Anyways, Clutch you have all our support in keeping this site up. We will win.
If the NBA has no legal grounds over the site, I think you should start making some money off this site. It seems to me that the site gets huge volumes of traffic. Stick it to the NBA and make some dough for yourself Clutch. You deserver suitable compensation for this wonderful site. Thanks for providing a wonderful service to us Rockets' fans. We are forever indebted to your brilliance.
...and may succeed. We got the dreaded 3-page lawyer letter that the NBA/NBA Properties, Inc. has become so famous for. Some 2 years ago they used militant techniques to shut down a bunch of sites, then backed off after realizing it wasn't good for PR. Now apparently they are back at it. They say we can keep doing the site, but we must change (get this): - No pictures of any players in uniform. - No audio links. - No links to NBA.com. - No wallpaper graphics. - Despite the clear disclaimer, they say we promote sponsorship and approval by the Rockets and the NBA and mislead the public into being the official site. and the kicker... - The words (that's right -- words) "Clutch City" or "Houston Rockets" can't be used. Both are "registered trademarks". The domain name clutchcity.net must be forfeited -- can not be used because it is a registered trademark. This is called: You get more hits than us. Please stop. If the Rockets' official site had information and links that weren't interviews with Matt Bullard's mom, I wouldn't invest time into doing this. What the Rockets fail to realize is clutchcity.net, and any other page dedicated to a sports team, is one of the best things that can happen to them. It's free PR run by crazy dedicated fans -- and no one is profiting off of it. As a result, the changes we've decided to make are: [*] The Rockets will now be referred to as the "Mobleys". Anyone who refers to the Rockets as the "Rockets" will be beaten, stripped, dipped in barbecue sauce and thrown into a cage with Stanley Roberts. [*] clutchcity.net will change to mobleysonline.com. If you type in clutchcity.net it will redirect you to ahmad-rashad-can-kiss-my-ass.com. [*] On mobleysonline.com there will be no pictures of the Rockets with clothes on. This would please the NBA. Oh, I love this game! ------------------ Clutch Coming soon to clutchcity.net: HOUSTON ROCKET p*rn! www.clutchcity.net
Why don't nba.com just hire you to do their site? Make clutchcity.net the offical site of the Rockets. I mean finally a official site worth seeing.
Clutch, Long time no post here, for me...but I definitely wanted to encourage you to fight this matter. (even though it's been said before a hundred times already.) I'm seriously wondering what beef does the NBA have about this site? They've got their own site..it's called. "nba.com" You've got your site "clutchcity.net" Your site is fan based, w/ bbs, chat, etc. Their's is a boring-ass piece of crap, which might be official, but who the hell wants to go there for the text info you already caught on espn tv? All of you are right when you suggest that NBA.com's beef is that they're jealous. Jealous that they don't put enough effort into making their pages interesting. Congrats to you clutch, because you do. -elie17
Here's a list of sports and news related sources I've emailed. I'm not saying any of you should do the same...... gerald@softscience.com lancez@ev1.net hci@chron.com supertalk@houstonradio.com sports@kprc.com sportscomments@foxsports.com feedback@houstonpress.com mailbox@krbe.com Here's a list of web sites with 'feedback' on them. Again, I'm not promoting all of us writing them.... <A HREF="http://www.khou.com/prd1/now/now1_frameset?p_url_bot=feedback%3Fp%5Fwho%3DKHOU]http://www.khou.com/prd1/now/now1_frameset?p_url_bot=feedback%3Fp%5Fwho%3DKHOU[/URL" TARGET=_blank> http://www.khtv.com/feedback/feedback.htm</A> http://www.ktrh.com/ ------------------- I hate the NBA organization [This message has been edited by DREAMer (edited August 07, 1999).]
