June 18, 2009
Posted: June 18th, 2009 04:25 PM ET

From
Corzine is facing a tough re-election battle in New Jersey this year.
Corzine is facing a tough re-election battle in New Jersey this year.

WASHINGTON (CNN) – The New York Times is calling on the Republican Governors Association to take down a Web site devoted to attacking New Jersey governor Jon Corzine.

Why? According to a cease and desist letter from the New York Times' legal department, the RGA's "Corzine Times" Web site - which links to articles critical of the Democratic governor's tumultuous tenure - is a carbon copy of of the newspaper's own Web site.

"Such copying is a clear infringement of The Times's rights under the Copyright Act of 1976 and falsely suggests, in violation of the Lanham Act, that the Times has sponsored or is otherwise associated with your website," wrote Times employee Deborah Beshaw in the letter, which was sent on Wednesday. She said the fonts and layout if the site are clearly designed to mimic nytimes.com.

The Times wrote that if the Republican group fails to remove the current version of the site within three days, the paper "will have no choice but to pursue all available legal remedies."

The RGA was apparently eager to highlight the legal appeal: they posted a link to the letter at the top of the anti-Corzine Web site. And Mike Schrimpf, a spokesman for the RGA, took a swipe at both Corzine and the paper.

"It's amusing to see The Gray Lady standing up for The Gray Beard, but we were hoping the Times would send a cease and desist notice to Corzine telling him not to hike taxes by another $1 billion," Schrimpf said in a statement.

Republicans are hopeful that former U.S. Attorney Chris Christie will be able to knock off Corzine this November.

Filed under: Chris Christie • Jon Corzine • New Jersey • The New York Times


mypitts2   June 18th, 2009 5:55 pm ET

"It’s amazing how Republicans, who bleat on about protecting the private sector, ignore the right of the NYT to protect their intellectual property (in this case, a web design)."

It's not really that amazing. It's simply blind partisanship. For many people, supporting parties is no different from supporting a football team.

GOP = 21st century dodo   June 18th, 2009 5:55 pm ET

@ sifto77

Have you checked outside your window to make sure BHO and the MSM haven't send black helicopters to your house?

Champly   June 18th, 2009 5:52 pm ET

There is a story on a non-government news site that reports that Barbara Boxer chastised a military man for calling her "ma'am" .

That shows the filthy arrogance that the Obomots have. And their hate of the military. And does Babs Boxer ever brush her teeth ?

matt   June 18th, 2009 5:52 pm ET

I can't believe CNN already cut-off comments on the War Spending Bill and Cash for Clunkers. What's the matter...afraid of the truth??

I'm surprised no one is taking about this little factoid...CASH FOR CLUNKERS IS PORK! Where is the outrage about more pork being added to even more spending bills? Where will the outrage be when NObama signs this pig of a bill? Certainly not on CNN.

And for all of the Demwits out there, here is a question....where do you suppose the money is coming from to pay people for their clunkers? No matter how much the car is worth, the government is going to hand out $3,500 to $4,000 per car. WHERE IS THAT MONEY COMING FROM?

Don't you people question anything?

Jon   June 18th, 2009 5:50 pm ET

The New York Times need not worry that anyone will mistake it for a real newspaper anymore. I did finally find a good use for The Times however, although it did cause some chafing. Happy bankruptcy.

sifto77   June 18th, 2009 5:45 pm ET

To GOP 20th century dodo–and you should look at BO's slim margin of victory against McCain–the popular vote is what the American people really want–if not for the dem-caused economic meltdown–McCain would have won hands down. And–BO only beat out Hilary Clinton because of fraudulent caucuses and ACORN. BO is having a little trouble now with credibility as he is willing to sit on the fence with almost everything–because he likes to swat flies and talk nicely to his teleprompter. Even CNN is starting to let a few my many postings go through. They do not want to look silly when Obama goes down.Bush is over–he can say what he wants–he only disaproves of BO's policies–not your hero's persona–so, relax.

weequahic68   June 18th, 2009 5:44 pm ET

Obama may have won 52% to 48%, but Bush actually LOST the popular vote in 2000. Now lets check the EC and wah lah looks like a large Obama victory to me!!!!!!!!!!!

matt   June 18th, 2009 5:40 pm ET

Moe in NY wrote....Laws do no apply to Republicans/Conservatives, just to everyone else. Nasty, nasty people….those of the do as I say, not what I do mentality....

That's not at all like those pesky Dems/Libs that just flat out didn't pay their taxes....huh?

makesUwonder   June 18th, 2009 5:40 pm ET

Oh, boo hoo New York Times!

Champly   June 18th, 2009 5:39 pm ET

Dear Peoples Voice – the GOP can't come up with ideas of its own ? Barack and Michelle Obama has taken their ques from the Marxist Alinsky's play book, point by point. They don't seem to have ideas of their own, just those of a bloodthirsty Marxist.

Carmen, Miami FL   June 18th, 2009 5:37 pm ET

Some idiots talking about freedom of speech first need to actually read the constitution, and then need to read up on copyright laws. The website was using protected content, the layout of the Times’ website, as their own. It’s really that simple.

