America, 4th of July.....and Grey Flannel....

[suicide_squeeze]

Re: America, 4th of July.....and Grey Flannel....

Suicide Squeeze,

Mr. 3000 (Jason) is absolutely right about being intimidated by a C&D letter. I'm not an attorney, but I've written many C&D letters on behalf of some of my clients and they are meant to intimidate people into ceasing whatever action we don't like, such as using the client's mark or brand without permission. The only way for us to enforce a C&D is to initiate costly legal action; which we wouldn't do because it isn't worth the money. Even though we were clearly correct in our position it is just too costly to win the argument in court. Not to mention that we wouldn't want the dispute picked up by the trade media.

In your situation it isn't even clear that Grey Flannel would prevail. Depending on what action they took it could turn out to be more costly and more damaging to Grey Flannel. A slander case, for example, would be suicide (pun intended) to Grey Flannel because in cases such as slander they put Grey Flannel's business dealings under a microscope. No business wants that.

That said, there's probably nothing to be gained by continuing to attack Grey Flannel. The C&D letters, whether they irritate, intimidate or just upset you don't appear to be worth the stress they seem to put on you. The one thing I would recommend is that you reply in writing to the attorney who wrote you the C&D letter denying whatever Grey Flannel has alleged. It's always best to have a paper trail.

Happy 4th of July,

Jason

Thank you for the great advice and comments Jason. This is my paper trail. I have publicly apologized for the less-than-friendly name I used in regards to their business.....it was inappropriate and I will cease to use such "colorful" words. But I really know that the rest of it is just an opinion, and I am not breaking any laws. But to be honest, it's silly to have to worry about the next knock on my door being a local sherriff to serve me with a lawsuit, so I'm done.

At this point, it's obvious enough to me that Richard Russek would spend any amount of money to do whatever damage he could to me. I really feel it would self-destructive to his company as mentioned here......but I feel it best to just avoid the whole mess.

And to Mr. 3000 and others, I appreciate the support, but please, be careful and don't do something to redirect the anger towards yourself on my or any others behalf. It will serve no purpose in the end. We all have the legal right to state our opinions about an item in the hobby, without all the "issues" created by getting a bit overzealous in our loathsomeness for a particular person or entity. We can do our business here and maintain a professional approach. Thanks all.

Regards,

Steve

[Rob L]

Re: America, 4th of July.....and Grey Flannel....

"In recent years, the U.S. Supreme Court has allowed that only factual
misrepresentation is to be considered libel or slander, not expression of
opinion."

[suicide_squeeze]

Re: America, 4th of July.....and Grey Flannel....

Can you post a scan of the letter? I'd love to know what is says, exactly.

Thanks,
Ken
earlywynnfan5@hotmail.com

Here is a pdf scan of the letter for those of you who want to see it. I have blacked out my address for obvious reasons......

[suicide_squeeze]

Re: America, 4th of July.....and Grey Flannel....

"In recent years, the U.S. Supreme Court has allowed that only factual
misrepresentation is to be considered libel or slander, not expression of
opinion."

Rob,

Interesting. Where did you get that quote from? And thank you for posting.

Steve

[otismalibu]

Re: America, 4th of July.....and Grey Flannel....

Wonder if this is the same gentleman who wrote the letter?


With the Los Angeles Lakers adding another World Championship to their storied franchise and Kobe Bryant winning the series MVP, we wanted to take this opportunity and offer to you, our loyal customers, three quality Kobe Bryant game-used jerseys which come to us direct from the Doug Friedman Collection. Each is accompanied by a Grey Flannel Letter of A uthenticity. Currently available are a 1997-98 Second Year Kobe Game-Used & Autographed Road Jersey, a 2000-01 Kobe Game-Used & Autographed Road Uniform from the Championship Season and a 2005-06 Kobe Game-Used Road Uniform. Please visit www.GreyFlannel.com to purchase these pieces of basketball history.

[hblakewolf]

Re: America, 4th of July.....and Grey Flannel....

Can a lawyer comment on the fact that the lawyer (Doug) is located in California, however, Richie Russek/Grey Flannel is a New York based company-why would a New York company retain a lawyer located 3,000 miles on the other side of the country? If indeed this case went to court, what state would try it, New York? If so, what's the chance that Doug can practice law outside of California or in New York?

Howard Wolf
hblakewolf@comcast.net

[Rob L]

Re: America, 4th of July.....and Grey Flannel....

Rob,

Interesting. Where did you get that quote from? And thank you for posting.

Steve

Steve,

I got that from West's Encyclopedia of American Law - libel and slander:

http://www.answers.com/topic/slander-and-libel

[Mr.3000]

Re: America, 4th of July.....and Grey Flannel....

Wonder if this is the same gentleman who wrote the letter?


