Author Topic: Revostock Payments (Read 60300 times)

creactivefx · « **Reply #150 on:** October 27, 2015, 09:34 »

does anybody knows what patent problem he had. was it something with his site, or the conervsion tools on the site ?

CreativeMedias · « **Reply #151 on:** October 27, 2015, 09:37 »

The only information I found is here : newbielink:http://setexasrecord.com/stories/510618089-recent-patent-infringement-cases-filed-in-the-eastern-district-of-texas [nonactive]

Uniloc USA Inc. et al v. Inmagine Corp. et al
Uniloc USA Inc. et al v. Revostock Inc. et al

Uniloc USA Inc. is a Texas corporation having a principal place of business in Irvine, Calif. Uniloc Singapore Private Ltd. is a Singapore corporation.

The defendants are Inmagine Corp. LLC d/b/a Inmagine.com d/b/a Photosubscribe.com d/b/a Imagehit.com d/b/a Inspirestock Inc. d/b/a Inspirestock.com and 123RF Ltd. d/b/a 123RF USA Ltd. d/b/a 123RF.com d/b/a 123Royaltyfree.com d/b/a 123RF.net, Revostock Inc. d/b/a Revostock.com and V.R. Media Resources Inc. d/b/a Revolution Stock Media.

The defendants are accused of infringing on U.S. Patent No. 7,099,849 issued Feb. 6, 1996, for Integrated Media Management and Rights Distribution Apparatus.

Uniloc is asking the court to issue an injunction preventing the defendants from further infringing on the '849 patent and for an award of damages, costs, expenses, attorney's fees and interest.

Andrew P. Tower, Michael J. Collins and Johnathan K. Yazdani of Collins, Edmonds, Pogorzelski, Schlather & Tower in Houston; James L. Etheridge of Etheridge Law Group in Southlake; and T. John Ward Jr. and J. Wesley Hill of Ward & Smith Law Firm in Longview are representing the plaintiffs.

A jury trial is requested.

U.S. District Judge Leonard Davis is assigned to the case.

Case No. 6:12-cv-00093; 6:12-cv-00094

cobalt · « **Reply #152 on:** October 27, 2015, 09:56 »

I lost a business and a huge amount of money to a patent troll once, revostock has my full sympathies. When you are in a patent court case it is often extremely difficult to predict the outcome, I first won the case, then lost one, had to close down the business, but four years later won the original case at a higher court. To late to save the business and unfortunately suing for damages would be extremely difficult and too expensive and also take around 8 years.

I understand everyone is upset they lost their money, no question about that. But for me this is not like they ran off with their money to Hawai and spent their lives on a yacht smoking cigars while robbing you off your money.

Court cases and patent trolls are a very unfortunate part of business life that can hit any company, no matter how good your own patents are and even if you are completely innocent. The costs of these court cases alone can drive you into bankrupcy.

It is a genuine business risk that all companies have to live with and I don´t think we as suppliers can prevent it. Maybe not leave so much money in your account and don´t upload if you don´t get paid on time. Not being paid on time is a clear indicator something is seriously wrong.

I hope you can all get at least part of your money back.

fotomine · « **Reply #153 on:** October 27, 2015, 10:22 »

There are a lot of "If's", "what's" and "when's" being mentioned here and I'm a bystander with no stake. It's difficult for me to watch this happen before our eyes and "I've been there" with a global conglomerate that owed billions. When they filed for chapter 11, my company was very far down the list in a mountain of creditors.

I think it's essential that one of you who are owed money begin an action where the rest can join in like a class action or at least talk to the attorneys who are already mentioned above and have knowledge. The sooner this gets going, the better for the lot. If the business is for sale and many of you are creditors, then a strategy could be that the assets (or company) be turned over to a "coalition" of contributors who take over operations. After all, the company seems to have had a substantial list of customers who were buying up until the last day (and a loyal group of contributors).

Imagine the possibilities.

s9motion · « **Reply #154 on:** October 29, 2015, 12:10 »

Quote from: RevoStock1 on August 18, 2014, 00:59

Hi Friends!

It's Craig, RevoStock Founder/CEO. I apologize that I am just responding to this. Thankfully a couple of our kind Revo producers made me aware of this thread so I could address it.

I have to admit I was a little surprised to see it as I am very serious about communication, and any helpdesk ticket ,especially related to payments, is almost always swiftly answered. I definitely encourage anyone who ever has concerns about any issue related to our site to send us a helpdesk ticket first. You will be answered quickly and graciously.

I have been outspoken about our Patent Troll lawsuit and the effect it had on our small self-funded/bootstrapped company. I assure you, Patent Trolls suck and if you aren't aware of the damage they are doing to small businesses like ours, please read my post.

newbielink:http://www.revostock.com/Blog/189/Troll-Survival-RevoStocks-Patent-Troll-Lawsuit-Story.htm [nonactive]

After about 2 years, this lawsuit was finally dismissed. A bittersweet victory for us.

The residual effects of the lawsuit did require us to begin delaying some payments right around the time the lawsuit was dismissed. However, there was full communication via our Producer News and emails/helpdesk. Thankfully we had enormous and heartwarming support from our Producers allowing us to start coming back from the "Patent Troll" years. It has allowed us to re-group and move forward.

