CEhub / Tsunami - Patent Troll - Annette Abbott
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TheSocialRegressive
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CEhub / Tsunami - Patent Troll - Annette Abbott
Today I was contacted by a woman named Annette Abbott, CEO of a company called CEhub (formerly Tsunami). The company is based in Tulsa, Oklahoma, where I live. She had seen my marketing site online, and she called to threaten me, saying that if I were involved in developing event registration systems or online training systems, that I would have to pay her company license fees. She made it sound cordial enough, like she wasn't asking anything untoward, but it was extremely awkward and upsetting. She claimed that her company owned patents for online learning systems and event registration.
I have contacted some folks, and they are looking into the validity of these claims. It just doesn't seem possible that she would own any part of something that I built from scratch, using open-source code. I can see patenting actual code, but an overarching idea? That's like patenting the novel form and demanding money every time an author prints one.
I'm a small-time developer. I am the sole employee of my company, and I deliver a handful of streamlined products for small-business-owners. I am not OK with paying off a company that, to me, just looks like organized crime.
From what little I can gather online, the CEO, Annette Abbott, touts herself as an important business owner in my community. She attends the luncheons, complains about the state not encouraging woman-owned businesses, and essentially tries to make herself the one and only solution for people trying to build sites in this state. She has complained in the past about out-of-state development, with particular scorn being thrown toward open-source development. In her phone call she claimed to currently be suing Constant Contact.
I get the feeling that I am just one stop on a campaign of hers to bully Oklahoma developers into (a) paying her royalties for developing certain kinds of sites, and (b) working exclusively for her company when those projects appear (money from developers and clients alike). I'm hoping that this post can attract the attention of other Oklahoma developers as they get accosted. I'll add to this thread as I get more data, but if you are in the same boat, please chime in. We might need the strength of numbers.
I have contacted some folks, and they are looking into the validity of these claims. It just doesn't seem possible that she would own any part of something that I built from scratch, using open-source code. I can see patenting actual code, but an overarching idea? That's like patenting the novel form and demanding money every time an author prints one.
I'm a small-time developer. I am the sole employee of my company, and I deliver a handful of streamlined products for small-business-owners. I am not OK with paying off a company that, to me, just looks like organized crime.
From what little I can gather online, the CEO, Annette Abbott, touts herself as an important business owner in my community. She attends the luncheons, complains about the state not encouraging woman-owned businesses, and essentially tries to make herself the one and only solution for people trying to build sites in this state. She has complained in the past about out-of-state development, with particular scorn being thrown toward open-source development. In her phone call she claimed to currently be suing Constant Contact.
I get the feeling that I am just one stop on a campaign of hers to bully Oklahoma developers into (a) paying her royalties for developing certain kinds of sites, and (b) working exclusively for her company when those projects appear (money from developers and clients alike). I'm hoping that this post can attract the attention of other Oklahoma developers as they get accosted. I'll add to this thread as I get more data, but if you are in the same boat, please chime in. We might need the strength of numbers.
Re: CEhub / Tsunami - Patent Troll - Annette Abbott
It sounds like you probably(definitely) need to contact a lawyer about this. Let us know what unfolds, and good luck!
Re: CEhub / Tsunami - Patent Troll - Annette Abbott
Get the patent numbers and see what they cover and if they are even valid and owned by her. It's doubtful she has any patents at all.
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TheSocialRegressive
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Re: CEhub / Tsunami - Patent Troll - Annette Abbott
I just got some legal counsel today. The lawyer thought her methods odd. He said that typically the patent owner tells the developer what product is infringing on the patent. Then he or she will give the specific patent number.
For now I have been advised to avoid contact with Annette Abbott. As soon as she calls me (with or without specifics on an infringing product), I am to immediately tell her to contact my legal counsel; never to contact me again. Fortunately, one of my clients that might be affected by this chain of events has this legal counsel. If it weren't for that...I'm just too small a developer to afford something like that.
If any of you have found this post after hearing similar threats from Annette Abbott and CEhub, please post in this thread.
For now I have been advised to avoid contact with Annette Abbott. As soon as she calls me (with or without specifics on an infringing product), I am to immediately tell her to contact my legal counsel; never to contact me again. Fortunately, one of my clients that might be affected by this chain of events has this legal counsel. If it weren't for that...I'm just too small a developer to afford something like that.