With the Los Angeles Lakers adding another World Championship to their storied franchise and Kobe Bryant winning the series MVP, we wanted to take this opportunity and offer to you, our loyal customers, three quality Kobe Bryant game-used jerseys which come to us direct from the Doug Friedman Collection. Each is accompanied by a Grey Flannel Letter of A uthenticity. Currently available are a 1997-98 Second Year Kobe Game-Used & Autographed Road Jersey, a 2000-01 Kobe Game-Used & Autographed Road Uniform from the Championship Season and a 2005-06 Kobe Game-Used Road Uniform. Please visit www.GreyFlannel.com to purchase these pieces of basketball history.

LOL Busted!

Great catch. And VERY interesting. Mr. Lawyer has his hands in the cookie jar. No wonder he wants no one to point out Grey Flannels many flaws.

[Mr.3000]

Re: America, 4th of July.....and Grey Flannel....

Can a lawyer comment on the fact that the lawyer (Doug) is located in California, however, Richie Russek/Grey Flannel is a New York based company-why would a New York company retain a lawyer located 3,000 miles on the other side of the country? If indeed this case went to court, what state would try it, New York? If so, what's the chance that Doug can practice law outside of California or in New York?

Howard Wolf
hblakewolf@comcast.net

I wonder if his firm would be interested to know that he is using the firms letterhead, and his position there, to send frivolous threats to people in order to protect his own interests in a game used auction house...that clearly sells items from his personal collection. Perhaps a phone call to the leading partner is in order.

Oh what a tangled web we weave.......

LOL

[Rob L]

Re: America, 4th of July.....and Grey Flannel....

Wonder if this is the same gentleman who wrote the letter?


With the Los Angeles Lakers adding another World Championship to their storied franchise and Kobe Bryant winning the series MVP, we wanted to take this opportunity and offer to you, our loyal customers, three quality Kobe Bryant game-used jerseys which come to us direct from the Doug Friedman Collection. Each is accompanied by a Grey Flannel Letter of A uthenticity. Currently available are a 1997-98 Second Year Kobe Game-Used & Autographed Road Jersey, a 2000-01 Kobe Game-Used & Autographed Road Uniform from the Championship Season and a 2005-06 Kobe Game-Used Road Uniform. Please visit www.GreyFlannel.com to purchase these pieces of basketball history.

Classic!! What an idiot. Friedman is obviously has quite a stake in anyone knocking Grey Flannel when he is trying to sell his stuff. Jeez Steve, you better be shaking in your boots!!!

[hblakewolf]

Re: America, 4th of July.....and Grey Flannel....

Here is a pdf scan of the letter for those of you who want to see it. I have blacked out my address for obvious reasons......

Complete details on the lawyer of this letter, Doug Friedman:

http://abc7.lawinfo.com/expert/abc7personalinjury/about-us.html

Based on the information he provided, it's good to know that if I'm ever in the Los Angeles area and get bit by a crazed Pit Bull, He's the lawyer to retain!

Howard Wolf
hblakewolf@comcast.net

[sammy]

Re: America, 4th of July.....and Grey Flannel....

An old post in regard to Grey Flannels' business practices and expertise.

--------------------------------------------------------------------

Re: MASAUCTION - Mitchell Schumaker seriouslyfolks (Login seriouslyfolks)

May 11 2005 at 2:05 PM

Response to MASAUCTION Mitchell Schumaker

You are correct in your assumption regarding Mitch Schumacher of MS Auctions. There was an article in the May 11, 2001, issue of SCD regarding Mitch.

In that article, it states he was arrested in the FBI's Operation Foul Ball.

He admitted using an east coast authenticating firm to authenticate his game-model jerseys as game used. The east coast firm was Grey Flannel.

Most of the "game used" items he sold on ebay before being arrested by the FBI, had Grey Flannel letters. He plead guilty.

[earlywynnfan]

Re: America, 4th of July.....and Grey Flannel....

Not only does Douglas Friedman sound like the type of lawyer that gives them all a bad name, but he also ain't bein' very good at grammar:

"...my last attempt to to informally have you stop these type postings..."

Aren't lawyers supposed to have college degrees?


Steve, it's clear to me what you have to do now: Push this baby! Call Russek or whomever and find out why you in particular got a letter, and find out if it's the same Douglas Freidman. This has become a joke!

Ken
earlywynnfan5@hotmail.com

[dcrules01]

Re: America, 4th of July.....and Grey Flannel....

If I read right Kobe 97-98 they sold is a 46

00-01 sz 52

05-06 sz 58

That seems to be a big difference in sizing but I am no expert on his jerseys..Also I am no lawyer but him sending you the letter and consigning items with Grey flannel seems to be a conflict of interest..Maybe you made a comment about one of the jerseys he was consigning either way it is not right on there part.Good Luck

[otismalibu]

Re: America, 4th of July.....and Grey Flannel....

http://74.125.93.132/search?q=cache:9uvb_1x-absJ:www.greyflannel.com/stock/letters/Friedmanform.pdf+Chudacoff,+Simon+%26+Friedman,&cd=2&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us