1
00:00:09,040 --> 00:00:14,050
For most of my life, I was a die hard
Star Wars fan, and without getting
2
00:00:14,050 --> 00:00:18,690
too deep into it, as of a few years
ago, that is no longer the case.
3
00:00:19,550 --> 00:00:24,220
But losing my love of Star Wars
left a big, sarlacc pit sized void
4
00:00:24,220 --> 00:00:28,120
in my heart just waiting to be
filled by another sci fi franchise.
5
00:00:28,580 --> 00:00:32,790
And so, I set out on a mission
to find my next sci fi obsession.
6
00:00:33,580 --> 00:00:35,290
I started with Planet of the Apes.
7
00:00:35,660 --> 00:00:40,160
I watched all nine films, the entire
live action television series,
8
00:00:40,240 --> 00:00:43,970
and all of the animated series
returned to the Planet of the Apes.
9
00:00:44,629 --> 00:00:45,439
I loved it.
10
00:00:46,100 --> 00:00:50,720
Planet of the Apes does not have
nearly as rabid a fanbase as Star Wars.
11
00:00:51,190 --> 00:00:56,069
There is no Planet of the Apes expanded
universe, as far as I'm aware, and so,
12
00:00:56,600 --> 00:01:01,280
After you've watched all the movies
and TV shows, that's kind of it.
13
00:01:01,910 --> 00:01:06,580
But there has always been another
major sci fi franchise that rivals and,
14
00:01:06,740 --> 00:01:11,459
depending on who you ask, surpasses
Star Wars in both the breadth of its
15
00:01:11,459 --> 00:01:18,090
content, And the dedication of its fandom
Captain's log started 4 1 3 8 6 0.4.
16
00:01:18,890 --> 00:01:21,979
We are in pursuit of a
Starship of Farge design.
17
00:01:22,329 --> 00:01:26,109
Our mission is to intercept and
recover a T nine energy converter,
18
00:01:26,109 --> 00:01:29,740
which the Farge stole from an unmanned
monitor post on Gamma Tower four.
19
00:01:30,815 --> 00:01:34,704
That's audio from the fifth
episode of season one of Star
20
00:01:34,704 --> 00:01:36,424
Trek The Next Generation.
21
00:01:37,045 --> 00:01:41,445
This episode, entitled The Last
Outpost, is an important one in the
22
00:01:41,465 --> 00:01:45,835
greater history of the Star Trek
franchise, as it marks the first on
23
00:01:45,835 --> 00:01:47,814
screen appearance of the Ferengi.
24
00:01:48,025 --> 00:01:51,965
A species of large eared humanoids
from the planet Ferenginar that
25
00:01:51,965 --> 00:01:56,095
would serve as frequent antagonists
to the crew of the Enterprise D.
26
00:01:56,425 --> 00:01:57,865
Our power systems are failing.
27
00:01:58,435 --> 00:01:59,685
Deflector shield failing.
28
00:02:00,925 --> 00:02:02,085
Phasers going inoperative, Captain.
29
00:02:02,414 --> 00:02:04,984
Captain, something is
completely immobilizing us.
30
00:02:05,539 --> 00:02:08,280
It's a classic setup for
an episode of Star Trek.
31
00:02:08,449 --> 00:02:13,790
Both the Enterprise ship and the Ferengi
ship are drained of power by a mysterious
32
00:02:13,819 --> 00:02:19,339
source on a nearby planet, and each vessel
beams down on a way team to participate
33
00:02:19,349 --> 00:02:21,309
in a cooperative investigation.
34
00:02:21,605 --> 00:02:25,035
Hopefully, forging some sort of
understanding in the process.
35
00:02:25,835 --> 00:02:29,755
I would love to sit here and gush
over Star Trek The Next Generation,
36
00:02:29,755 --> 00:02:33,815
but it wasn't the episode itself
that provided this week's mystery,
37
00:02:33,815 --> 00:02:38,585
rather it was something I saw in the
subtitles during this opening scene.
38
00:02:39,174 --> 00:02:43,375
In a moment of silence between lines
of dialogue from Patrick Stewart as
39
00:02:43,375 --> 00:02:47,755
Captain Jean Luc Picard and Jonathan
Frakes as Commander William Riker,
40
00:02:48,115 --> 00:02:50,145
a message appeared in the subtitles.
