Righthaven Keeps On Losing; Court Grants Receivership Request

from the another-one-down dept

Tue, Dec 13th 2011 3:01pm — Mike Masnick

Righthaven just keeps on flopping. After Randazza Legal Group, in the Hoehn case, has continually tried to get further access to Righthaven's assets to satisfy the attorneys fees that Righthaven owes, the court has now granted Hoehn's request to appoint a receiver and begin to assign Righthaven's intellectual property. Of course, that raises questions about what IP Righthaven actually has... considering that part of the reason it's in this whole mess is that it supposedly does not have the rights to any of these copyrights. Furthermore, Righthaven boss Steve Gibson, along with Raisha "Drizzle" Y. Gibson (I have no idea) have been told to appear before the court on January 5th to provide testimony under oath concerning Righthaven's assets -- or face contempt charges. It's worth noting that part of the reason for the court's decision in the first document is the failure of Righthaven to file any response at all to the request, which has become par for the course for the company. Makes you wonder if the Gibsons will actually show up on January 5th...

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Filed Under: receivership
Companies: righthaven

20 Comments

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The eejit (profile), 13 Dec 2011 @ 3:31pm

Well, look on the bright side...
AIUI, a Contempt charge can lead to disbarment. Having said that, who would want Gibson working at a McDonalds?

"I'm sorry, we don't have the funds to make you a Bic Mac with fries. That'll be $%34, 965, please."
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- Anonymous Coward, 13 Dec 2011 @ 9:49pm
  
  Re: Well, look on the bright side...
  I wouldn't want that dishonest, lawbreaking fool working anywhere near my food.
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  - Anonymous Coward, 13 Dec 2011 @ 9:49pm
    
    Re: Re: Well, look on the bright side...
    (there are two people you don't mess with. Doctors and those who prepare your food)
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    - Anonymous Coward, 13 Dec 2011 @ 9:49pm
      
      Re: Re: Re: Well, look on the bright side...
      (well ... surgeons in particular...)
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Nathan F (profile), 13 Dec 2011 @ 3:34pm

Books and Movies!
"Of course, that raises questions about what IP Righthaven actually has... considering that part of the reason it's in this whole mess is that it supposedly does not have the rights to any of these copyrights."

Well, they may not have the rights to any of the articles they brought people to court over they do have the rights to their story. I'm sure a halfway decent screenwriter could make a movie to rival that of even the greatest Greek Tragedy! I bet they could even make their $100M in sunk costs back on it. *nods knowingly*
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- Franklin G Ryzzo (profile), 13 Dec 2011 @ 4:00pm
  
  Re: Books and Movies!
  If I'm not mistaken (but very well could be), I thought that Stevens Media transferred the IP rights to Righthaven after courts started to realize they didn't have standing to sue. Although the courts weren't all that impressed with the move and didn't allow it to change the fact that when the suits were filed Righthaven didn't have the right to do so, it might mean that they currently own the IP and that Steven's Media might lose the IP rights they granted for the sole purpose of their extortion scheme. Wouldn't that be the most delicious irony of all this mess?
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  - Karl (profile), 14 Dec 2011 @ 9:07am
    
    Re: Re: Books and Movies!
    If I'm not mistaken (but very well could be), I thought that Stevens Media transferred the IP rights to Righthaven after courts started to realize they didn't have standing to sue.
    
    They both signed a "revised" SAA, but that didn't hold up in court either.
    
    So, no, they don't have any of Stephens' IP.
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- Anonymous Coward, 18 Dec 2011 @ 3:56pm
  
  Re: Books and Movies!
  It would have to be a Coen Brothers movie, I think.
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Trails (profile), 13 Dec 2011 @ 3:39pm

Stop lying, Mike
Look, it's clear that the courts have simply invited the Gibsons down to give them some legal guidance on their fillings.

Honestly, I wouldn't be surprised if the judge served tea and scones.
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- harbingerofdoom (profile), 13 Dec 2011 @ 3:44pm
  
  Re: Stop lying, Mike
  not sure if srs...
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- dwg, 13 Dec 2011 @ 4:23pm
  
  Re: Stop lying, Mike
  Huh, huh, huh: you said "fillings."
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- TtfnJohn (profile), 13 Dec 2011 @ 6:18pm
  
  Re: Stop lying, Mike
  The order reads more like the judge is more interesting in removing their fillings rather than admiring them. Without anesthetic.
  
  Could be lots of fun. :)
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Pixelation, 13 Dec 2011 @ 4:27pm

I hope he doesn't appear. That would really add to the enjoyment of the whole show.
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- DannyB (profile), 14 Dec 2011 @ 6:35am
  
  Re:
  More entertaining would be if he would file notice with the court of his intent not to appear, and that he challenges the court's ability to make him appear.
  
  Now THAT would be entertainment!
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Anonymous Coward, 13 Dec 2011 @ 6:17pm

Righthaven's owners should transfer ownership to a holding company in the Seychelles, for the irony. Double irony if the RIAA keeps trying to defend their case.
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- abc gum, 13 Dec 2011 @ 9:19pm
  
  Re:
  "Righthaven's owners should transfer ownership to a holding company in the Seychelles"
  
  Righthaven - goin down faster than a remote controlled drone
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G Thompson (profile), 13 Dec 2011 @ 10:50pm

I suggest they hire Marc Stephens , I mean it couldn't get any worse could it. LOL
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- Anonymous Coward, 14 Dec 2011 @ 4:24am
  
  Re:
  They could hire AJ.
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- Trails (profile), 14 Dec 2011 @ 7:37am
  
  Re:
  Two words: Jack Thompson.
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DannyB (profile), 14 Dec 2011 @ 6:38am

RIAA, quick, come to the rescue !!!
Dear RIAA:

Righthaven is in trouble. You need to step in and rescue them. It is imperative that you at once transfer ownership of your IP to Righthaven prior to January 5, 2012.
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