It has come to my attention that someone named Richard Neuman of Skokie, IL, video-taped the 2003 Chicago Poetry Fest without permission, and that he has sold this footage (a segment of J. J. Jameson) to several television stations for well over $1000. You might have seen the footage on tv--it was the one where JJ Jameson (aka, Norman Porter) was reading at Truman College. I as the organizer (and of course Jameson as the artist) hold the copyright to this performance.

He did not give credit to the poetry fest to the television stations. He refuses to share his profits with ChicagoPoetry.com, the sponsor of the poetry fest. He's not even giving J. J. Jameson a share of his greedy profits for Jameson's defense fund.

It is probable this thief has attended other poetry, theater and art events in Chicago and that he has an archive of art related material that he has been profitting by. When I disputed his right to sell footage of my own show, he argued something to the effect that he does it all the time.

When I finally tracked this guy down and called him, he insinuated that I don't have rights to my own show, that he has the rights to it and that
he'll sell it to whoever he likes.

BEWARE THIS ART THIEF. BEWARE THE POETRY VIDEO THIEF.

If you were in the Chicago Poetry Fest or you think this guy might have recorded you without your permission, you should contact him and inform
him in advance that he does not own the rights to your art. Please also tell him what you think of him profiting off the Jameson arrest and off of the Chicago Poetry Fest.

It is unbelievable that this rich guy out in Skokie is taking advantage of the poor artists in Chicago, but this is the case. Contact him at:

Richard Neuman
8446 Central Park
Skokie, IL 60076

847-675-5401