It was a simple email with a simple request but it unleashed a firestorm of controversy. Believe me all I wanted to do was to promote a pizza show on my website and in my newsletter. After all, I have a highly targeted list of rabid pizza fans.
Let me explain...
I had heard that Chef Bobby Flay of The Food Channel, would be going head to head with a famous pizzaiolo. He called it a "Throwdown with Bobby Flay". He featured Giorgio Giove the reputed pizza king at Brother's Pizzeria in Staten Island. Both chefs would make pizzas. Both would be judged by a non-biased judge.
What a great idea, I thought. I would write a feature article about the "Throw-down " and feature it in an edition of "Pizza News", my on-line ezine. (Subscribe by going to http://pizzatherapy.com).
Here is my email to The Food Channel:
My name is Albert Grande of pizzatherapy.com
I understand Bobby Flay will be doing an upcoming show about pizza, where does a Throwdown with a pizzaiolo.
I would really like to feature information about this episode in an upcoming newsletter (Albert Grande's Pizza News) and at pizzatherapy.com If you you have a press kit or other info you can give me about the episode, I would be happy to promote it at my website pizzatherapy.com and in an upcoming issue of Albert Grande's Pizza News.
pizza on earth,
The Food Channel Replied:
Thank you again for contacting us. Food Network (www. foodnetwork.com) is a unique lifestyle network and web site that strives to surprise and engage its viewers. The network is committed to exploring new, different, and interesting ways to approach food through pop culture, adventure, and travel while also expanding its repertoire of technique-based information.
In response to your inquiry, all materials on this site, including, but not limited to, images, text, illustrations, audio clips, video clips (the "Materials") are protected by copyrights which are owned or licensed by the Company, or otherwise used with permission by the Company. FOOD NETWORK, FOODNETWORK.COM, FOODTV.COM, FOODBYTES, and TVFN are trademarks of the Company.
You may not reproduce, perform, create derivative works from, republish, upload, post, transmit, or distribute in any way whatsoever any Materials from www. foodnetwork.com or http://www.foodtv.com/ or any other website owned or operated by the Company.
We appreciate your interest in Food Network and all of the information we have to offer at our web site, http://www.foodnetwork/. com.
Best regards, Customer Services, Scripps Networks Interactive Food Network
Thank you for watching the Food Network.
My response:
No problem. I would never use any of your material at all. I thought you might like to get some free publicity. I just offered to help promote some of your shows.
There would be no cost to you and I would not use any of your material, logo etc. etc.
I promote pizza. If you are ever interested in letting me help to promote any pizza features, please let me know. The offer is there. Free publicity could increase your customer base. This would not cost you anything.
Perhap you should forward my offer to your promotions department, because you guys in customer service do not understand. Thanks so much for your consideration. pizza on earth, Albert Grande
Pizza Promotions
pizzatherapy.com
So there you have it. I simply wanted to feature a story about one of their progams on my website and newsletter.
All of a sudden, I am being accused of copyright infringement.
Here is the fnny thing: several years ago, the Food Channel was doing a story on Pizza Festivals. I was happy to provide them with all of the information they wanted.
I guess The Food Network is just to important to bother with a "little guy".
All I wanted to do was to help promote a TV show about pizza...
Go figure...