41
00:02:50,829 --> 00:02:56,590
An ominous message that simply read,
Someone needs to stop Clearway Law.
42
00:03:00,259 --> 00:03:01,940
Welcome to Mount Mole Hill.
43
00:03:02,570 --> 00:03:05,460
A place where even the smallest
mysteries become mountains.
44
00:03:06,270 --> 00:03:10,650
I'm Chris and this week I'm trying to
figure out why my Star Trek subtitles
45
00:03:10,650 --> 00:03:15,170
contain a cryptic call to action
about something called Clearway Law.
46
00:03:15,810 --> 00:03:19,280
What is Clearway Law and why
does someone need to stop them?
47
00:03:19,935 --> 00:03:22,005
Let's make a mountain
out of this molehill.
48
00:03:28,204 --> 00:03:31,445
Unlike most of the mysteries I'll
be covering on this season of
49
00:03:31,445 --> 00:03:35,904
Mount Molehill, this whole Clearway
Law thing isn't something that
50
00:03:35,904 --> 00:03:37,484
I had a previous interest in.
51
00:03:37,484 --> 00:03:38,064
Rather, Take care.
52
00:03:38,385 --> 00:03:42,475
It's something that was foisted upon
me while I was attempting to unwind
53
00:03:42,485 --> 00:03:44,645
one evening and watch some Star Trek.
54
00:03:45,205 --> 00:03:49,804
And so, I didn't really have a good place
to start with this one other than simply
55
00:03:49,805 --> 00:03:54,214
doing a Google search for the phrase,
someone needs to stop clearway law.
56
00:03:54,754 --> 00:03:57,585
And the first thing that popped
up was an article published on
57
00:03:57,585 --> 00:03:59,875
September 20th, 2022 on lawnews.
58
00:04:00,785 --> 00:04:01,115
co.
59
00:04:01,115 --> 00:04:05,855
uk titled, What is the
Clearway Law Controversy About?
60
00:04:06,450 --> 00:04:10,760
The article begins by describing a
recent defamation judgment in favor
61
00:04:10,760 --> 00:04:15,660
of a British Columbia Canada based
construction materials business against a
62
00:04:15,660 --> 00:04:20,159
customer who was leaving negative reviews
for the business on Google and Yelp.
63
00:04:20,610 --> 00:04:25,659
The article uses this case as an example
of why, quote, this should make people who
64
00:04:25,659 --> 00:04:30,469
try to tear down businesses with untrue
statements online worried, end quote.
65
00:04:31,080 --> 00:04:36,150
The article then quickly pivots to the
so called Clearway Law controversy, and
66
00:04:36,150 --> 00:04:40,350
the author of the article recounts how
their business, Clearway Law, a website
67
00:04:40,350 --> 00:04:44,340
that allows people to rate the performance
of their lawyers, has allegedly
68
00:04:44,340 --> 00:04:48,419
been defamed online by the marketing
manager of a law firm in Toronto.
69
00:04:49,030 --> 00:04:53,030
This marketing manager, the author
alleges, had been making inflammatory
70
00:04:53,040 --> 00:04:57,145
posts on Reddit about Clearway Law,
And even went as far as hiring a
71
00:04:57,145 --> 00:05:01,045
company that runs reddit bot accounts
to harass reddit members of a
72
00:05:01,065 --> 00:05:05,925
particular subreddit and leave one star
reviews for clearway law on google.
73
00:05:06,624 --> 00:05:10,844
It's all very confusing, and reading the
article feels as though I've walked into
74
00:05:10,844 --> 00:05:14,995
the middle of a three hour movie and I'm
struggling to make heads or tails of it.
75
00:05:15,665 --> 00:05:19,795
The byline of the article claims that
it was written by one Helen Greeney, but
76
00:05:19,805 --> 00:05:25,220
the bottom of the article states, quote,
Author, Alastair Vigier, is the CEO of
77
00:05:25,220 --> 00:05:29,470
Clearway Law, a company that wants to
change the legal industry via lawyer
78
00:05:29,470 --> 00:05:31,749
reviews and a legal question forum.
79
00:05:31,980 --> 00:05:32,640
End quote.
80
00:05:33,219 --> 00:05:37,400
I can already tell that this whole thing
is going to be very difficult to parse.