It’s amazing how Republicans, who bleat on about protecting the private sector, ignore the right of the NYT to protect their intellectual property (in this case, a web design).

Tulsa   June 18th, 2009 5:35 pm ET

Just another example of Republicans having NO ORIGINAL THOUGHTS.
They have to copy someone else because they are devoid of their own ideas. (once you get past cut taxes that is)

Champly   June 18th, 2009 5:35 pm ET

Dearest sara – you are pure Obamist. You are such a sad individual.

I predict we will have to take it to the streets before the 2012 elections. The fascist in the White House is in a Castro style consolidation mode. But with a country as big as ours, and communication so easy, he will not be able accomplish his Marxist goals without a military sytle crackdown. Most of the people in this country will not roll over and submit.

Hey   June 18th, 2009 5:34 pm ET

Phoenix 86 . . . is 52% about the number that did NOT vote for Bush in 2000? Yet he invaded a sovereign nation with no mandate. Get over yourself.

Predictable   June 18th, 2009 5:33 pm ET

I wonder if any Republicans actually even check the definition of words such as "liberal" or "socialism"before they repeat what Rush, Hannity, or O'Rally say? If they did they might realize just how stupid FAUX NEWS, The GOP, & the right wing really is.

GOP = 21st century dodo   June 18th, 2009 5:30 pm ET

@Me in Big D-

Look at George Bush's margin of victory in the 2000 and 2004 elections, compare that to Obama's margin of victory, then get back to me.

Champly   June 18th, 2009 5:30 pm ET

Why has CNN said NOTHING about the firing of the IG at Americorp ? It is headlining all of the non-government news sites.

Fritz6288   June 18th, 2009 5:28 pm ET

Last I checked the fundamental basis behind the Copyright and Plagiarism laws was the actual text being printed, not the font and format. If the format was going to be under question, we should not all have access to same sets of fonts that come with every word processing program. NYT is just a little bitter

GOP = 21st century dodo   June 18th, 2009 5:27 pm ET

Freedom of Speech!!!!

Freedom of speech means that the government won't try to censor you. Here we have one organization (RGA) plagiarizing another (NYT). Two completely unrelated things.

Me in Big D   June 18th, 2009 5:26 pm ET

@Sara – what dream world do you live in? Nobama did NOT win by a large margin!

Mississippi Mike   June 18th, 2009 5:25 pm ET

Boo-hoo. The Times is the target of a parody. Get over it.

Peoples Voice   June 18th, 2009 5:19 pm ET

The GOP just can't come up with their own ideas. They have to copy things because of how stupid they are. Can you say, "LOSERS".

Me in Big D   June 18th, 2009 5:19 pm ET

Hahahahaha – like the NYT's knows how to tell the truth!!!! What a crock.

Jon   June 18th, 2009 5:17 pm ET

The liberal media, the liberal media!! Oh noes!!!

Everyone wants a scapegoat.

phoenix86   June 18th, 2009 5:17 pm ET

Dear Predictable:

You certainly are. Check percentages, that's what matters. Obama won 52% to 48%. Not a mandate except in YOUR mind.

skyhawkdriver   June 18th, 2009 5:15 pm ET

The new york times,as well as the lousy boston globe that it owns,are dying a slow painful death..when all you can fill your pages with are lies and articles that read like they were written by 6 year olds you deserve to close your doors..and to think all you can figure out to do is raise your rates..good riddence..and take corzine with you

Predictable   June 18th, 2009 5:10 pm ET

"@ Sara: Check your facts. Obama did not win by a large margin"

Hey Anus McDugin,

Last time I checked 7,673,195 people is A LOT of people.
I think that the populaton of the country of Israel or Switzerland or Serbia, or Bulgaria, or El Salvador is a pretty LARGE NUMBER of people, what do you think Agnus?

Ken   June 18th, 2009 5:10 pm ET

What is wrong? The New York Times afraid of FREE SPEECH?

TTBALA   June 18th, 2009 5:07 pm ET

@ Abgus Mcdugan

You need to check your facts if you know how to read that is, Obama won by a landslide do you know the meaning of Landslide!!!!!!!!!!!!!
and CNN you better post this nore!!!!

Ken   June 18th, 2009 5:05 pm ET

Wow, the neo-morons are out in force on this one! But I agree with them: the NYT should let it go. The NYT should know that the remnant GOPers don't have a brain between them. So for the GOP to pretend to do or say anything, they need to copy and plagiarize. It is at the very core of the [R]ightwing party's philosophy: just say 'no', and repeat the proven failure of 8 years of Bush and 12 years of Congressional [R] majority. The rightwing hasn't had an original thought since Himmler died......and that lack of basic human creativity is at the very degenerative core of the concept of "conservative", i.e. keep things as the are....stagnant, no origninal thought, the best of mankind always appears somewhere in the past. That people not only celebrate this kind of degenerative existence, but they actually seek it out to vote for it says alot about the pathetic state of the [R] party, controlled as it is by the rightwing underbelly of this nation.

phoenix86   June 18th, 2009 5:04 pm ET

The Corzine Times is factual, whereas the NY Times is mostly fictional. Also, isn't the NY Times now part of the DNC?

