Setbacks

Just when I thought we were all set to go …

I’m no longer so dazzled by Zazzle. After printing my first poster prototypes with no problem, they now appear unwilling to print any more. I get an automated response that the computer thinks I’m violating trademark or copyright protections. This isn’t the case, as made sure by working with a leading lawyer in the matter. But Zazzle’s computers cannot be reasoned with, and Zazzle’s computers refuse to let me talk to the man behind the curtain. So that sitution has led me down a path of trying to find another way to make the print graphics available to you, the adoring public. I’m testing a few options, I’ll update here when things are ready to roll.

Raz-ma-taz

Great news on those Zazzle prints. The print quality is terrific, especially on the glossy stock. The size (34×23″) is very good for the price. All of which means we have an easy way to distribute whatever we want to share. I’m not sure how stable Zazzle.com is, how long they’ve been around or whether they’ll be around much longer. But for now Zazzle will be our print service.

I’m working on the finishing touches for our first big poster-sized chart series, which I know you guys are going to dig. More on that later.

For now, we anxiously await word from the Chartball legal team on whether we can actually print these things without attracting MLB lawyers. I’ve read a bit on the applicable law, and I think we’ll be okay. A few years ago a fantasy baseball service tussled with Major League Baseball over whether baseball stats are copyrighted by the league. The fantasy league’s lawyer argued it as a first amendment case, basically saying that these are historical facts. As such they’re public domain. The court found against MLB on every argument. So I tracked down that lawyer and asked him to take a look at what we’re doing, to make sure it’s all clear. He’s looking at it now …

I’ll keep you posted.