81
00:05:37,920 --> 00:05:42,280
And the fact that all of this has to do
with lawyers and law firms is making me
82
00:05:42,280 --> 00:05:47,130
a bit uncomfortable because obviously, I
don't want to say anything that can get
83
00:05:47,130 --> 00:05:49,440
myself into any sort of legal trouble.
84
00:05:49,970 --> 00:05:52,970
So, I'm going to be very
careful here not to make any
85
00:05:52,970 --> 00:05:55,020
claims or draw any conclusions.
86
00:05:55,350 --> 00:05:58,840
I'm simply going to compile the
information that is available to
87
00:05:58,840 --> 00:06:02,920
me about this so called controversy
and allow you, the audience, to
88
00:06:02,920 --> 00:06:04,360
come to your own conclusions.
89
00:06:05,340 --> 00:06:09,260
First things first, what
exactly is Clearway Law?
90
00:06:09,835 --> 00:06:14,045
According to statements made by Alastair
Vigier, CEO and founder at Clearway
91
00:06:14,065 --> 00:06:19,165
Law, in a YouTube video titled About
Clearway Law, posted on September 16,
92
00:06:19,214 --> 00:06:24,945
2022 by an account named Clearway Law,
the goal of Clearway Law is to, quote,
93
00:06:25,324 --> 00:06:29,825
matchmake between people that are
serious about hiring a lawyer, end quote.
94
00:06:30,595 --> 00:06:34,185
In the video, when asked how
Clearway Law accomplishes this goal,
95
00:06:34,405 --> 00:06:38,765
Vigier states, quote, The primary
way is through a rating system.
96
00:06:38,975 --> 00:06:42,064
We want to get as many ratings
for lawyers as possible.
97
00:06:42,294 --> 00:06:45,905
We're really just looking, at the end of
the day, for lawyers that want to make a
98
00:06:45,905 --> 00:06:48,084
difference and want to actually help out.
99
00:06:48,534 --> 00:06:49,195
End quote.
100
00:06:50,155 --> 00:06:53,214
So basically, it's like
a Yelp for lawyers.
101
00:06:54,054 --> 00:06:56,394
I decided to jump on clearwaylaw.
102
00:06:56,445 --> 00:06:58,534
com and have a look for myself.
103
00:06:59,020 --> 00:07:02,819
There's a search engine where,
ostensibly, you can search for an
104
00:07:02,819 --> 00:07:08,029
attorney by name, what type of law they
practice, where they practice, etc.
105
00:07:08,469 --> 00:07:12,429
After selecting a lawyer's profile
from the list of results, you can
106
00:07:12,429 --> 00:07:16,809
see some basic information about them
such as their education, practice
107
00:07:16,809 --> 00:07:19,369
areas, firm name, and firm location.
108
00:07:19,984 --> 00:07:22,994
You can also leave reviews
for lawyers, which is the main
109
00:07:23,044 --> 00:07:24,405
selling point of the site.
110
00:07:24,864 --> 00:07:29,305
However, the search function does not
allow you to sort or filter results
111
00:07:29,305 --> 00:07:31,794
by lawyer rating or number of reviews.
112
00:07:32,234 --> 00:07:35,664
So I found it difficult to find a
lawyer that would be recommended
113
00:07:35,675 --> 00:07:38,034
based on the Clearway rating system.
114
00:07:38,555 --> 00:07:42,055
In fact, I clicked on a bunch of
lawyer profiles on the site and was
115
00:07:42,055 --> 00:07:46,205
unable to find any that actually
had any reviews on the site.
116
00:07:47,060 --> 00:07:52,000
That aside, the website does appear to
function as described by Alastair Vigier
117
00:07:52,010 --> 00:07:54,020
in the aforementioned YouTube video.
118
00:07:55,000 --> 00:07:58,140
Okay, so we'll take the answer
to the question of what is
119
00:07:58,140 --> 00:08:00,320
Clearway Law at face value.
120
00:08:00,850 --> 00:08:04,950
It's a website where people can
search for, rate, and review lawyers.
121
00:08:06,120 --> 00:08:10,410
The next questions to tackle are
why does someone need to stop them?
122
00:08:10,600 --> 00:08:13,310
How are they inserting this
message into subtitles for
123
00:08:13,310 --> 00:08:15,130
Star Trek The Next Generation?
