DISCLAIMER summary This author has no affiliation with any of the companies mentioned herein. Further, so far as this author knows, the companies mentioned here have no affiliation with each other nor do they endorse each other. The blame for whatever impression the visitor gets from this educational website must be totally assigned to this author, because the companies had nothing to do with it--in fact, one of them objects to this site, though I cannot imagine why.                               Bill Thornton Further disclaimer below.

EXPANDED DISCLAIMER

In addition to the information in the disclaimer summary, the reader is further apprised that the author has no financial connection with any of the above products or companies other than as a purchaser. All trademarks, registered or not, belong to the manufacturers and their licensors of the products. All copyrighted material appearing here (images, artwork, and text) are incorprated herein under the federal copyright fair use doctrine (Title 17 United States Code, Section 107 at http://uscode.house.gov/usc.htm) regarding reproduction for purposes such as non-commercial criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, and research.

Further, to state the obvious, the opinions expressed are wholly owned by and originate from the author who believes that the visitors to this website have the discrimination and intelligence to perceive fact from fiction, notwithstanding one of the manufacturer's expressed fears to the contrary (see letter below). Nevertheless, if anyone does have any objection to this site, he and/or his attorney is invited to use the "Notice and Demand" format displayed at http://www.chrononhotonthologos.com/lawnotes/notice.htm.

From: Rick Sand Subject: Nature's Earth Products, Inc. Copyrighted materials To: William R. Thornton x@1215.org Monday, July 24, 2000 Dear Mr. Thornton, This letter is to reprise our phone conversation from Friday, July 20, regarding your website, www.1215.org/x/catbox.htm which was originally brought to my attention by our National Demo Coordinator. As you know, our products, such as Feline Pine® cat litter, All Pet Pine® pet bedding and our Wide Slot ScoopTM and promotional materials describing them are prominently displayed and reproduced on your site. Irregardless of your prominent disclaimer, use of the aforementioned on your site may erroneously imply an endorsement by us of your litter box screen idea, the Lift N' Sift litter box manufactured by Product Strategies Corporation as well as Quick Count Plastic Canvas manufactured by The Pyle Group. This does not fit in with our marketing strategy at this time. You are hereby notified to immediately cease and desist utilizing any and all Nature's Earth images, copy or other trademarked and or copyrighted materials on your website or in any other promotional form. Sincerely, Rick C. Sand Director of Advertising

From: William R. Thornton x@1215.org Subject: Nature's Earth Products, Inc. Copyrighted materials Your letter dated July 24, 2000 To: Rick C. Sand Director of Advertising Wednesday, July 26, 2000 Dear Mr. Sand: Please note that, as of your letter's date (and before) only Feline Pine® and Wide Slot ScoopTM are displayed. None of your other products or promotional materials are displayed. Any products or materials that are displayed are done so under the Federally suggested copyright guidelines regarding reproduction for purposes such as non-commercial criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, and research. Because you have a specialty in advertising, I can appreciate your possible subscription to what I understand to be the advertising industry-wide opinion that the mental capacity of the average consumer is equal to that of an eight year old. Although there is a lot to be acknowledged about the degradation of the education system over the past sixty years, I do not concur that naturally endowed intelligence is synonymous with government education. Visitors to web sites generally have above-average intelligence (regardless of their educational level) and they do discriminate well between fact and fiction. Regarding your marketing strategy at this time, please note that I have no financial or other interest in your company other than as a user of your fine product. Simply stated, I am not a part of your organization. You are free to do what you would normally do in exercising your marketing strategy. Regarding your notification "to immediately cease and desist," I must respectfully decline. Please allow me to suggest that, before you pursue this issue further, you review the federal copyright fair use doctrine (Title 17 United States Code, Section 107 at http://uscode.house.gov/usc.htm) regarding reproduction for purposes such as non-commercial criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, and research. Your attorney may provide valuable assistance in that area. If, after your review, your position is unchanged, please deliver to me another notice and demand, which I assure you will receive my immediate attention and response. There are some suggestions on writing a proper notice and demand at http://www.chrononhotonthologos.com/lawnotes/notice.htm. Perhaps you or your attorney will find them useful. You are welcome to incorporate any of my ideas into your product line without obligation or acknowledgement. I wish you the best of success with your superior line of products. There is none better. William R. Thornton