If any of you have found this post after hearing similar threats from Annette Abbott and CEhub, please post in this thread.
Re: CEhub / Tsunami - Patent Troll - Annette Abbott
It's likely she is nothing more than an Internet bully considering her method of contacting you. Most likely, if her claims were valid you would have been contacted by an attorney in writing.
Re: CEhub / Tsunami - Patent Troll - Annette Abbott
I got a call from Annette Abbott just yesterday 09/22/11 stating the exact same things. On the phone she claimed to be currently suing WordPress. I've contacted my lawyer about the accusations. Typically, I thought you would receive a cease and desist letter. What happened once you had her contact your attorney?
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Re: CEhub / Tsunami - Patent Troll - Annette Abbott
I wouldn't waste a second of my time until Ms. Abbott had a lawyer contact me with some documentation explaining how exactly I am in violation of their patents including their patent numbers.thatguy* wrote:I got a call from Annette Abbott just yesterday 09/22/11 stating the exact same things. On the phone she claimed to be currently suing WordPress. I've contacted my lawyer about the accusations. Typically, I thought you would receive a cease and desist letter. What happened once you had her contact your attorney?
It sounds like shes throwing idle threats to see who responds (a common tactic). Most likely, she will go away.
P.S., Let the lawyers deal with it. They can smell B.S. a lot better than us non-legal folk.
Re: CEhub / Tsunami - Patent Troll - Annette Abbott
My employer is also, being harassed by Annette Abbott & he is very upset by her. She has been calling with threats for about two weeks now. He runs a nonprofit foundation that does training for ministers & doesn't really want to spend money on a lawyer. Does anyone know if she has actually followed through with her threats to sue, or is she just blowing smoke?
Re: CEhub / Tsunami - Patent Troll - Annette Abbott
Hello, everyone -
A good friend of mine received one of her threatening emails. He asked me to investigate. Clearly, she is a patent troll with NO legal standing behind her. And unfortunately for her, she has riled up the 800 lb. Gorilla in Social Media... ME. I run the largest Social Media Marketing group on LinkedIn (and I believe, on the planet) with nearly 250,000 members. I am going to force her hand publicly, then report her response to my groups and here.
I have copied my email to her below my signature.
Cheers,
Mike Crosson
Moderator and Publisher
SocialMediopolis.com
Anette -
I am very curious about your business. A friend of mine, who is a member of a very influential private discussion group, received an email from you that is essentially a "cease and desist" regarding his social media practice.
As you may or may not know, I run the largest Social Media Marketing group here on LinkedIn, as well as publishing SocialMediopolis.com, a private website for social media marketers.
You stated: "I am asking all social media strategists to limit what their presentations include so as not to introduce or train on my patented technologies." I find this VERY intimidating and highly unlikely to be upheld legally. In fact, it sounds very much like a threat, and if you are pursuing any kind of financial compensation, then blackmail.
I would like you to respond with a public statement and explain exactly what patents and/or processes you have registered, how these affect the hundreds of thousands of members of my group and anyone else who practices social media.
I will be happy to publish your response to my group, or if you choose not to respond, I will post your claims to the group so that they may contact YOU directly.
Thank you for your attention to this serious matter.
Mike Crosson
Moderator and Publisher
http://www.SocialMediopolis.com
A good friend of mine received one of her threatening emails. He asked me to investigate. Clearly, she is a patent troll with NO legal standing behind her. And unfortunately for her, she has riled up the 800 lb. Gorilla in Social Media... ME. I run the largest Social Media Marketing group on LinkedIn (and I believe, on the planet) with nearly 250,000 members. I am going to force her hand publicly, then report her response to my groups and here.
I have copied my email to her below my signature.
Cheers,
Mike Crosson
Moderator and Publisher
SocialMediopolis.com
Anette -
I am very curious about your business. A friend of mine, who is a member of a very influential private discussion group, received an email from you that is essentially a "cease and desist" regarding his social media practice.
As you may or may not know, I run the largest Social Media Marketing group here on LinkedIn, as well as publishing SocialMediopolis.com, a private website for social media marketers.