124
00:08:15,400 --> 00:08:19,910
And who is behind the someone needs
to stop Clearway Law campaign?
125
00:08:20,740 --> 00:08:24,530
In order to answer this, I decided
to check out the Reddit post that
126
00:08:24,530 --> 00:08:26,230
was referenced in the lawnews.
127
00:08:26,530 --> 00:08:26,870
co.
128
00:08:26,870 --> 00:08:28,090
uk article.
129
00:08:28,705 --> 00:08:35,295
The post submitted by user Jack them
off on December 29th 2022 to the Law
130
00:08:35,325 --> 00:08:41,095
Canada subreddit is titled Alistair
Vigier and Clearway Law using lawyer
131
00:08:41,095 --> 00:08:43,515
profiles without the consent of lawyers.
132
00:08:44,265 --> 00:08:49,635
The body of the post is as follows,
quote, Alistair Vigier puts lawyers
133
00:08:49,635 --> 00:08:54,454
on his website, https: clearwaylaw.
134
00:08:54,464 --> 00:08:59,774
com, without their consent and refuses
to remove the profile upon request.
135
00:09:00,385 --> 00:09:04,745
This should discourage anyone looking
to work with him or seek his services.
136
00:09:05,464 --> 00:09:07,564
He has poor morals and ethics.
137
00:09:07,915 --> 00:09:08,694
Stay away.
138
00:09:09,275 --> 00:09:12,195
Should do something about him
and take down his website.
139
00:09:12,775 --> 00:09:15,425
He is piggybacking on
the hard work of others.
140
00:09:15,425 --> 00:09:15,492
https: clearwaylaw.
141
00:09:15,492 --> 00:09:18,210
com I hope this gets the
coverage it deserves.
142
00:09:18,770 --> 00:09:19,170
Edit.
143
00:09:19,420 --> 00:09:22,410
No, I am not the one
behind the open subtitles.
144
00:09:22,720 --> 00:09:23,840
Stop asking me.
145
00:09:24,430 --> 00:09:26,870
Update October 2022.
146
00:09:27,360 --> 00:09:31,460
The LSO has confirmed they already
have a case file number and is
147
00:09:31,460 --> 00:09:33,550
currently investigating the situation.
148
00:09:35,955 --> 00:09:41,275
So, based on this post, the answer to
why clearway law should be stopped is
149
00:09:41,275 --> 00:09:45,305
because the website allegedly posts
information about lawyers without
150
00:09:45,305 --> 00:09:49,744
their consent and then refuses to
remove their profiles upon request.
151
00:09:50,265 --> 00:09:54,814
The responses to the post range
from supportive of clearway law to
152
00:09:54,855 --> 00:10:00,935
antagonistic towards CEO Alastair
Vigier to, like myself, Bewildered as
153
00:10:00,944 --> 00:10:05,234
to why a subtitle about Clearway Law
had been inserted into the subs of
154
00:10:05,234 --> 00:10:07,144
their favorite TV shows and movies.
155
00:10:07,615 --> 00:10:11,845
Apparently, Star Trek The Next Generation
is not the only piece of media in which
156
00:10:11,865 --> 00:10:16,085
the Someone Needs to Stop Clearway
Law message appears in the subtitles.
157
00:10:16,725 --> 00:10:21,504
Reddit users listed a variety of other
shows and movies such as Better Call
158
00:10:21,505 --> 00:10:27,345
Saul, Ted Lasso, Ghost in the Shell,
Twin Peaks, La Brea, King of the Hill,
159
00:10:27,495 --> 00:10:30,625
Atlanta, Bones, Survivor, and others.
160
00:10:33,350 --> 00:10:37,660
Well, Reddit user Anticino has a
theory about that, which he posted
161
00:10:37,660 --> 00:10:42,000
as a response to a separate Reddit
thread posted to the piracy subreddit
162
00:10:42,040 --> 00:10:49,149
on August 16, 2022 titled ClearwayLaw?
163
00:10:49,300 --> 00:10:50,459
in my subtitles.
164
00:10:51,470 --> 00:10:56,465
Anticino posits quote, If you were
really trying to stop somebody from
165
00:10:56,465 --> 00:11:00,095
doing something, you wouldn't make
your one key point in limited available
166
00:11:00,105 --> 00:11:04,335
space something that is obviously not
an issue and should be widely accepted.
