Showing posts with label Facebook. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Facebook. Show all posts

Saturday, April 22, 2023

Louise Brooks Society gives up social media

Over the last few months, the Louise Brooks Society™ has suffered attack after attack on its various social media accounts, and has decided to call it quits on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. Maintaining these accounts is just not worth the trouble, and anyways, their influence is waning - especially Twitter. 

Sadly, each of these social media platforms have allowed an internet troll (we all know who I'm talking about) to attack the LBS through a series of nuisance complaints alleging the Louise Brooks Society has somehow infringed on their trademark and intellectual property rights. Bullshit. It is simply not true, but these platforms and others, like LinkTree and Etsy and CafePress, simply don't care. The truth is in the details, but sadly, these platforms can't be bothered with details like my Louise Brooks Society predates the troll's trademark by more than 20 years. It is enough to simply file a claim, and have someone's else page or account permanently disabled.

The Louise Brooks Society Twitter account, established in 2009, had gained more than 5000 followers, and was taken down. And so was the recently established second LBS Twitter account.

The Louise Brooks Society Facebook fan page, established in 2010, had also gained more than 5000 followers, and was taken down. And so was the official LBS Facebook account.

The Louise Brooks Society Instagram page, established in 2021, had gained more than 5300 followers, and was taken down. And so was the second LBS Instagram account, which in the last couple of months had gained more than 500 followers.

If these platforms don't care enough about me, then I don't care about them.  

But what's more, this vindictive troll has also had my PERSONAL Twitter and Facebook pages permanently disabled, likely because I describe myself as the "Director" of the Louise Brooks Society. (With its reference to a film director, what else could I call myself ?) BTW: I founded the Louise Brooks Society website in 1995, and have long displayed a © copyright symbol on my website. Sadly, I have been cut off from my family and friends.


I expect to not post about this situation anymore. It is a drag, and I could imagine many readers of this blog find this matter a bit tedious. But, I would expect, they are more reason and interesting than the bat-shit crazy posts the troll has been posting about me.  

The two decade old images shown here are of the images that got my accounts taken down.

THE LEGAL STUFF: The Louise Brooks Society™ blog is authored by Thomas Gladysz, Director of the Louise Brooks Society  (www.pandorasbox.com). Original contents copyright © 2023. Further unauthorized use prohibited.

Tuesday, March 28, 2023

Update on the Attacks on the Louise Brooks Society

As some may know, the Louise Brooks Society is under attack. Last week, the Louise Brooks Society Facebook page was suspended for 3 days due to a bogus report of trademark infringement filed by Michael Garcia Mujica, doing business as "Vintage Brooks". The image which Mujica claims violated his 2019 trademark (on the name "Louise Brooks") was one I have been using for decades. It is shown below. 


Hours after the Louise Brooks Society Facebook page was suspended, my personal Facebook page, under my name, Thomas Gladysz, was disabled, no doubt because of another fraudulent claim by you know who. Will this troll never stop? 

Since I use my personal account to access Facebook and run my Louise Brooks Society page, I am now effectively locked out of Facebook all together. I can no longer communicate with my family and friends, and with those whom I have met over the internet through a shared interest in Louise Brooks.

Later that day, or was it the next day (it all seems like a long ago nightmare), the Louise Brooks Society Twitter accounts was also permanently disabled. Actually, this is the second LBS Twitter account to be destroyed by a fraudulent claim of trademark infringement filed by Michael Garcia Mujica (dba Vintage Brooks). And just today, my personal Twitter account was also disabled.

I had been on Twitter since 2009. And, I had been on Facebook since 2010. That is more than 13 years of lost contacts and connections (numbering in the thousands), and more than 13 of lost good will and brand development. I don't know the number of times I tweeted, but it was likely thousands of times. The same with Facebook where I posted thousands of times. That is a lot of lost history as well.

I have filed appeals with each of these platforms, but each has failed to respond to my appeals. With Twitter and Meta (Facebook and Instagram) in such disarray, it is not surprising.

For the record: The Louise Brooks Society™ website was established online in 1995. Its website and the wordmark “Louise Brooks Society” are under copyright and common law trademark protection. Additionally, the Louise Brooks Society operates with the written consent of the Estate of Louise Brooks (Louise Brooks Heirs, LC), and have its permission to use the name and likeness of the actress. "Vintage Brooks" does not.

