Ron Walsham: $3000 raised
(theoretical legal threat)
Jayne Powell: $1400 ($AU1895) raised
(very substantial legal costs)
It was good to see how much support Ron Walsham (The HoseMaster of Wine) and Tim Atkin MW received from the wine community when Riedel's lawyers sent them legal letters following the publication of Ron's satirical piece on Tim Atkin's site.
This included tweets, posts on Facebook, blog posts and news items on magazine websites. When the legal threat to Walsham appeared to be still in place and letter to Riedel was organised and as Jancis Robinson mentioned: 'I spent quite a bit of the last 24 hours helping them garner a hugely
impressive list of signatories from around the world to the
still-being-discussed letter.'
All this is in very stark contrast to the pathetic level of support that Jayne Powell (aka ChampagneJayne) has received in response to the appalling, bullying legal action against her by the CIVC (Le Comité Interprofessionnel du vin de Champagne) in the name of Champagne producers and merchants. Even though Jayne Powell has been a very enthusiastic supporter of Champagne, the CIVC brought a federal case against her alleging that by using the name Champagne Jayne, she tarnished the name of Champagne and deceived consumers as she occasionally mentioned other sparkling wines than Champagne.
Bravely deciding to stand up to the Champagne bullies has been personally ruinous for Jayne Powell – she has had to sell her house and is now effectively bankrupted by her legal bills.
Jayne is now in limbo awaiting Justice Jonathon Beach to produce his judgment. Justice Beach is certainly taking his time as the final hearing in this case at the Federal Court in Melbourne was on 13th April 2015 – over four months ago. As far as the CIVC is concerned I assume it doesn't matter how long Justice Beach takes but for Jayne her professional life is on hold – more stress and agony as well as being banned from talking to the media while Beach cogitates. Is this really 'Justice'?
Ron Walsham and Jayne Powell both have fund raising pages for their defence costs. In just seven days Walsham raised $3000 is response to a letter threatening action. In shaming contrast ony $1400 ($AU1895) has been raised towards Jayne's actual legal costs. Jayne's fund raising page remains open here, so not too late to show your support.
Ron Walsham and Jayne Powell both have fund raising pages for their defence costs. In just seven days Walsham raised $3000 is response to a letter threatening action. In shaming contrast ony $1400 ($AU1895) has been raised towards Jayne's actual legal costs. Jayne's fund raising page remains open here, so not too late to show your support.
Why so little support for Jayne Powell?
Because she is a woman?
Because she trademarked ChampagneJayne in Australia?
Some have said that Jayne Powell was asking for trouble when she successfully trademarked her business name – Champagne Jayne? Perhaps but there was no need for the CIVC to initiate a Federal case as they have already registered their opposition to her trademark and this will be heard separately.
Because it is in Australia?
'Earlier this year, the Champagne trade group sued the Australian wine writer Champagne Jayne
because the trade group said she wasn’t entitled to use the word
Champagne. The wine business, and especially my writing colleagues,
could (couldn't?) have cared less. Maybe it was because it was in Australia. Maybe
it was because they didn’t understand the danger. Or maybe they just
didn’t care, because they were too busy doing business with the wine
business.'
Jayne did get some support from writers including:
Antony Rose: She gets a kick from Champagne
Because few want to upset the Champenoise and forgo invitations to Champagne and Champagne events?
b
