I Met the Web Sheriff (But I did not meet the Web Deputy)
A couple of days I wrote a post about the Van Morrison song “I Forgot That Love Existed”. A great song. I post so much that it took a while for me to notice I had a comment on the review. I checked it out and this is how it read:
WEB SHERIFF said…
WEB SHERIFF
Protecting Your Rights on the Internet
Tel 44-(0)208-323 8013
Fax 44-(0)208-323 8080
websheriff@websheriff.com
www.websheriff.com
Hi Iman,
On behalf of Exile Productions, Exile Publishing, Exile Films and Lion Records, many thanks for plugging Van Morrison and, if you / your readers would like good quality, non-pirated previews from Van’s latest album and DVD – “Astral Weeks Live at the Hollywood Bowl” – then footage of “Sweet Thing” from the Hollywood Bowl is available for fans to view and link to (ONLY please – not for embedding) at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4BYvoH2_XuA. Up-to-the-minute news on the “Astral Weeks Live” album and film releases and Van’s 2009 shows is, of course, available on www.vanmorrison.com and www.myspace.com/vanmorrison. An increasing archive of exclusive film footage of Van Morrison performances is also available for fans and YouTubers on Exile’s official channel at http://uk.youtube.com/user/OfficialExileFilms … .. and keep an eye on these official sources for details of further preview material and on-line promotions.
Thanks again for your plug.
Regards,
WEB SHERIFF
October 26, 2009 9:12 AM
Slightly intimidating, right? Exile Productions I know to belong to Van Morrison himself (remember the Too Long In Exile album, “Ball And Chain” was on it). And I have seen the youtube videos the Web Sheriff mentions and they have a huge logo in the middle of the screen which makes them a less than perfect watch though not by any stretch unwatchable.
Anyway, I checked out his website, websheriff.com
This is from his introduction: “It was through the acute need and demand for the protection of on-line rights against infringements and abuse, that Web Sheriff came into being. Web Sheriff is one of the few specialist, companies that operate in the field of internet policing “.
Does Rock NYC infringe upon other people’s copywrites? I dunno to be honest. Not obviously, I don’t file share at all, I don’t post anything more than my or the writers who work with me’s opinions and pictures. The pictures? I am really not certain… I would guess I don’t but who knows, right? Are New York Times pics public domain? Even if they are copyright protected, unless the Times wanted to use me as an example, a site this small isn’t worth anybodies times? i never post anything that isn’t original to the website.
Here is some of the services Web Sheriff offers:
Pre-Release Protection
Internet Auditing
Global Brand Protection
Digital Rights Management
On-Line Investigations
Oh, brave new world right? Though it kinda makes sense. What is suprisingly is that in a practically infinite universe Web Sheriff even found me. Tip of the hat, young man. Honestly, I’m surprised at some of the people who’ve found this site at all…
A quick peek at Web Sheriff’s Outlaw’s Gallery finds the following areas:
Privacy
MP3
Movies
Copyright
Domains
Libel
Security
ISP Apathy
Except for U2 suing me for saying they’re crap (opinion though, not libel: actually a simple truth) I can’t see where we are bending here.
So let’s take the Web Sheriff at his motto “knock it off or you’re dead…” Just kidding Mr. Sheriff: “Prevention Is Better Than Cure” and thank him for telling us where we can get legal Van Morrison product without ponying up the dough. I’m still gonna be jumping when anybody rings my bell at home…