You stated: "I am asking all social media strategists to limit what their presentations include so as not to introduce or train on my patented technologies." I find this VERY intimidating and highly unlikely to be upheld legally. In fact, it sounds very much like a threat, and if you are pursuing any kind of financial compensation, then blackmail.
I would like you to respond with a public statement and explain exactly what patents and/or processes you have registered, how these affect the hundreds of thousands of members of my group and anyone else who practices social media.
I will be happy to publish your response to my group, or if you choose not to respond, I will post your claims to the group so that they may contact YOU directly.
Thank you for your attention to this serious matter.
Mike Crosson
Moderator and Publisher
http://www.SocialMediopolis.com
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aspdotnetdeveloper
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Re: CEhub / Tsunami - Patent Troll - Annette Abbott
A friend of mine was contacted two months ago and warned me that this person has been calling all of the companies in this area who gives any sort of presenation or training in social media marketing. Today, I finally received a phone call from her claiming that she owns patents on Social Media Marketing training and on Content Management. She said that she is currently in litigation with Word Press at a federal level.
Anyway, when I pointed out that I was aware of her calling my competitors demanding for "License Fees", she went absolutely nuts! She was screaming so loudly that the speaker on the phone was overloaded. I could not even understand what she was saying due to the shear volume mixed in with a bunch of sobbing. I recorded the entire conversation and played it back to my attorney and he said that she had no case at all. We looked up her "patent" and it actually describes a software program that manages and facilitates "Online Contiuing Education" programs. We were puzzled that she interpreted this definition as "content management" or "social media". It had some real vague language regarding the description of the software, but it was clearly focusing on "continuing education" programs.
In addition, I looked up her company on OSCN.Net (The Oklahoma Supreme Court Network) and found that her company has been sued around 12 times and lost every case. They have NOT been a plaintiff on any of those actions. They were defendants on cases which included complains such as "Indebtedness", "Breach of Contract" and "Forcible Entry". When I searched the database for her name, I found another long list of events. She has spent a lot of time in the court room, but none of the events were in offence. Most of them she lost from default judgement (meaning that she did not get an attorney to fight the charges).
Here is a link to the court records on her company:
http://www.oscn.net/applications/oscn/c ... icitation=
I would ignore this crazy woman.
Anyway, when I pointed out that I was aware of her calling my competitors demanding for "License Fees", she went absolutely nuts! She was screaming so loudly that the speaker on the phone was overloaded. I could not even understand what she was saying due to the shear volume mixed in with a bunch of sobbing. I recorded the entire conversation and played it back to my attorney and he said that she had no case at all. We looked up her "patent" and it actually describes a software program that manages and facilitates "Online Contiuing Education" programs. We were puzzled that she interpreted this definition as "content management" or "social media". It had some real vague language regarding the description of the software, but it was clearly focusing on "continuing education" programs.
In addition, I looked up her company on OSCN.Net (The Oklahoma Supreme Court Network) and found that her company has been sued around 12 times and lost every case. They have NOT been a plaintiff on any of those actions. They were defendants on cases which included complains such as "Indebtedness", "Breach of Contract" and "Forcible Entry". When I searched the database for her name, I found another long list of events. She has spent a lot of time in the court room, but none of the events were in offence. Most of them she lost from default judgement (meaning that she did not get an attorney to fight the charges).
Here is a link to the court records on her company:
http://www.oscn.net/applications/oscn/c ... icitation=
I would ignore this crazy woman.
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patrick24601
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Re: CEhub / Tsunami - Patent Troll - Annette Abbott
She lives. She contacted me (Focus Consulting Inc, Oklahoma City) today to basically tell me everything you saw above. In addition she says she contacted two local TV stations where I contribute on the topic of social media. I believe this borders on slander.
I'll try to let this die, but if it doesn't I'll come back and share more about her. Please keep this thread updated.
I am also made an SEO friendly page about her on my sites
http://allaboutfocus.com/annette-abbott-annoyance/
I'll try to let this die, but if it doesn't I'll come back and share more about her. Please keep this thread updated.