I  would also like to say that I greatly appreciate the emails of support I have received from my online friends. It looks like I will have to do without Twitter and Facebook for the foreseeable future. If you need to reach me, please note the email address in the image below. (The image, depicting MY business card, was taken down from Instagram because of another nuisance complaint from you know who.) His behavior is contemptible, and really rather pathetic.

THE LEGAL STUFF: The Louise Brooks Society™ blog is authored by Thomas Gladysz, Director of the Louise Brooks Society (www.pandorasbox.com). Original contents copyright © 2023. Further unauthorized use prohibited.

Tuesday, March 21, 2023

Louise Brooks Society under attack again

Just so everyone knows, my Louise Brooks Society Facebook account has been suspended for 3 days due to a bogus report of trademark infringement filed by the internet troll Michael Garcia Mujica, doing business as "Vintage Brooks". My apologies to 5000+ followers, but this troll seemingly doesn't have anything better to do than harass the Louise Brooks Society. What a loser.

The two items on Facebook which were reported were a link to the March 4th Louise Brooks Society blog reporting on the forthcoming publication of a graphic novel about the actress, Dark Star: Louise Brooks in Berlin.  Also reported for trademark violation was my Louise Brooks Society logo, which is shown below. "Vintage Brooks" has no legitimate or lawful claim to either of these items. He does not own each and every use of Brooks name. His claims of trademark infringement is nothing more than harassment.

 

Today, as well, the re-established Louise Brooks Society Instagram account was also taken down following yet another allegation by Vintage Brooks of trademark infringement. Again, this is bull shit. Last week, two images on my LBS Instagram account were also taken down following a fraudulent claim of trademark infringement. One of images picture an old pinback button showing the image above. The other image which was removed was  an image of my Louise Brooks Society business card. BTW: I had to reestablish the Louise Brooks Society Instagram account after it was taken down once before.

A few weeks ago, the Louise Brooks Society Twitter account was also shut down following a complaint by Vintage Brooks. The Louise Brooks Society has been on Twitter since 2009, and it had gained more than 5000 followers. 

Of course, I have filed appeals with each of these platforms, but each has failed to respond to my appeals. With Twitter and Meta (Facebook and Instagram) in such disarray, it is not surprising. The only good spin on this situation is that Vintage Brooks actions are helping build a legal case and financial liability against himself.

For the record: The Louise Brooks Society™ website was established online in 1995. Its website and the wordmark “Louise Brooks Society” are under copyright and common law trademark protection. Additionally, the Louise Brooks Society operates with the written consent of the Estate of Louise Brooks (Louise Brooks Heirs, LC), and have its permission to use the name and likeness of the actress. "Vintage Brooks" does not.

UPDATE 3/23/2023: Today, the second incarnation of the Louise Brooks Society Twitter account was permanently suspended. No doubt, it was taken down after a complaint by Vintage Brooks. I don't know for sure, as the account was taken down without any explanation.

Sunday, January 30, 2011

New Facebook fan page for the Louise Brooks Society

I've set up a new Facebook fan page for the Louise Brooks Society. It can be found at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Louise-Brooks-Society/117328855002736

Fan pages are more robust, and have more functionality than the old group pages on Facebook. Eventually, this new fan page should replace the longstanding LBS group page. Please check it out.

I've set up this new page as part of my long planned rebuild of the Louise Brooks Society website. Part of the rebuild includes integrating web 2.0 functionality - as well as lots of new content!

And don't forget, Pandora's Box airs tonight on Turner Classic Movies (TCM). Check your local listings.

Tuesday, November 2, 2010

New Facebook page for The Diary of a Lost Girl (Louise Brooks edition)

I have set up a new Facebook page for The Diary of a Lost Girl (Louise Brooks edition). And so far, I have added a bunch of images, with more coming! I also plan on adding background info, announcements, reviews, notice of events, links and more. Also, check out the SHOP NOW tab near the top of the the page. Those who "like" the page receive a 10% discount and free shipping on copies of The Diary of a Lost Girl purchased through Facebook. Check it out!

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