FC: Criminal defendant insists his own name is copyrighted

From: Declan McCullagh (declanat_private)
Date: Tue May 14 2002 - 09:31:32 PDT

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    From: "Robert Helmer" <roberthelmerat_private>
    To: <declanat_private>
    Subject: Copyrighted name? Correction....
    Date: Tue, 14 May 2002 10:55:50 -0500
    
    Declan, what follows are the first few paragraphs from (and a link to)
    a story that appeared in the St. Louis Post Dispatch today concerning
    a defendant in a criminal case who claims to own property rights in
    his name, and has been attempting to charge others, including the
    court, $500,000 per use. This might be a lighthearted amusement for
    your list audience. After all, in light of other copyright - patent
    issues we've seen recently, it's almost plausible.....
    
    Bob Helmer
    Daily Rotation
    <http://www.dailyrotation.com>http://www.dailyrotation.com
    Shell Extension City
    <http://www.shellcity.net>http://www.shellcity.net
    St. Louis, Missouri
    
    
    Judge finds man is fit for trial in drug, gun case
    
      A drug case defendant who is billing authorities $500,000 every time
    they speak or write his name may be using unusual legal tactics but he
    is not mentally impaired, a federal judge ruled Monday in East St.
    Louis.
    
    That means Frederick James, 43, of Washington Park, will stand trial
    and can represent himself against marijuana dealing and weapons
    charges.
    
    Since he was arrested in January, James -- who claims he copyrighted
    Frederick James -- tabulated that judges and his own public defender
    have used his name 302 times in court proceedings. So he sent a bill
    to U.S. District Judge Michael J. Reagan for $151 million.
    
    "Do you not think it's bizarre that you charge people to use your
    name?" Reagan asked in a hearing Monday.
    
    "It's my private property," James replied.
    
    Officials at the U.S. Copyright Office said the agency does not allow
    names to be legally protected from other's use, only property that has
    some sort of artistic value.
    
    http://home.post-dispatch.com/channel/pdweb.nsf/TodayTuesday/86256A0E0068FE5086256BB9003B485D?OpenDocument&PubWrapper=Metro
    
    
    
    
    
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