Seriously . . .   June 18th, 2009 5:02 pm ET

CNN would do the same–anyone would. I got a cease and desist email for a college architecture website from another college. It's called copyright infringement . . . but leave it to right wingers to assume it's some sort of conspiracy. Pathetic.

Sniffit   June 18th, 2009 5:01 pm ET

this is just all around strange

Moe NY   June 18th, 2009 5:01 pm ET

Laws do no apply to Republicans/Conservatives, just to everyone else. Nasty, nasty people....those of the do as I say, not what I do mentality. I for one, would believe the NYT any day over a Republican/Conservative.

Paul from Phoenix   June 18th, 2009 5:00 pm ET

Bubba,

I try to only post under this name, but sometimes CNN erases my posts, or I can't see mine. THen, i change. Believe me, it is a pain in the arse.

JonDie   June 18th, 2009 4:57 pm ET

Plagiarism. The GOP can't even bother to write its own articles, or pay for the articles it has stolen from the NYT.

Mike   June 18th, 2009 4:56 pm ET

To those who hating on the NYT, I bet you also think Fox news is 100% fair and Bill O'Reilly is an intellectual who never lies.

Who cares what you think? Wait a minute, you don't have that ability anyway.

Angus McDugan   June 18th, 2009 4:56 pm ET

@ Sara: Check your facts. Obama did not win by a large margin.

Bubba   June 18th, 2009 4:55 pm ET

Paul, if you were 'keeping it real,' you wouldn't have posted under all those different names. You do realize we can see who you are, don't you?

Dee, NJ   June 18th, 2009 4:54 pm ET

I'm a Jersey Voter, there is 1 Gov in NJ, you GOP Gov's call Steele to help your Win or cry!

Bubba   June 18th, 2009 4:53 pm ET

Republicans will steal anything, file off the serial numbers, and claim it was theirs all along.

Dont blame me   June 18th, 2009 4:53 pm ET

Nobody confuses the NYT with any REAL news anyway.

J in NJ   June 18th, 2009 4:52 pm ET

Bye, Bye Johnny!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! What a joke the NYT complaining about copyright and plagiarism.

sara   June 18th, 2009 4:49 pm ET

Josh from Tennessee........ America believes in Democracy...... and I doubt if anyone could have "run" Obama anywhere. He won the election by a large margin. So please clarify.

Throw out all incumbents   June 18th, 2009 4:49 pm ET

good Times.... good Times.....

ray ray   June 18th, 2009 4:47 pm ET

Since when did the NY Times care about honesty, decency, or fair reporting???

They sound like NY Crybabies.

VL- Chicago   June 18th, 2009 4:46 pm ET

awful newspaper. NY Times is the most tainted mainstream publication. it's a liberal rag. Krugman should be deported

Bob in Pa   June 18th, 2009 4:37 pm ET

Yes, Copyright and Plagiarism. Something the NYT knows all too much about. hahaha!

Josh from Knoxville, TN   June 18th, 2009 4:36 pm ET

Maybe we should've took it to the streets back in November.... perhaps we could've run Obama off like they are doing in Iran.

Johio   June 18th, 2009 4:36 pm ET

Apparently, the Republican Governors' Association thinks they are above the law. How typical. This is similar to the several Republican campaigns last fall that used various artists' music without their permission. Instead of doing what's right and ceasing the copyright infringement, they portray the newspaper's attempt at protecting their intellectual property as support for the Governor. Pathetic.

David   June 18th, 2009 4:35 pm ET

This is very typical republican behavior. The NYTimes should hammer them massively.

Dutch/Bad Newz, VA   June 18th, 2009 4:35 pm ET

You republicans keep messing with Corzine all you want. When he puts a hit out on you, watch out!

G   June 18th, 2009 4:35 pm ET

Freedom of Speech!!!!

Ironic that the New York Times would criticize this website for spreading the word about this lousy Governor after it has had several scandal related to fabricated stories and liberal bias. Hopefully the NYT will simply go bankrupt and get purchased by someone who can bring more integrity an less bias to that so-called news agency.

I used to get an NYT subscription, now reading it's political and business coverage makes me so sick I haven't seen a copy in over a year.

Dan   June 18th, 2009 4:33 pm ET

Would they do it for a Republican, these liberal media? (Would CNN?)

Obama Fan   June 18th, 2009 4:33 pm ET

LOL!!! The New York Times is a joke now!! Just keeping it real!

Paul from Phoenix   June 18th, 2009 4:31 pm ET

LOL!!!! The Times just got played! I just went to the Corzine Times website, as i bet lots of people did. Pretty innovative by the RGA. About time someone did something worthwhile at the party.

Even if the RGA has to settle, this put attention on Corzine's incompetence as governor.

Brian in AZ   June 18th, 2009 4:31 pm ET

Come on New York Times, nobody would ever really confuse you with the "Corzine Times".

"Corzine Times"' stories aren't made up.

haha   June 18th, 2009 4:30 pm ET

shut up liberal newspaper

bsmith171   June 18th, 2009 4:26 pm ET

NYT cease publication or fire draft dodger sulzberger and oli tycoon scion keller.

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