FightThePatent.com calls it quits

[FightThePatent]

No one asked me to be in the fight and I have never wanted to be the target for ignorant criticisms (from multiple boards) and attacks that I have endured through the 7 months.

I got pissed off enough about the issue one day to do something about it.... to not just sit there and read about it, but to do something about it.

I stopped my consulting (which is how i generate income) and devoted full time effort the first 5 months to fighting patent abuse issues like Acacia.

Along the way, i did not accept any money from anyone.. I did this out of my conviction to bring attention to the issue so that many othes will join in the fight. I did try to bring a proposal where i could formalize my efforts to create Fight the Patent FOundation, and yes that does mean i would get paid from that, but for some reason, people think they activism should be free and i was heavily criticized for it.

This isn't about not getting a phone call (which Spike did call me this morning)... this is about the realization that I can't go on without providing an income for my family. My active involvement is more than posting on boards.. if that were the case, i can understand some of the ribbing.. since so many webmasters spend their time posting all day on this board.

Actively chasing down companies and individuals on the phone, email, and fax is very time consuming and so is trying to get them motivated to help (in hindsight, i should have gotten unlimited long distance plan)

This problem could last a long time.. but the prior art is there, the counter claims are there.. the game is in play.

My hope is that the next time some company thinks they can just roll in and throw a patent license around, that webmasters will take a stronger stance.

I will be there ringing the bells..... next time, I will be better capitalized to really make a difference.... so I am continuing my activism in the fight against copyright infringement and some nasty issues that will hit this industry...

I strongly support the IMPA and the defendants and they will prevail.

If you think this is about $300 in phone bills and spike not calling me, then you have missed the story. Anyone who expresses frustration and disappointment will always sound "whiney". The same people who bash me when i was fighting the fight, are the same ones bashing me on my decision to focus on my own priorities.. yes, i know, you can't please everyone.




-brandon