Farm Journal answers Blue Book Services in Federal Court
Lenexa, Kan. (Dec. 19, 2018) — Farm Journal yesterday responded to a complaint by Blue Book Services in U.S. District Court, where Blue Book has claimed companies cannot include their Blue Book ratings in their individual Produce Market Guide profile.
Farm Journal’s “motion to dismiss” seeks to have Blue Book’s claim dismissed outright – and states its position to the court that Blue Book’s lawsuit is without merit.
The Packer’s Produce Market Guide, a Farm Journal business, is an open platform that allows companies to create and self-publish their own comprehensive business listing. Empowering companies to tell their own story, the platform facilitates connectivity between buyers, sellers and other business professionals in the produce industry.
Farm Journal’s response to the Blue Book lawsuit opens with an account of Farm Journal’s long-standing history as an ardent advocate and resource for agriculture.
At the core of Farm Journal’s argument is that Blue Book “ … does not own any copyright registration for the individual ratings … ” and that “individual company ratings are not eligible for copyright protection.” Instead, Blue Book’s copyright registrations are for its database of company listings.
Blue Book’s complaint does not allege Farm Journal copied Blue Book’s database. Rather, it alleges Farm Journal has provided a place for, and encouraged, its customers to input their own individual Blue Book ratings on the Produce Market Guide platform.
“We noted to the court that Blue Book’s own customers, who are also our customers, routinely post their own Blue Book ratings on their websites and in advertisements,” said Jeff Pence, Chief Operating Officer for Farm Journal. “We believe that same practice should be available to our customers on the Produce Market Guide platform.”
The “motion to dismiss” cites multiple copyright cases supporting Farm Journal’s position, plus evidence the Copyright Office rejected Blue Book’s attempts to secure copyright protection for individual ratings.
The Packer is a recognized leader in produce news. Under The Packer brand, the Produce Market Guide platform has steadily grown since its launch in October 2017.
About Farm Journal Media
Farm Journal Media is the nation’s leading business information and media company serving the agricultural market. Started 141 years ago with the preeminent Farm Journal magazine, the company serves the row crop, livestock, produce and retail sectors through branded websites, eNewsletters and phone apps; business magazines; live events including conferences, seminars and tradeshows; nationally broadcasted television and radio programs; a robust mobile text marketing business; and an array of data-driven paid information products. Farm Journal Media also is the majority shareholder of the online equipment marketplace, Machinery Pete LLC. In 2010, the Company established the non-profit, public charity Farm Journal Foundation dedicated to sustaining agriculture’s ability to meet the vital needs of a growing population through education and empowerment.
