Jun
26th
Files under Autism Speaks
So… I’m on the phone with Zazzle about Autism Speaks’ copyright violation allegation. You can listen in….
Not much of an answer from this guy, but still awaiting that call back!
So… I’m on the phone with Zazzle about Autism Speaks’ copyright violation allegation. You can listen in….
Not much of an answer from this guy, but still awaiting that call back!
Jun 26, 2008 at 15:43:57
Excellent! At least you’ve got the CS rep on audio confirming what the earlier emails had stated.
Jun 26, 2008 at 16:31:28
Could someone transcribe this? I have a difficult time hearing voices over the phone (I can hear Zach’s end fine, but not what Zazzle’s representative is saying).
Jun 27, 2008 at 09:51:08
BLEGH, steno is hard work! I have about the first minute transcribed though. Can someone get the rest?
——————–
Z: Hi, How may I help You?
A: Ah, yes, um… I’ve been trying to get a hold of you guys regarding a copyright violation?
Z: Uh huh.
A: Um, my name’s Zachary Lassiter (sp?), um… My, uh, I had a shirt taken down by Autism Speaks?
Z: … Okay.
A: I was wondering if you could verify that you were contacted by Autism Speaks to take that shirt down?
Z: Uh, if someone had sent you a, um, an email, that said something to the effect of “Autism Speaks has requested that the shirt be taken down”, then, yes, then they have.
A: Could you verify that actually happened in this case?
Z: [Interrupted] Oh, uh…
A: I’m actually the owner, but I need to verify this stuff. Because I’m actually-
Z: Oh, uh huh. Unfortunately I’m only a customer service agent, I don’t have that informaton for you.
A: Do you know how I can get a hold of people that do?
Z: Uh, yes. You can reply to the email that was sent to you.
Jun 27, 2008 at 12:34:49
I’ll do the transcript.
Jun 27, 2008 at 13:58:48
TRANSCRIPT:
(Sorry, I just couldn’t understand the Rep’s name when he said it. If I’ve made any noticeable errors, lemme know.)
CS Rep: [Name] speaking, how may I help you?
Zach: Uh yes, um I’ve been trying to get a hold of you guys regarding a copyright violation?
CS Rep: Uh huh.
Zach: Uh, my name’s Zachary Lassiter, um, um, but my uh, I had a shirt taken down by Autism Speaks?
CS Rep: Okay?
Zach: Um, I was wondering if you could verify that you were contacted by Autism Speaks to take that shirt down?
CS Rep: Uh, if uh, if someone had sent you an, uh, an email that why you, uh, that that says something to the effect of Autism Speaks had requested that be taken down, then yes, they have.
Zach: Could you verify that that actually happened in this case? I’m actually the owner, I need to verify this stuff, because I’m actually–
CS Rep: Unfortunately as I’m a, a, a customer service agent I don’t have that information for you.
Zach: Do you know how I can get a hold of people that do?
CS Rep: Uh yes, you can reply to the email that was sent to you–
Zach: I have been replying to that but I have not received a response back and I would like to discuss this with the people over the phone.
CS Rep: What’s, what’s your uh, what’s your email address?
Zach: Zach at the zach dot net.
CS Rep: Uh, Z-A-K?
Zach: Z-A-C-H.
CS Rep: C-H?
Zach: Yes. Z-A-C-H at T-H-E-Z-A-C-H dot net. You people were supposed to call me back yesterday and they never did… regarding this… [long pause] You still there?
CS Rep: Yes I am.
Zach: Okay.
CS Rep: Do you have, uh, proof of ownership of copyright?
Zach: I don’t need proof of ownership. All I can say is Autism Speaks, yes, it’s a trademark but it’s also covered under Fair Use in parody laws in the United States.
[long pause]
Zach: … Which makes it allowable for me to legally have that shirt manufactured without violating copyright.
CS Rep: Uh, hold on a second.
[No dialogue from 02:21-03:35]
CS Rep: Zach what’s your last name?
Zach: Lassiter. L-A-S-S-I-T-E-R.
CS Rep: Okay, here’s what I can do. Unfortunately I can’t do, uh um, much at this time because the Manager of Content Management is not in right now–
Zach: Okay.
CS Rep: –and he would be the one that would need to contact you.
Zach. Alright.
CS Rep: Uh… so let me leave him a message–
Zach: Alright, can you just at least verify for me that Autism Speaks contacted you regarding this?
CS Rep: Once again, as I am a customer service agent, I am not privy to those records.
Zach: Okay.
CS Rep: So, uh, in any case I will allow you the chance to talk to him directly once uh, once he gets this message.
Zach: Alright I tried– he was supposed to calm me yesterday, he never did. Is he supposed to be in today?
CS Rep: Uh, I believe so.
Zach: Alright thank you.
CS Rep: Bye-bye.
Zach: Bye.
Jun 27, 2008 at 14:31:51
Zach, was thinking… maybe in future conversation with Zazzle you might make it clearer to them that you’re not interested in going after their company but are more interested in going after Autism Speaks?
It might make them a little more forthcoming with information. Right now I’d imagine they’re running around scared trying to tie up loose ends, thinking you might be considering suing them. And even if, as a private company, they’ve technically done nothing wrong because their User Agreement says it’s up to their own discretion what stays and what goes, it’s still not good PR to get branded with curbing Free Speech.
So if that were made more clear to them, who knows, they might actually return your calls! Heh.
Jul 1, 2008 at 18:29:59
I know what you’re going through. Most people just have no concept of copyright law, and then you’ve got the phone game issue. Everytime I have to deal with things like this, I try to get the customer rep to give me the mailing address and the name of the CEO, and if neccessary I politely say “What is the name of the person who signs your paycheck?” Then I send a letter to that individual. I’ve worked for places answering phones, and 85% of the time, you get paid to keep putting people off. Sad, but true. But with a letter, the clerk usually just puts it right on the boss’s desk. Hope I’ve been helpful, and SAVE COPIES!