Misappropriation of Teaching Methods and Materials

[sb1202]

Hi all,

Please excuse my ignorance if I've posted the wrong topic.

I run a Photography Club where I offer workshops, tutoring and my materials. However, one member who joined my club had an ulterior motive for joining my group. This was to gain access to my materials, my methods and my members with a view to emailing them and setting up his own club. His motives came to light a few months after he joined when he sent an email to all my members stating that my club was closing and that members were to join him in a new club where he would "continue the exciting work of my club".

This email was complete fabrication and came out of the blue. He had absolutely no say or part in my club and he has no expertise or reputation in the field or photography I teach. He steals my ideas and sells them on. He has also sent emails to other photography groups making false claims about my character and my reputation. He is also attempting to sabotage my club by applying for membership under false identities. (I am an IT expert and have firm evidence of this).

So my question is this. Since he clearly stated that his new club carries on my exciting work, does this mean he is passing off on my reputation and expertise to make financial gain? If so, can I sue or invoice him for royalties? My intent would be to invoice him and should he not pay, then pursue him through the small claims court.

Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

[Mr. Knowitall]

You are in what U.S. state, and this other person is in what U.S. state?

I run a Photography Club where I offer workshops, tutoring and my materials. However, one member who joined my club had an ulterior motive for joining my group. This was to gain access to my materials, my methods and my members with a view to emailing them and setting up his own club.

Did this person obtain your materials, then distribute them to others? If so, have you registered a copyright for your materials? Are these materials that you sell, or materials that are free to club members? What economic impact has the unauthorized distribution of the materials had on you and your business enterprise?

He steals my ideas and sells them on.

Ideas aren't subject to copyright. Are we talking about actual materials, or are we talking about ideas?

He has also sent emails to other photography groups making false claims about my character and my reputation.

What economic damages have you suffered as a result of those emails?

He is also attempting to sabotage my club by applying for membership under false identities. (I am an IT expert and have firm evidence of this).

How would his doing that "sabotage" your club?

Since he clearly stated that his new club carries on my exciting work, does this mean he is passing off on my reputation and expertise to make financial gain?

Maybe. On the other hand, he may be merely suggesting that his club takes things to the next level. The details matter.

If so, can I sue or invoice him for royalties? My intent would be to invoice him and should he not pay, then pursue him through the small claims court.

Royalties for what? Ideas?

[sb1202]

Thanks for your reply.

I am in the UK
Yes, our club is online and he accessed my workshop notes (copyrighted) and used them to recreate workshops of his own. These workshops are then advertised at a fee.
Financial losses - many members left my group when they read his email. These were fee paying members.
He is sabotaging my group by registering under fake identities. I advertise events and worskhops online for say 10 people to attend. He registers for a place using a false identity. This "member" does not turn up to the workshop leaving numbers short and depriving genuine members of a place. and me of any fees for that workshop.
He is not taking things to the next level. I very much assure you of that. He has no expertise and this is another reason why he is registering under fake identities - to gain information on my workshops. I have over 30 years and am an expert in my field. He has absolutely no reputation, expertise or testimonials to demonstrate.
Royalties - I was not sure if this was the correct term or not. Anything really to invoice him for. Can I invoice him for anything at all?

If I can't invoice him for "passing off" do I have to sue him?

Thanks again.

[Mr. Knowitall]

If you're in the U.K., as this forum instructed you, we can't help you with your legal issues - this forum discusses U.S. law.

[flyingron]

Try here: http://www.thelawforum.co.uk