|
Autism Speaks Intimidates yet another Autistic Blogger - Chilling Effects
Posted on Saturday, June 21 @ 09:30:14 EDT by | 
After the negative publicity Autism Speaks received for threatening to sue a 14 year old autistic girl for her perfectly legal parody website, you would think that the organization learned their lesson. Unfortunately, they're at it again, this time threatening an autistic blogger's t-shirt company with legal action for a shirt that read "'Autism Speaks' can go away. I have Autism. I can speak for myself." The organization claimed the t-shirt was a violation of copyright, despite the fact that such a t-shirt is protected as free speech.
Autism Speaks, which claims to speak for autism, has no autistic employees or board members with autism and is viewed as a bully by many autistic individuals who feel that the organization engages in tactics that marginalize their voices and contribute to an environment that hurts the lives of those with Autism. Their most recent move certainly supports such an argument.
Read on for the details and links.
AspieWeb is run by an autistic individual named Zach, who posted about the incident on his site. Zach has designed a variety of humorous and more serious t-shirts for people with autism. He is one of the countless autistic individuals who feel that Autism Speaks does more harm than good so his t-shirts voice sentiments shared by a large community.
Zach received the following notice from his t-shirt company:
Dear Zach,
Thank you for your email.
Thank you for your interest in Zazzle.com, and thank you for publishing products on Zazzle. Unfortunately, we have been contacted by Autism Speaks Inc. and it was requested that these products be removed from Zazzle.com. At the risk of legal action taken against Zazzle and yourself as a contributor of these products, it was decided that it was in the best interest of both parties to have the products removed from the Zazzle Marketplace.
Thanks for using Zazzle!
Best Regards,
Marcos
Content Management Team
Zazzle.com, Inc.
Hopefully Zach will find another company to print his t-shirts; preferably one that understands copyright law.
Zach's post on this incident
Wrong Planet Discussion
Update: According to Zach, Zazzle is now claiming that the shirt that Autism Speaks had a problem with was a different shirt on Zazzle. I have to wonder then why Zazzle told Zach that Autism Speaks had a problem with his shirt. I also wonder what shirt Autism Speaks had a problem with. They never said and Autism Speaks still claims to have never contacted Zazzle.
|
|
| |
|
|
| | The comments are owned by the poster. We aren't responsible for their content. |
|
|
|
No Comments Allowed for Anonymous, please register |
|
Re: Autism Speaks Intimidates yet another Autistic Blogger - Chilling Effects (Score: 1)
by scs Friday, October 17 @ 16:50:27 EDT
(User Info | Send a Message) | | Autism Speaks? Autism Reeks? Autism Squeaks?
I don't think Asperger's should be associated with Autism. It does more harm than good, and anyway, there has never been a proven connection (affect in the same genes, developmental umm, 'abnormalities', etc...) AFAIK. |
|
|
Re: irlmouyrjo (Score: 1)
by pendolph Saturday, December 27 @ 11:09:29 EST
(User Info | Send a Message) | | [www.campus.sn] [www.campus.sn] [www.campus.sn] [www.campus.sn] [www.campus.sn] [www.campus.sn] [www.campus.sn] [www.campus.sn] [www.campus.sn] [www.campus.sn] [www.campus.sn] [www.campus.sn] [www.campus.sn] [www.campus.sn] [www.campus.sn] [www.campus.sn] [www.campus.sn] [www.campus.sn] [www.campus.sn] [www.campus.sn] |
|
|
Re: iibid (Score: 1)
by pendolph Monday, December 29 @ 19:17:45 EST
(User Info | Send a Message) | | [www.vanaru.com] [www.vanaru.com] [www.vanaru.com] [www.vanaru.com] [www.vanaru.com] [www.vanaru.com] [www.vanaru.com] [www.vanaru.com] [www.vanaru.com] [www.vanaru.com] [www.vanaru.com] [www.vanaru.com] [www.vanaru.com] [www.vanaru.com] [www.vanaru.com] [www.vanaru.com] [www.vanaru.com] [www.vanaru.com] [www.vanaru.com] [www.vanaru.com] |
|
|
Re: Autism Speaks Intimidates yet another Autistic Blogger - Chilling Effects (Score: 1)
by gabs Thursday, December 11 @ 08:51:56 EST
(User Info | Send a Message | Journal) | | if they have no peeps with any form of Aspergers or autism on the team they have no right to be called autism speaks.
