Well, folks, it’s been a slice but my time is up.
In the seven years that I’ve run this site, it’s been a lot of different things. Most recently, and for the past many years, it’s been an on-again, off-again place for me to post reviews and previews and commentaries about stuff. I’ve liked it that way and even while it fell into a particular bit of disuse in the fall, leading up to my wedding, my campaign to bring it back to its former glory, and to pack it full of almost daily content, has been successful. It’s been a good last two months. My readership has increased, new and unique visitors are on the rise and the number of people brave (or stupid) enough to leave a comment is slowly creeping up. It’s been good, and it’s felt good to get this site moving and shaking again. I like writing, so it’s been fun.
But, much to my horror and surprise, an e-mail that would change the course of this little site’s life arrived in my e-mail box this morning. And, of all the ways I imagined this site might one day expire, this was certainly not one of them. Surely even I am not this creative. Here is an exert:
Dear Mr. Keith Little,
As a representative of Disney Enterprises Inc., the world’s largest media and entertainment conglomerate, I must advise you to immediately cease and desist your use of the “Corch” brand. This includes, primarily, the website — http://www.thecorch.com — which is currently hosted at the address of…
…since 2001, the “Corch” name and brand have been the property of Disney Enterprises for the purposes of children’s entertainment and development. According to internationally recognized intellectual property laws, our prior claim on this brand, for use in our Disney TV programming package, renders your subsequent use of the brand to be unlawful.
…failure to comply within a reasonable time frame will result in further legal action. Enclosed is legal contact information and our communications department will be happy to answer any questions you may have. Please be advised that for legal purposes, all calls regarding this matter will be recorded.
So the “Corch” is a Disney character all this time? I thought I made the term up…
I haven’t decided if I’ll recreate this site somewhere else, or what, but it’s a lot of work to move servers and a bit disheartening. I’m obviously not up to the challenge of fighting a potential law suit against the “world’s largest media and entertainment conglomerate” since I will surely lose so I really have no other choice. I plan to leave this message up for a few more days and then close down the site.
It’s been good, it’s been strange, but thanks for everything, guys. At least now I can say that I once had a website shut down by Disney! What a joke!
