If the MSM can’t beat bloggers, they’ll sue ‘em.

Check out what the The Tulsa World is doing to Oklahoma blogger Michael Bates for “inappropriately link[ing my] website to Tulsa World content.”

Bates reproduces the threatening letter he’s received from his local paper. An excerpt:

The reproduction of any articles and/or editorials (in whole or in part) on your website or linking your website to Tulsa World content is without the permission of the Tulsa World and constitutes an intentional infringement of the Tulsa World’s copyright and other rights to the exclusive use and distribution of the copyrighted materials.

Therefore, we hereby demand that you immediately remove any Tulsa World material from your website, to include unauthorized links to our website, and cease and desist from any further use or dissemination of our copyrighted content.

Can you spell U-N-H-I-N-G-E-D?

Bates is looking for legal help:

I am not concerned for myself. I believe I have respected the World’s copyrights within the fair-use exemption. Let the World name the specific articles in which it alleges that I have exceeded fair use. I have violated no law by directing readers to the Tulsa World’s own website to read the Tulsa World’s own content as the World itself presents it. I am seeking legal advice for dealing with the matter.

If you are a lawyer with knowledge in this field, please drop him a line: blog -at-batesline.com.

I’ve just put a tip in his tip jar. Please do the same if you can!

Hat tip: Ace

Matt at Nerf-Coated World offers some quick tips on fair use.

Reader Jerri Lynn Ward passes along more general advice from Eugene Volokh.

Kevin at Wizbang has sent an excellent letter to the Tulsa World. Follow his lead.

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