In fact, we have a new Revo coming out this very week! New features and innovations I think our producers and customers will love! Get ready!

So, if you ever have any concerns at all about payments or anything else, please check our Producer News or contact us via our helpdesk. I personally would love to help you!

Craig

Hi Craig,

Could you please provide some informations ?
Non paid amount > 6000$

goseeit · « **Reply #155 on:** October 29, 2015, 16:39 »

I wish I could blame all my problems on patent trolls. Oh can't pay my mortage must be the patent trolls. Geesh where do some of you pinheads come from?

PeterChigmaroff · « **Reply #156 on:** October 29, 2015, 18:31 »

I see a lot of fairly big numbers. The amount unpaid must be in the many 10s of thousands.

Noedelhap · « **Reply #157 on:** October 29, 2015, 19:43 »

Quote from: goseeit on October 29, 2015, 16:39

I wish I could blame all my problems on patent trolls. Oh can't pay my mortage must be the patent trolls. Geesh where do some of you pinheads come from?

Exactly, it's not the patent trolls, it's the mistake (or crime, whatever you want to call it) of using contributors' money to cover the costs of the lawsuit. So those who defend Revostock/Craig, stop feeling sorry for him or his business. Actually, I'm surprised the affected contributors are not taking any action against this.

cobalt · « **Reply #158 on:** October 29, 2015, 20:30 »

Agencies and companies have lawsuits all the time. They sue customers who don´t pay, have court cases with competitors, with disgruntled employees etc...It is a normal part of the business.

Defending themselves against a patent troll is just very extremly more expensive. But if the case was eventually dismissed, then obviously revostock did nothing wrong. But they still have costs. They cannot decide not to defend themselves if they are attacked, you cannot say "not interested in the court case, please sue someone else instead". If you don´t defend yourself, you automatically lose. Which is why patent cases are a popular tool in business wars to destroy small companies or force them to sell cheaply to a rival.

Assuming, the patent troll case really existed, but people report they always felt they could work well with revostock and court results are usually published somewhere.

If there is a legal requirement to handle contributor royalties differently to payment of wages, marketing costs etc...or if there is a special legal preference for money owed contributors, then maybe it should have been handled differently, I don´t know, I am not a lawyer.

But I guess then revostock should have just closed down much sooner.

Maybe the company can be sold to someone else. If so many artists lost so much money, then the business itself must have some value or be interesting for someone.

Perhaps there is somebody reading here who can step in and take over.

CreativeMedias · « **Reply #159 on:** October 30, 2015, 05:16 »

The problem is that Craig has shut down his email and it is impossible to discuss with him right now. I don't think they are looking to sell anything otherwise they should be open to discuss and communicate easily about their company. When Stockeon closed last year, at least I was able to discuss with Szymon about invest in the infrastructure and/or the content. (also Szymon paid everyone before he closed the website, which was very honest and serious)

Mantis · « **Reply #160 on:** October 30, 2015, 07:55 »

Quote from: CreativeMedias on October 30, 2015, 05:16

The problem is that Craig has shut down his email and it is impossible to discuss with him right now. I don't think they are looking to sell anything otherwise they should be open to discuss and communicate easily about their company. When Stockeon closed last year, at least I was able to discuss with Szymon about invest in the infrastructure and/or the content. (also Szymon paid everyone before he closed the website, which was very honest and serious)

Craig intentionally misled contributors to use their commissions for his own benefit. He knew he would never repay that debt. He has closed any way of contacting him without going through a lawyer to do it for you. I have no compunction for him simply based on the way he chose to use his suppliers to fund his legal woes.

And I want to reiterate, this is a HARD BUSINESS to make a living, let along as a side income. So for those of you who lost so much my sincere condolences. There is one thing I have learned, though, from this REVO experience. I am going to cash out each month on all sites instead of letting some of the money go for a while. It will minimize my losses should that agency stay open but stop paying, or close without a moments notice and not pay their contributors.

goseeit · « **Reply #161 on:** October 30, 2015, 09:24 »

Quote from: CreativeMedias on October 30, 2015, 05:16

The problem is that Craig has shut down his email and it is impossible to discuss with him right now. I don't think they are looking to sell anything otherwise they should be open to discuss and communicate easily about their company. When Stockeon closed last year, at least I was able to discuss with Szymon about invest in the infrastructure and/or the content. (also Szymon paid everyone before he closed the website, which was very honest and serious)

Yep looks like he shut down everything including facebook, twitter. Although there is still a video of him posted doing stand up comedy which is awful btw. He must think all of this is a big joke. Oh I forgot it's all the patent trolls fault. Now that's comedy. LOL

increasingdifficulty · « **Reply #162 on:** October 30, 2015, 10:13 »

The lawsuit happened a long time ago now. He said himself that at least this year OUR money was spent on "new marketing methods", going to forums etc., not covering legal fees. I think he was an honest guy but kind of broke down and panicked. Made some horrible decisions involving stealing other people's money. I think he's going to have a tough time now since he's not really anonymous, anyone can message him on Facebook etc.