167
00:11:04,575 --> 00:11:06,635
Like reviewing a business or lawyer.
168
00:11:07,005 --> 00:11:10,725
It's worded specifically
so I go, What the f Why?
169
00:11:10,915 --> 00:11:11,655
And look it up.
170
00:11:11,714 --> 00:11:15,714
Then, finding their website or
an article, most likely by them,
171
00:11:15,904 --> 00:11:18,194
about the fabricated conspiracy.
172
00:11:18,699 --> 00:11:23,189
Add on the fact that Clearway Law
itself has been posting articles titled
173
00:11:23,199 --> 00:11:27,250
things like, What is all the Clearway
Conspiracy about that are basically
174
00:11:27,250 --> 00:11:29,360
just advertisements and it's clear?
175
00:11:29,870 --> 00:11:33,609
They're trying to act like there is
some big controversy to get people to
176
00:11:33,610 --> 00:11:37,599
check out who they are and hopefully
start using the services to stick
177
00:11:37,599 --> 00:11:40,920
it to the big baddies trying to
stop them from reviewing lawyers.
178
00:11:41,615 --> 00:11:44,765
Anybody can request who
paid for advertising on open
179
00:11:44,765 --> 00:11:46,574
subtitles or anywhere else.
180
00:11:47,214 --> 00:11:51,514
I'm pretty sure that if I contacted
them about this, user Clearway Law
181
00:11:51,525 --> 00:11:55,405
would be the one that placed the ads,
or somebody affiliated with them.
182
00:11:57,824 --> 00:12:01,274
So it seems that the answer to
how this message ended up in
183
00:12:01,274 --> 00:12:04,165
subtitles is paid advertising.
184
00:12:04,685 --> 00:12:06,685
And here's basically how that works.
185
00:12:07,295 --> 00:12:11,355
Pretty much everyone is familiar
with how a streaming service such
186
00:12:11,355 --> 00:12:13,885
as Netflix or Paramount Plus works.
187
00:12:14,305 --> 00:12:18,455
You pay a monthly fee in exchange
for video content that this streaming
188
00:12:18,455 --> 00:12:20,404
service has produced or licensed.
189
00:12:21,189 --> 00:12:24,620
But there are other streaming
services, most notably one called
190
00:12:24,670 --> 00:12:26,750
Plex, where that is not the case.
191
00:12:27,569 --> 00:12:31,040
With Plex, the content
is provided by the user.
192
00:12:31,730 --> 00:12:36,750
Let's say that I have the DVD box set
of Everybody Loves Raymond, and I want
193
00:12:36,750 --> 00:12:40,899
to be able to watch it without the
hassle of actually using a DVD player.
194
00:12:41,449 --> 00:12:43,699
That's where a service like Plex comes in.
195
00:12:44,110 --> 00:12:49,510
I would rip my Everybody Loves Raymond
DVDs onto my computer, set up a Plex
196
00:12:49,519 --> 00:12:55,110
media server, set up the Plex app on my
smart TV, and then I'd be able to stream
197
00:12:55,110 --> 00:12:59,330
the show in pretty much the same way that
I would on any other streaming service.
198
00:13:00,100 --> 00:13:03,490
The main difference is that I
am the one hosting the content,
199
00:13:03,760 --> 00:13:05,250
not the streaming service.
200
00:13:06,035 --> 00:13:10,035
That's not the only difference
when you turn on subtitles on a
201
00:13:10,035 --> 00:13:13,935
movie using a traditional streaming
service such as Netflix, the
202
00:13:13,935 --> 00:13:16,725
subtitles are provided by Netflix.
203
00:13:17,525 --> 00:13:20,435
Plex does not provide
subtitles of its own.
204
00:13:20,435 --> 00:13:24,905
Rather, it pulls subtitles from
a variety of online sources, one
205
00:13:24,935 --> 00:13:27,365
of which is open subtitles.org.
206
00:13:27,790 --> 00:13:29,079
And Opensubtitles.
207
00:13:29,079 --> 00:13:33,699
org uses paid advertising in their
subtitles as a revenue stream.
