Whoever imagined Jordan Miller, who started a Britney Spears fan site while a high school sophomore in 2004, would one day receive half a million visits a day?
Whoever imagined Miller, now a typical college student at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, would be threatened with legal action by her dad, Jamie Spears?
Miller's world was turned upside-down last fall after he received an angry phone call from the pop star's father-guardian, accusing him of copyright violations.
"I'm working my ass off to report on this girl," Miller said.
In February 2008, after Britney Spears was forced into a treatment program for bipolar disorder, Jamie Spears was awarded conservatorship, giving him the authority to make legal, financial and medical decisions on behalf of his daughter.
Miller posted several blogs begging for Britney to be "freed."
One fan site creator's opinions on Britney and posting of stories about Jamie Lynn Spears apparently have not gone over well with the stars' father and chief handler.
He also posted about a magazine story that suggested Britney's younger sister, Jamie Lynn Spears, was expecting her second child. Then his cell phone rang.
Miller said Jamie Spears told him, "I am going to destroy your ass."
"I was really freaking out for a good three or four weeks," Miller said. "Lately, I've been doing my own thing. I just kind of want to keep it going."
Each day, Miller scans the Internet for stories about Britney Spears, posts them on his site, BreatheHeavy.com, and adds his own comments. He encourages her fans to send him Circus tour photos or updates regarding her.
Miller said the site keeps him busy, but it is not as demanding now as it was when the troubled, out-of-control singer was shaving her head, bashing vehicles with an umbrella, being photographed without no underwear, and so on.
Attorney Clarke Walton, who represents Miller pro bono, has been battling with the Spears legal team, which has threatened to sue for copyright infringements.
"The unauthorized use of recordings, images and trademarks constitutes actionable infringement under copyright and trademark law, and also violates Ms. Spears's rights of publicity and privacy," said a March 18 letter from Jamie's lawyer.
Miller and Walton are puzzled that Team Spears would leave other fan sites alone and sic legal hounds on a kid who is simply a huge admirer of the singer.
He believes that Jamie Spears is "trying to shut me down" because of his negative comments about the father's control over his daughter.
Miller questioned, for example, why he is being targeted instead of the tabloid that first published the story about daughter Jamie Lynn Spears.
He also defended his comments on the father's role as conservator.
"A conservatorship is for an 85-year-old who can't take care of themselves, not a 27-year-old mom who is working and making money," Miller said.
"If she really does need a conservator, she should get an independent one."
Miller suggested, as many gossip magazines have reported, that Britney Spears feels trapped by her father. The two have never had a close relationship.
Miller and the celebrity gossip magazines also question whether Jamie Spears is serving as conservator strictly or at least partially to make money.
So, why does Miller care so much that he's willing to go head-to-head with a man who clearly has tons more money than a college student who works part-time?
"I've been asking that myself," Miller said.
"I just think she's a really cool artist; I feel inspired by her. It's a healthy hobby. It takes a lot of work and dedication, but it's self-fulfilling."
Spears' attorneys allege Miller is profiting from Britney Spears pictures, but Miller and Walton said that is not true. Miller pays $300 a month to keep the site going and receives an average of $100 each month from advertisers.
Type in "Britney Spears fan site" on Google, and Miller's site is tops, ahead of even Spears' official Web site. Fans of the site support Miller.
"Leave Jordan Miller alone," one fan in Canada texted Tuesday during a Spears' concert, a message that was flashed on a stage screen.
Walton is not concerned about the legal threats coming from Spears' camp. He said the letters outlining the infringements have no substance.
Photographs used originate from companies that approved their use or from camera-toting fans who submitted them. Miller is not using images or lyrics for a commercial purpose, like selling T-shirts.
"If they want to fight, I'd love this fight," Walton said. "I feel confident we would win on the merits of this case."
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[Source: The Hollywood Gossip - Posted by FreeAutoBlogger]
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