I find this interesting. This can affect alot of Internet only stations and should prior usage be enforced? The folks on other boards seem to believe that Internet stations are just "little" people with a hobby.
Here's the News Release:
Steve.FM, an independent Internet radio station, has asked Clear Channel Communications to cease and desist from using its name in connection with a Clear Channel FM radio station in Columbia, South Carolina. www.Steve.FM has been operating out of Seattle, Washington since May of this year and calls itself “Steve FM.” Clear Channel announced the name change of its Columbia WLTY station to Steve-FM in mid-August, and has recently launched a website at the domain name steve-fm.com.
Steve Chapman, owner of Steve FM, and in broadcasting for over thirty years, feels that with prior usage of the name for his Internet station, he has grounds to ask Clear Channel not to use Steve FM as a station name. Chapman says, “Clearly, this corporate giant feels the little guy has no rights and they can do what they want, without fear of legal action.” “With just limited funds, I’ve created an Internet station and an image that will be harmed if Clear Channel decides to ignore my rights in this matter.” Chapman’s Steve FM has been broadcasting via the Internet, located at www.steve.fm, since May, playing Seattle’s Rock ‘n’ Roots Internet radio.
**** Pass the word. Protect yourselves or you'll find others using your name or trademark and you'll be walked all over. Small Internet only stations have as much rights legally as does Clear Channel or any of the other corporate big boys.
Here's the News Release:
Steve.FM, an independent Internet radio station, has asked Clear Channel Communications to cease and desist from using its name in connection with a Clear Channel FM radio station in Columbia, South Carolina. www.Steve.FM has been operating out of Seattle, Washington since May of this year and calls itself “Steve FM.” Clear Channel announced the name change of its Columbia WLTY station to Steve-FM in mid-August, and has recently launched a website at the domain name steve-fm.com.
Steve Chapman, owner of Steve FM, and in broadcasting for over thirty years, feels that with prior usage of the name for his Internet station, he has grounds to ask Clear Channel not to use Steve FM as a station name. Chapman says, “Clearly, this corporate giant feels the little guy has no rights and they can do what they want, without fear of legal action.” “With just limited funds, I’ve created an Internet station and an image that will be harmed if Clear Channel decides to ignore my rights in this matter.” Chapman’s Steve FM has been broadcasting via the Internet, located at www.steve.fm, since May, playing Seattle’s Rock ‘n’ Roots Internet radio.
**** Pass the word. Protect yourselves or you'll find others using your name or trademark and you'll be walked all over. Small Internet only stations have as much rights legally as does Clear Channel or any of the other corporate big boys.