Pixart · « **Reply #163 on:** October 30, 2015, 15:28 »

In case anyone wants to comment on this story about how in the end he stole your money.

http://www.redsharknews.com/business/item/1673-opinion-the-worst-email-i-have-ever-recieved-the-perils-of-patent-trolls

cobalt · « **Reply #164 on:** October 30, 2015, 23:13 »

That is a very real life experience in how patent troll cases kill companies. Anyone doing even the smallest software or hardware project is vulnerable. It is a legal form of extortion and just sucks all your time, energy and joy out of having your own business.

If he took on loans to defend the business and then had some bad luck afterwards, it can destroy a company very quickly.

Maybe he also made bad business decisions or even commited intentional fraud like some here are suggesting, who knows.

But I wouldn't be surprised if the after effects broke the place. Attorneys cost 600 dollars an hour, it can take many,many years to pay it all back.

Not every company has a million dollars stached in a corner somewhere, just in case a patent troll shows up.

jamesbenet · « **Reply #165 on:** October 31, 2015, 03:39 »

If we are not getting paid could we at least declare it as a loss in business income as in a tax loss credit? That could work out.

But we would need Revostock to file some forms to us for the IRS so we could use them in case of an audit. A tax credit is a good way to use this unfortunate situation.

Pixart · « **Reply #166 on:** October 31, 2015, 14:49 »

Quote from: cobalt on October 30, 2015, 23:13

Not every company has a million dollars stached in a corner somewhere, just in case a patent troll shows up.

I'm not sure how every company would have the ability to steal money from hundreds of people and get away with it without going to jail either. He took his rightful 50% he took the artists 50% - because in the Wild West of the Internet, there are no systems in place to protect anyone. Who knows what he really got out of it. It would be very easy to take YOUR money and hide it in motor bikes, yachts and vacation homes before he closed his doors. He should be liable to SOMEONE. It's lovely for him that he can live under the electronic cloak of invisibility. If he owned a brick and mortar store and stole his employee's wages he would be front page news.

I'm human, I feel for this guy. But still, he stole from other people that I feel sorry for too. One person commented they lost $13,000! I could feed my family for 2 years with that amount of money!

Remember Lucky Oliver? They closed up shop and paid us our due. I'm still a friend of Brian's on Facebook. He doesn't have to hide his head in the sand or feel bad because he didn't rip anyone off (that I know of).

"We" should only be doing business with reps who put "our" earnings into a trust account. This is another example of why we really need to become a part of an artists collective and have a Union to tell the agents what they can and can't do.

Justanotherphotographer · « **Reply #167 on:** October 31, 2015, 15:25 »

Sorry. Just saw info I was going to post already in the thread

banna · « **Reply #168 on:** November 01, 2015, 08:35 »

Anyone sue him?

Phadrea · « **Reply #169 on:** November 02, 2015, 01:56 »

What about the fact that he has our audio and footage ? Could he set himself up again as an artist with all this work and sell it ?

I am trying to get my head around what a patent troll is. I still don't understand it.

Justanotherphotographer · « **Reply #170 on:** November 02, 2015, 05:04 »

I can't believe that you can just decide not to pay your suppliers and walk away from a business without being bankrupt. If that was possible couldn't someone just pay themselves a wage equal to all the money owed to the contributors over the last year (or however long it's been since a payout) then call it quits? That could be a million dollars for all we know. There has to be a way to force the company to get in auditors, assess assets and pay what can be paid, surely?

Justanotherphotographer · « **Reply #171 on:** November 02, 2015, 05:08 »

http://bankruptcy.cooley.com/2012/05/articles/business-bankruptcy-issues/forced-into-bankruptcy-the-involuntary-bankruptcy-process/

Justanotherphotographer · « **Reply #172 on:** November 02, 2015, 05:11 »

oops the article was from the UK

increasingdifficulty · « **Reply #173 on:** November 02, 2015, 05:24 »

Quote from: Herg on November 02, 2015, 01:56

What about the fact that he has our audio and footage ? Could he set himself up again as an artist with all this work and sell it ?

Obviously not legally. He doesn't own any of the footage/music.

Quote from: Herg on November 02, 2015, 01:56

I am trying to get my head around what a patent troll is. I still don't understand it.

It is simply a borderline criminal who has as their business model to sue other companies for made-up patent issues.

CreativeMedias · « **Reply #174 on:** November 09, 2015, 16:54 »

If anyone want to contact Craig, you can try to contact him using Linkedin and Facebook account ( newbielink:https://www.linkedin.com/in/craig-lillard-884b3551 [nonactive] and newbielink:https://www.facebook.com/craig.lillard [nonactive] )

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Author Topic: Revostock Payments (Read 60300 times)

creactivefx

CreativeMedias

cobalt

fotomine

s9motion

goseeit

PeterChigmaroff

Noedelhap

cobalt

CreativeMedias

Mantis

goseeit

increasingdifficulty

Pixart

cobalt

jamesbenet

Pixart

Justanotherphotographer

banna

Phadrea

Justanotherphotographer

Justanotherphotographer

Justanotherphotographer

increasingdifficulty

CreativeMedias

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