Freecycle

[biffvernon]

There has just been a major breakdown in relations between the UK organization of Freecycle and the American director and trademark owner, Deron Beal. Despite strenuous efforts to resolve differences recently, the UK Director, Neil Morris was sacked by Deron Beal yesterday. It looks as though an irreconcilable break will now occur with the UK groups going their own way. There is much discussion this morning about rebranding and a new name for the new UK organization.

Dicussion at Independent Association of Freecycle(R) Moderators - UK. Yahoo Group: http://uk.groups.yahoo.com/group/IAFCMods/

 

[Moo]

Oh dear. Why can't the children learn to play nicely together?

 

[biffvernon]

Because one big boy wants to steal everybody's sweeties.

 

[Moo]

Things don't change, do they?

 

[Pford75]

What a shame.

Any idea on the detail behind the problem?

 

[biffvernon]

Yes.
This seems to be a good summary of the recent turn of events:
http://freecycling.wordpress.com/2009/09/09/calling-all-uk-groups-to-disassociate-themselves-from-tfn/

 

[FamilyWiggs]

Oh dear - shall I choose Continuity Freecycle, or the Real Freecycle?

I can't believe people can fall out over something voluntary and as essentially generous as Freecycle. In terms of the Deron chap who owns the trademark, is he trying to make money from it?

 

[biffvernon]

It has been alleged that some six-figure dollar payments have been made by the main US sponsor, Waste Management Inc. to the directors of Freecycle, i.e. Deron Beal, his wife and his friend. There is a certain lack of transparency over just what has happened to this money. There is a world wide potential for cash generation from local authorities, etc. awarding credit to organizations that prevent stuff going to landfill. This may account for Beal's strenuous defence of the trademark on Freecycle. Others have suggested he has just become a megalomaniac for whom absolute power has corrupted absolutely. But I wouldn't know about that.

 

[biffvernon]

http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/green-living-blog/2009/sep/10/uk-freecycle-us-network

 

[biffvernon]

New name for new network has been voted for:

Freegle

 

[Cloudscape]

Doesn't have quite the same ring to it. :?

 

[biffvernon]

The derived verb, freegling, has a bit more of a r-ing to it

 

[Nigel Watts]

Sounds like a case of the child outgrowing the parent and no longer wanting to be told what to do all the time. Wasnt there some similar transatlantic disagreement in the 1770s?

 

[biffvernon]

Yes but it was the other way round in 1770. The tables have turned.