they don't know what it is like to be us and they don't know what we want. what do they really think that we need and want if they don't find out about the real us and just spend their time threatening those of us who want to speak out for ourselves. GO ZAZZLE!! |
|
|
Re: irxt (Score: 1)
by pendolph Tuesday, January 06 @ 18:53:56 EST
(User Info | Send a Message) | | [www.eva-adam.lv] [www.eva-adam.lv] [www.eva-adam.lv] [www.eva-adam.lv] [www.eva-adam.lv] [www.eva-adam.lv] [www.eva-adam.lv] [www.eva-adam.lv] [www.eva-adam.lv] [www.eva-adam.lv] [www.eva-adam.lv] [www.eva-adam.lv] [www.eva-adam.lv] [www.eva-adam.lv] [www.eva-adam.lv] [www.eva-adam.lv] [www.eva-adam.lv] [www.eva-adam.lv] [www.eva-adam.lv] [www.eva-adam.lv] |
|
|
Re: Autism Speaks Intimidates yet another Autistic Blogger - Chilling Effects (Score: 1)
by Differences48 Sunday, September 14 @ 11:19:39 EDT
(User Info | Send a Message) | | I think this exemplifies how when your bring awareness to something, that there are unintended consequences that result from such disclosure. |
|
|
Re: heoiiaqno (Score: 1)
by pendolph Monday, December 29 @ 16:21:20 EST
(User Info | Send a Message) | | [e3s.fis.usal.es] [e3s.fis.usal.es] [e3s.fis.usal.es] [e3s.fis.usal.es] [e3s.fis.usal.es] [e3s.fis.usal.es] [e3s.fis.usal.es] [e3s.fis.usal.es] [e3s.fis.usal.es] [e3s.fis.usal.es] [e3s.fis.usal.es] [e3s.fis.usal.es] [e3s.fis.usal.es] [e3s.fis.usal.es] [e3s.fis.usal.es] [e3s.fis.usal.es] [e3s.fis.usal.es] [e3s.fis.usal.es] [e3s.fis.usal.es] [e3s.fis.usal.es] |
|
|
Re: Autism Speaks Intimidates yet another Autistic Blogger - Chilling Effects (Score: 1)
by morning_after Tuesday, August 26 @ 13:38:58 EDT
(User Info | Send a Message | Journal) | | *sigh* When will they learn?
I honestly would wear that t-shirt
Or one that says "'Autism Speaks' doesn't speak for me"
I would like to know why they are so scared of these people |
|
|
I seen a story about this on p2pnet.net (Score: 1)
by cyberscan Sunday, July 20 @ 23:53:30 EDT
(User Info | Send a Message | Journal) http://www.autismeducationcenter.net | | I seen a story on this very thing on the file sharing news website, p2pnet.net. Autism Barks Orders needs to listen to us who are autistic, because we are the ones living it, and we know how out though processes work. I have an account on A.S. because I want to try to educate people who visit that site and ask for advice. |
|
|
Re: Autism Speaks Intimidates yet another Autistic Blogger - Chilling Effects (Score: 1)
by Josher Thursday, July 17 @ 18:14:26 EDT
(User Info | Send a Message | Journal) | | horrible free speech is whats needed
they are planning to censor anything that goes against their point of view like most evil companies |
|
|
Re: Autism Speaks Intimidates yet another Autistic Blogger - Chilling Effects (Score: 1)
by steveos87 Thursday, June 26 @ 19:29:21 EDT
(User Info | Send a Message) http://myspace.com/steveos312 | | I'm no intellectual property lawyer, but the image shows Autism Speaks in quote marks. From what I know a little, if TM or SM are in quotes, I think its safe harbor in terms of being girl or the printing company getting sued. |
|
|
Re: Autism Speaks Intimidates yet another Autistic Blogger - Chilling Effects (Score: 1)
by roguetech Friday, June 27 @ 13:08:53 EDT
(User Info | Send a Message) | | There is a slightly different version of the shirt available. AutismYour Name Speaks - It's Time To Listen - I have Austism, I can speak for myself.
My guess is that because Autism Speaks was in quotes, they had a problem with it.
http://www.zazzle.com/customizable_your_name_speaks_not_autism_speaks_shirt-235939166047131616
|
|
|
Re: Autism Speaks Intimidates yet another Autistic Blogger - Chilling Effects (Score: 1)
by sistersunshine Tuesday, June 24 @ 16:20:42 EDT
(User Info | Send a Message) http://www.rainbow-websites.com | | ...I think that we should all get together and sue...