Will, if you'd like, I could send you copies of the two e-mails also. If you want to see them, just drop me a line. thejimmer@hotmail.com ------------------ Nuggets4 The Pinnacle - Rising to the Top With the Denver Nuggets http://www.nugspinnacle.com
Can you tell I've researched this before? I'm ready for them if they try it with me. Anyway, check out <a href="http://www.sensfans.com/">SensFans.com</a>. It's an Ottawa Senators fan page that was shut down by the NHL. ------------------ Nuggets4 The Pinnacle - Rising to the Top With the Denver Nuggets http://www.nugspinnacle.com
Clutch mate I wish you all the best.You have provided us Rockets fans with THE BEST basketball site on the net. Im with eveyone else when it comes to making this public.I reckon the TV and Radio stations would have a field day with this Two points I want to make. 1.The NBA has seen this site,monitored it and is not happy with what it see's.This is a site for REAL basketball fans.We have opinions and we aint LA/Chicago/NY fans. 2.You make no money from this site.This is a hobby.You promote the NBA and the Rockets.....Geez its a nice way for the NBA to say thanks. If the unlikly happens I say register the address www.NBACANKISSMYASS.com. I bet this wouldnt happen if this was a Comets site. I wish I could help you with this but there isnt much I can do here from Australia.I sugest sending messages to as many TV stations as possible.Id also contact the Rockets PR and see what they have to say.Im sure they wouldnt like any bad publicity. Clutch I wish you all the best and if worse comes to worse you can move the site and we'll all move with it! GoodLuck Christopher P.S.Updates on this situation on the main page would be great.eg:TV/radio reports ------------------ Your Starting Power Forward for the Clutch City Allstars
I would just like everyone to know that I now own the copyright to words such as "the", "a", "an", all pronouns (including, but not limited to: "I", "he", "she", "it"), prepositions (including, but not limited to: "to", "under", "beyond"), and the word "thisisaloadofbull****e." I would like everyone to immediately desist in the use of the words, because it violates my God-given right to be a complete and utter wanker. Thank you for your time. Lord Tree We shouldn't let such archaic and asinine concepts such as freedom of expression or freedom of information stop my ability to bully around people with my team of insanely priced lawyers.
The law in this area is complex. Indeed, in the legal arena, there are lawyers who specialize in and do nothing but trademark and copyright work. I doubt any of us can untwist all the potential issues upon a cursory review. Existing statutes do not deal with issue presented by the Internet very well. this is one reason the money types, like the sports leagues, are lobbying hard in DC. For example, the NFL is pushing hard for the Senate to approve a treaty that would effectively let them copyright "facts." In other words, writers, other media outlets, newspapers, etc. would have to pay to say "Earl Campbell rushed for 199 yards." Thats what they are hoping for in the ever lasting quest to squeeze out every nickle. Fortunately, the Supremes has said facts are not subject to copyright protection. In any event, it is a sticky area. One thing i do know is you don't want to be in their sights. They have way too many resources. This is not legal advice, more along the lines of just plain common sense but i would try and generate some publicity and then reach a quiet deal with them. You dont want to be a test case. Even if you won, you might come home from the war quite bloody.
Here is suggestion for fan support. If they shut down the site, all the clutchcity.net fans buy regular white T-shirts and hand write the site's address on it ( cant print because of copy right laws) and show up to the national games. that whould bring enough publicity. This is the only site that people from out site of Houston get decent info about the Mobleys. ------------------ HAKEEM... the best ever!
Damn, I missed all this? Well, I am pretty sure that I am pretty old around here. And after 3 years, I am still addicted to this site as ever. If Clutch has to get a lawyer for his defense, then I am willing to put 100 bucks to the cause. And if I get my raise in December, I am willing to put up 200. And I think that if you love this site as much as I do, you would help if it comes to that. I say, raise enough money to hire Johnny Cochran himself if we have to. Clutch, let me know what I can do for you. I work at the biggest ad agency in the world and have alot of good pull with the lawyers there. If you have any questions you might want to know in reference to marketing laws or all that crap that the NBA is saying you can't do because of merchandising, let me know. And guys, if Clutch needs the money, I say we pitch in. Cuz the man aint making nothing doing this here. Clutch: Alex_Muniz@yr.com. Let me know what I can do for you. ------------------ I need a source. Any source. Good or bad. But I need one.
