An Unpleasant Phone Call from Mr Scharkosi

Nicholas Soames, Editor www.surfcoastnews.com.au

I have just received a very unpleasant phone call from Fred Scharkosi, owner of the Surf Coast & Bellarine Times.

He asked me whether I published the website www.surfcoastnews.com.au?

To which I answered 'yes I do'.

Now Fred Scharkosi had e-mailed me last night to give him a call today, which I did. He was in a meeting so I waited for him to return the call. Naturally I was inquisitive to what he wanted. Maybe he wanted to congratulate me on a job well done or to offer me a job or maybe even buy www.surfcoastnews.com.au.

Over the phone I immediately detected an underlying aggression to the tone of his voice.

'Its just been brought to my attention that this website exists' said Scharkosi.

'Yes I've been publishing it for about four months', I replied.

'I want it back, its mine. You have stolen it' said Scharkosi.

Mr Scharkosi went on to accuse me of intellectual theft and being in illegal ownership of the Universal Resource Locator (URL) www.surfcoastnews.com.au.

I said 'hold on I've owned www.surfcoastnews.com.au for many years. It wasn't so long ago I was trying to sell it'.

I calmly explained to Mr Scharkosi that I don't appreciate being rung up by someone I don't know and being accused of theft and robbery as well as the legal threats he was beginning to make.

The conversation concluded with him threatening legal action.

I remained calm throughout the conversation, not believing what I was hearing but once I put the phone down I began to shake. I had to go outside to get some fresh air.

What gives someone the right to attack a person in such a way and expect to get a positive outcome?