And so endeth the saga

I know that many of you followed the story of Truman versus Fox, and so I feel I owe it to y'all to provide some kind of finale to that melodrama. So here it is [insert fanfare], in cold, hard digits.

The people at Fox apologized voluminously for their mistake, and offered payment for their use of the purloined photo. I came up with the figure above based on some research on photo licensing; I only wanted what was the fair, going rate, since  -- despite feeling genuine outrage and indignation at the outset -- I never intended to try to "cash in" on what was obviously some poor green intern's error. Could I have sued and hit paydirt? Yes, probably. But in all honesty, I don't need Fox's money, and the idea of getting into a legal battle with a multi-national corporation ranks high on my list of Things I'd Never Like To Do In My Life, EVAR. This seemed a neat and tidy compromise, fair to everyone concerned. Plus $500 buys a whole lotta snausages, people.

What was most important to me throughout this whole debacle was setting some kind of high-visibility precedent with regard to the use of copyrighted material of private individuals on the net. To use this circumstance that fell into my lap to make a point, to underscore the viability of blogger's claims of ownership to their self-generated content on the web and the relevance of copyright laws relative to that content. That's it. O hai, I own my shit, please to not be taking it from me without asking. Okthxbai!

And now? I'm glad it's over. The best thing that came out of all of this is that Truman now has a posse, and it delights me to no end to see the genuine affection people seem to feel for him. He is, truly (if cornily), a joy in our life, and I'm so happy to share him with others. But beyond that, this whole debacle has mostly been a pain in my ass, and a chapter I'm happy to close. Finis.

. . . . . . . . . .

Ungraceful segue: Have you seen how the Self-Portrait Truthiness pool has grown? Tis filled to the brim with awesome sauce! I've enlisted a few of my extra speshal betches to participate today, and if they don't convince you to suck it up and post your own photo to the pool, well, I GIVE UP. (Though while I'm giving up I'll be verbally taunting and nah-nanny-nah-nah-ing you, BELIEVE IT.)

Please visit my brave posse of beautiful betches (my originating post here):

Her Bad Mother: http://www.badladies.blogspot.com
Breed Em And Weep: http://www.breedemandweep.com
Oh The Joys: http://othejoys.blogspot.com
IzzyMom: http://izzymom.com
Mrs. Flinger: http://mrs.flinger.us/
Mamalogues: http://mamalogues.com/

Comments

[Sarah, Goon Squad Sarah]

Not bad.

I wonder if I could trick FOX into using a picture of one of my cats.

Crap. I'm going to have to get cuter pets.

[Larry]

I've been following your blog for a while now and this posting just confirms for me that you are a true class act! I'm glad you got closure and that you made your point with Fox News with grace and style without resorting to legal mumbo-jumbo. Well Done!

- From a quiet fan (and co-Baltimore-on),
Larry

[Michelle]

I literally just read the other two posts yesterday and was wondering what had come of the situation. Glad to see you received restitution!

[Pamela]

Congrats, Tracey, and I agree with the above commenter that this shows you're a true class act -- who got her due compensation!

[Redneck Mommy]

Good for you. I'm glad you not only got your just compensation, but you made your point.

Excellent.

And you can add me to the list of your followers who posted their true self first thing in the morning.

Heh.

[Katie Kat]

Go on witcha bad self Tru-dog. Get high on those snausages!

I simply ADORE the women in the self-portrait pics. All of them gorgeous, but a few that I wanna kiss on the cheek (like the pigtail gal, and very especially SWEETNEY). I haven't gotten brave yet... *backs away slowly*

[Katie Kat]

I mean brave with the photo sharing, not the kissing of cheeks. And while I'm at it, I DO NOT mean ass cheeks. I may be silly, but srsly, most of you haven't even showered...

[Summer]

I'm almost tempted to add my photo to the pool.

[Angella]

I'm new here (Hi!), but had heard your story of the stolen photo. Congrats on getting closure. I have only had my photos hotlinked to my idiots who did not know better, but I still got pretty cheesed (and had fun replacing said photos with ones more humorous).

Congrats on your Flickr pool too - I am already done up for the day, but if I'm feeling brave I may give it a go another day :)

[Dana]

Love that money. Go Truman!
Also, I cannot get over all you beautiful betches and your luscious cornsilk bed hair. I have a rat's nest when I rise. BOOOO.

[kaspirano]

that's good bill, cheers..1

[motherbumper]

Lots of snausages? Yes but how many gold plated snausages would that buy? My point exactly - I would have taken them to the cleaners.

Actually I'd be pissed but the idea of what fighting a corporation in court would do to my blood pressure - totally not worth it. Oh lawrd, that sounded like I should be complaining about my non existent bunions. But seriously, not worth it - agreed.

I'm glad Truman got his snausages.

[Karen (miscmum)]

Well done! Good for you for fighting on this.

[ozma]

I think this should be seed money for a Truman calendar. Get Truman into showbiz, stat.

[Fake Jon Stewart]

I'm in the photo industry and "The Kerfuffle" is how I found your site, as I was doing some research on copyright at the time.

Honestly, I have to admit that I'd rather have seen you flog FOX in a very public manner, and end up with a few more zeros on your check.

It seems that, only when abuses like this become newsworthy do people notice and learn a little about the issue.

I thought you had a terrific point when you observed how FOX has regular announcements during their program declaring their content to be copyrighted, trademarked, etc. They deserved to be hit hard, and I imagine that somewhere at FOX headquarters, a few pencil pushers are still snickering at your requested amount, knowing what they got away with.

You are too nice.
But that's why we lurv you.

Rub Truman's belly for me one time, please?

Best,
Fake Jon

[sweetney]

Fake Jon: yeah, i know, i know. and part of me wanted to flog Fox, just because they're effing FOX. believe me, in those first days, i thought about it. BRING ME THE HEAD OF BILL O'REILLY!

but what was and is important is setting the precedent, and even if i'd milked $5,000 or $10,000 or something outta this, it isn't like it would hurt Fox. they have more money than god, and teams of lawyers to make sure gnats like me get smooshed (if it came to that) and honestly, i don't need or really even want their money -- i just want them to know they can't do that shit, yanno? and hopefully this will serve as a bit of a warning to others, and encourage bloggers to stand up for their rights.

yada yada, i'm not an activist or anything. really, i'm just trying to do what i think is right.

[Her Bad Mother]

I will give you moneyz if you bring Truman to Jersey with you.

[creative-type dad]

Wow - I'm in shock they took the picture in the first place. I hope somebody's head rolled for that one.

[magpie]

Well done. The best thing? Taking money out of Fox's pocket. Every little bit helps.

[Aimee Greeblemonkey]

Good for you, girl.

And I will do a truthiness photo later in the week. After the ginourmous zit on my chin calms down.

[Theresa B.]

Congrats and thanks for fighting the power. You are a woman of uncommon honesty, integrity and, frankly, talent. I admire the heck out of you. Plus, the whole sordid tale made for a susprisingly compelling read. I'm almost sorry it's over, but the thought of you eating a whole lotta snausages will help get me through the day.