Yep...in Tulsa, Oklahoma, the BatesLine blog is being threatened with legal action for, get this, excerpting and linking to stories in the Tulsa World newspaper.

Here is the text of the warning letter:

Dear Mr. Bates:

I am writing on behalf of World Publishing Company, publisher of the Tulsa World. We have recently learned that your website, www.Batesline.com, has reproduced (in whole or in part) articles and/or editorials from the Tulsa World newspaper or has inappropriately linked your website to Tulsa World content.

The Tulsa World copyrights its entire newspaper and specifically each of the articles and/or editorials at issue. The reproduction of any articles and/or editorials (in whole or in part) on your website or linking your website to Tulsa World content is without the permission of the Tulsa World and constitutes an intentional infringement of the Tulsa World's copyright and other rights to the exclusive use and distribution of the copyrighted materials.

Therefore, we hereby demand that you immediately remove any Tulsa World material from your website, to include unauthorizedlinks to our website, and cease and desist from any further use or dissemination of our copyrighted content. If you desire to use (in whole or in part) any of the content of our newspaper, you must first obtain written permission before that use. If you fail to comply with his demand, the Tulsa World will take whatever legal action is necessary to assure compliance, Additionally, we will pursue all other legal remedies, including seeking damages that may have resulted as a result of this infringement.

We look forward to your immediate response and cooperation in this matter. Please acknowledge your compliance by signing below and returning to me.

Sincerely,

(signed)
John R. Bair
Vice-President [sic]
Tulsa World

What a jagoff.

Here is a link to the contact information of the World Publishing Company.

World Publishing Company
(USPS 643-900)
315 S. Boulder
Tulsa, Oklahoma 74103
(918) 583-2161

Oh lookee what done. Now I suppose they can threaten me with legal action as well. The e-mail address simply directs to their webmaster, so if you have something to say on the matter, I'd suggest a phone call or a written letter.

Oh, and if you wanted to link to their site, who am I to stop you?

So is there anything to their claims of violation of fair use? In a word, No.