Michael Crook Retracts False DMCA Claims

Michael Crook, who is being sued by the EFF for sending out false DMCA claims regrading the above image (he sent us over 10 DMCA claims), is now retracting all of his DMCA claims. This is all part of a pending settlement with Jeff Diehl (10 Zen Monkeys) and EFF, the details of which have not yet been made public.

I just called Jeff Diehl to get his response to this news and he provided the following statement regarding the pending settlement:

Crook withdrawing his DMCA takedown notices is only one small part of the settlement agreement, which is he is not supposed to be publicizing at this time because it has not been filed with the court.

I can guarantee that the internet public will be extremely surprised and satisfied with the *other* elements of the settlement. So stay tuned to your favorite blog.

For those who are interested, we are throwing a public party and fundraiser for EFF at 111 Minna in SF on March 22nd.

Here is the retraction of the original DMCA claim that Michael Crook sent to us in response to the original 10 Zen Monkey’s blog post (Laughing Squid hosts 10zenmonkeys.com):

February 9, 2007

To Whom it May Concern:

This is in regards to a DMCA complaint that was issued to you as the webmaster, OSP, or administrator, in reference to the following URL(s):

http://10zenmonkeys.com/images/crookdork.jpg

In the Company of Jerkoffs

On this page is a link to the following URL:

http://members.aol.com/viperspages/about/foxnews2.jpg

At this time, I would like to withdraw the DMCA complaint, strictly as pertains to the above URL(s), which regard
a 2005 appearance on the Fox News Channel.

I request that the content therefore be restored, and the DMCA complaint withdrawn, and would like to at this
time apologize for any extra work or problems that this complaint has caused.

I certify that the above information is true and correct to the best of my knowledge, information, and belief, and may be reached via telephone at XXXX, or via postal mail at XXXX. E-mail is XXXX.

Thank you,

Michael Crook

News of his DMCA retractions is also being reported by Techdirt and Thomas Hawk.