I said the same thing in another forum. A class action suit from the Autistic Community at large vs Autism Speaks would really give us a major platform to spread the TRUTH. |
|
|
Re: Autism Speaks Intimidates yet another Autistic Blogger - Chilling Effects (Score: 1)
by CockneyRebel Sunday, June 22 @ 10:50:11 EDT
(User Info | Send a Message | Journal) | | Autism Speaks are intimidated by us, who can speak for ourselves. That's why I hate them. They want to portray all the people on the spectrum, as invalids who ruin things for our perfect family members. I need to wear Depends. So what? I'm looking for a job, my tested IQ is 115, and I speak clearly, and for myself. I think that we should all get together and sue Autism Spoken For, and use that money for our website. Just imagine the sight of 50,000 active members, out of the over 100,000 who've joined WP over the years, in the courtroom, testifying against Autism Silenced. |
|
|
Re: Autism Speaks Intimidates yet another Autistic Blogger - Chilling Effects (Score: 1)
by Sophist Sunday, June 22 @ 12:38:43 EDT
(User Info | Send a Message | Journal) http://asdgestalt.com | | I say we EACH go and design our own "Autism Speaks doesn't speak for me" t-shirt. There'll be so many on the web Autism Speaks won't know where to begin.
::evil grin:: |
|
|
Re: Autism Speaks Intimidates yet another Autistic Blogger - Chilling Effects (Score: 1)
by Vulcan613 Sunday, June 22 @ 20:49:30 EDT
(User Info | Send a Message | Journal) | | Zach should contact the ACLU -- this is a clear violation of the First Amendment. His shirts fall under the category of political protest and freedom of speech. (I'm not a lawyer but I am an old protester. If the ACLU thinks he has a case, they will take it on for FREE. |
|
|
Re: Autism Speaks Intimidates yet another Autistic Blogger - Chilling Effects (Score: 1)
by Bopkasen Monday, June 23 @ 00:53:49 EDT
(User Info | Send a Message) | | If you going to take on Autism Speaks, you must have a lawyer to take them on.
I would determine to do the same for myself.
|
|
|
Re: Autism Speaks Intimidates yet another Autistic Blogger - Chilling Effects (Score: 1)
by SierraBell Monday, June 23 @ 00:56:22 EDT
(User Info | Send a Message) | | AutismSpeaks is just another power hungry organization that thinks they are big stuff because they have been "speaking" for autsim for some time, when really they are no help at all. |
|
|
Re: Autism Speaks Intimidates yet another Autistic Blogger - Chilling Effects (Score: 1)
by Chibi_Neko Saturday, June 21 @ 22:18:14 EDT
(User Info | Send a Message | Journal) http://www.catbasketnetwork.com | | I hope he does get these shirts back on the market.... I want to buy one and parade in front of Autism Speaks headquarters. |
|
|
Re: Autism Speaks Intimidates yet another Autistic Blogger - Chilling Effects (Score: 1)
by regularguy Sunday, June 22 @ 06:14:34 EDT
(User Info | Send a Message) | | Seeing this kind of thing makes me really angry. AspieWeb [www.aspieweb.net] is a great site! Maybe Zach can persuade Zazzle.com to keep his shirts. After all, why should he have to change t-shirt providers just to accommodate Autism Speaks' bullying.
Autism Speaks is creepy, if you ask me. It seems full of the self-righteous, anti-vaccine busybodies that would eliminate people from the planet because they have a condition on the autism spectrum. I really don't like online bullying. |
|
|
Re: Autism Speaks Intimidates yet another Autistic Blogger - Chilling Effects (Score: 1)
by TheZach Saturday, June 21 @ 12:54:16 EDT
(User Info | Send a Message) http://www.thezach.net | | Alex,
Thanks for the coverage and support! |
|
|
Re: Autism Speaks Intimidates yet another Autistic Blogger - Chilling Effects (Score: 1)
by KiyokosOnlyOnigiri Saturday, June 21 @ 17:51:10 EDT
(User Info | Send a Message | Journal) | | Let's hope the guy will actually be able to find another company to print the stuff for him. He deserves better. Just because Autism Speaks has money does not mean they're right.
The US might think so though. ::eyeroll:: |
|
|
Re: Autism Speaks Intimidates yet another Autistic Blogger - Chilling Effects (Score: 1)
by Hodor Saturday, June 21 @ 18:21:09 EDT
(User Info | Send a Message | Journal) | | Could it be that Autism Speaks are intimidated by the fact that autism is daring to speak?
Best of luck to Zach for standing up to the Mafia - hopefully one of the other companies will print your t-shirts. There's no good reason why Zazzle shouldn't, anyway. |
|
|
Re: Autism Speaks Intimidates yet another Autistic Blogger - Chilling Effects (Score: 1)
by ignisfatuus Saturday, June 21 @ 21:56:18 EDT
(User Info | Send a Message) | | Interesting tactics by a group whose founders made the Time Magazine's 100 Most Influential People list and were lauded for their efforts in broadening public awareness of autism. Mention of attempts like this to muzzle opinions from the community were tellingly absent. |
|
|
|
|
|
