UPDATE - September 2007
The Wisconsin Court has confirmed and recorded the judgement against Mr. Rebane and the outcome of the case is now a matter of public record there. As far as we're concerned this concludes our business with one of the strangest individuals we have ever encountered. The guy even refers to himself as an Icon (or is that Icon-artist... or Ex-con?) Just kidding folks... but still... could happen.... :-)
UPDATE - July 2007
After the court confirms the judgement and award against Mr. Rebane the defendent filed a pleading to "reconsider" with the court. The hearing came and went with the court refusing to change its decision. At this time Retromedia is in the process of retaining an attorney in Wisconsin to finish this matter up in that State and hopefully close the book on this unpleasant affair and seek its rightful damages on Rebane's home turf.
UPDATE - April 2007
California Court confirms Plaintiff's judgement against Defendant, Bill Rebane in the amount of $66,431. Case is finalized and all that remains is the recordation of the claim in the State of Wisconsin. Rebane's efforts to lodge a frivolous nuisance lawsuit against Retromedia's attorney met with a sudden dismissal by Wisconsin Court on its very first hearing.
OLD NEWS
In a not too surprising conclusion to Retromedia's lengthy (and often bizarre) arbitration against Bill Rebane the aribter's court has found in favor of the claimant (that's me) in the amount of $66,431.00. Rebane was accused of double-selling the DVD rights to the films GIANT SPIDER INVASION and BLOOD HARVEST, which had already been licensed exclusively and paid for by Retromedia; bringing an improper nuisance lawsuit in Small Claims Court, issuing defamatory statements about Retromedia and its owner (Hey! That's me!), and generally interfering with the exclsuive rights I had already paid him for. There were other charges, but you get the picture. The court agreed on all counts, ordering Rebane to pay Retromedia for damages, all attorneys fees and all court costs. The various letters issued by Respondent (that's Rebane) during the course of this were/are, in my humblest opinion, weird and outlandish and would easily make an interesting book of their own... in fact we might publish them since I am told that I am the legal owner of correspondence sent to me. At one point the letters actually attempted to mimic the format of official court documents, proclaiming a "motion" to this and an "order" to that, but quickly resorted to name-calling, thus giving them away as the further ramblings of a desperate huckster (again in my humble opinion). At one point the court, having apparently had enough, issued an Order threatening him with serious action if he didn't cease and desist from sending them. He called the arbitration court corrupt and accused me of "thievery" and "piracy" among a multitude of other things.
When asked for payment of the money the court has ordered him to pay Rebane laughed and told our attorney "good luck getting it". Maybe he has experience at ripping people off and getting away with it. Check out the bankruptcies of his former companies if you have any doubts.
Can you believe he's actually tried to run for Governor of Wisconsin?