I am also made an SEO friendly page about her on my sites
http://allaboutfocus.com/annette-abbott-annoyance/
Re: CEhub / Tsunami - Patent Troll - Annette Abbott
I have had several run-ins with Ms. Abbott. I own an integrated marketing and PR company in Tulsa and I regularly speak about things like digital vs. traditional PR and effectively using social media in the context of building brands and businesses. Ms. Abbott went so far as to call an organization which hired me to speak at an event and threaten THEM with legal action for supporting my activities which were, in her words, in direct violation of her patent. Since she had already threatened me over the phone and via email with legal action on other occasions and was now threatening my livelihood, I decided enough was indeed, enough. I found and read her patent online (linked in one of the other posts here and findable on the US Patent Office's' website) to make sure she had no case (she doesn't) and located the contact information for her lawyer, whom she'd conveniently cc'd on a number of her emails to me. Since she'd ignored my repeated, in writing, requests that she direct any and all correspondence to my legal counsel, I decided turnabout was fair play and called up her Florida lawyer. While he admitted he represented her, he backed off quickly from any indication that she was suing anyone for anything. Here's what I told him:
"Unless you WANT to represent her in a defamation and slander suit, which I will most assuredly be bringing against her if I receive, hear rumors of, or otherwise get a whiff of, any more of her outrageous claims against me, directly or indirectly, I would REIGN HER IN, sir, and I do mean now. I have four children to feed, and I will not allow anyone, least of all someone whose business model seems to rest on threats of legal action to defend baseless claims, to interfere with making that happen. Are we clear?" He told me that we were, and I haven't heard anything from Ms. Abbott for the past couple of months. I'm sure she'll surface again, either for me or for one of you. Tell her, when she does, that when she wins her suit against Wordpress and has a legal precedent for owning the Internet, she's welcome to contact your lawyer and file suit. Until then, to stop harassing you (use that word, it means something legally) and stop seeking to interfere with your livelihood. Whether you actually have a lawyer at that point is immaterial.
"Unless you WANT to represent her in a defamation and slander suit, which I will most assuredly be bringing against her if I receive, hear rumors of, or otherwise get a whiff of, any more of her outrageous claims against me, directly or indirectly, I would REIGN HER IN, sir, and I do mean now. I have four children to feed, and I will not allow anyone, least of all someone whose business model seems to rest on threats of legal action to defend baseless claims, to interfere with making that happen. Are we clear?" He told me that we were, and I haven't heard anything from Ms. Abbott for the past couple of months. I'm sure she'll surface again, either for me or for one of you. Tell her, when she does, that when she wins her suit against Wordpress and has a legal precedent for owning the Internet, she's welcome to contact your lawyer and file suit. Until then, to stop harassing you (use that word, it means something legally) and stop seeking to interfere with your livelihood. Whether you actually have a lawyer at that point is immaterial.
Re: CEhub / Tsunami - Patent Troll - Annette Abbott
Thanks, Patrick! Perhaps she's targeting you because she's run out of Tulsa people to call uppatrick24601 wrote:She lives. She contacted me (Focus Consulting Inc, Oklahoma City) today to basically tell me everything you saw above. In addition she says she contacted two local TV stations where I contribute on the topic of social media. I believe this borders on slander.
I'll try to let this die, but if it doesn't I'll come back and share more about her. Please keep this thread updated.
I am also made an SEO friendly page about her on my sites
http://allaboutfocus.com/annette-abbott-annoyance/
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patrick24601
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Re: CEhub / Tsunami - Patent Troll - Annette Abbott
Great information Mandy. I put the OKC street gang on notice tonight. Competition or not - I believe all of us are a community.
Last edited by patrick24601 on Mon May 14, 2012 6:33 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Re: CEhub / Tsunami - Patent Troll - Annette Abbott
I work for a rather large nonprofit in Tulsa. Annette Abbott has been a pain in our sides for several years. We are now in the process of issuing a restraining order against her.
I would use extreme caution if she shows up on your doorstep. She's had to be escorted off property on more than one occasion. Quite frankly we believe she's capable of about anything.
Do not take her calls, do not respond to her emails and do NOT let her into your offices or building.
I would use extreme caution if she shows up on your doorstep. She's had to be escorted off property on more than one occasion. Quite frankly we believe she's capable of about anything.
Do not take her calls, do not respond to her emails and do NOT let her into your offices or building.