208
00:13:34,290 --> 00:13:39,329
The way this works is someone pays
for ad space on Open Subtitles, and
209
00:13:39,329 --> 00:13:43,669
their ads are dynamically inserted
into empty spaces in subtitles when
210
00:13:43,670 --> 00:13:45,589
there is nobody speaking in the film.
211
00:13:45,999 --> 00:13:49,439
Like that brief pause in the
episode of The Next Generation.
212
00:13:49,550 --> 00:13:50,380
by the damn fringes.
213
00:13:51,185 --> 00:13:52,344
I need more information.
214
00:13:53,324 --> 00:13:54,614
What the hell are they using?
215
00:14:06,415 --> 00:14:08,815
Obviously we've underestimated
their technology, Captain.
216
00:14:09,614 --> 00:14:10,494
Considerably.
217
00:14:11,324 --> 00:14:15,334
So the final question to answer
is, who is behind all of this?
218
00:14:15,925 --> 00:14:21,304
Let's go back to that very first article
written by Clearway CEO Alastair Vigier.
219
00:14:21,875 --> 00:14:25,265
If you'll remember, the article
claims that the Clearway Law smear
220
00:14:25,265 --> 00:14:29,785
campaign is being perpetuated by,
quote, the marketing manager of
221
00:14:29,785 --> 00:14:32,115
a law firm in Toronto, end quote.
222
00:14:32,675 --> 00:14:37,665
The article goes on to say, quote, He
contacted me and demanded I took down the
223
00:14:37,665 --> 00:14:40,275
profiles of all the lawyers at his firm.
224
00:14:40,814 --> 00:14:44,705
He said only he could control the
online reputation of his lawyers.
225
00:14:45,454 --> 00:14:49,564
He also posted that I was a
molester on Google Maps, which
226
00:14:49,564 --> 00:14:51,375
was later removed by Google.
227
00:14:51,954 --> 00:14:56,314
A few of the lawyers who got bad reviews
on Clearway now leave posts all over
228
00:14:56,314 --> 00:15:00,675
the internet which say things like,
someone needs to stop Clearway law.
229
00:15:01,305 --> 00:15:05,055
It's unbelievable, but one lawyer
even took out an advertisement
230
00:15:05,074 --> 00:15:06,525
on a subtitle website.
231
00:15:07,135 --> 00:15:09,525
Their advertisements have been successful.
232
00:15:09,985 --> 00:15:14,155
Once they started the advertisements,
the Google searches for my company went
233
00:15:14,155 --> 00:15:17,585
from 1, 000 people a month to 35, 000.
234
00:15:18,224 --> 00:15:23,495
While I was writing this article, Jack
TheMov, the same person who is posting the
235
00:15:23,495 --> 00:15:29,140
Reddit posts and emailing us weekly, Re
uploaded a review that Google has removed
236
00:15:29,180 --> 00:15:32,020
three times for being false, end quote.
237
00:15:32,900 --> 00:15:37,229
The article provides a screenshot of
the Google review from Jack the Mob,
238
00:15:37,239 --> 00:15:41,700
which says, quote, Alastair Vigier
and his law firm were shut down
239
00:15:41,700 --> 00:15:43,910
for securities fraud in Vancouver.
240
00:15:44,490 --> 00:15:48,210
He uses lawyer profiles without
consent to act like he's a
241
00:15:48,220 --> 00:15:50,069
big legal service provider.
242
00:15:51,600 --> 00:15:56,149
This accusation of securities fraud,
along with various other personal attacks
243
00:15:56,149 --> 00:16:01,339
on Alastair Vigier, is repeated on the
Reddit post submitted by JackTheMov.
244
00:16:01,930 --> 00:16:06,000
I was unable to find any evidence
regarding any such incident.
245
00:16:06,520 --> 00:16:08,740
But there were some other
claims of professional
246
00:16:08,740 --> 00:16:10,579
misconduct leveled against Mr.
247
00:16:10,579 --> 00:16:14,069
Vigier in the Reddit thread
made by user MontrealLaw.
248
00:16:14,630 --> 00:16:20,130
They claimed, quote, Alistair Vigier
has deceived people throughout his life.
249
00:16:20,359 --> 00:16:23,680
He was a weekend warrior in
the military for a year and
250
00:16:23,680 --> 00:16:25,520
barely served in the military.
251
00:16:26,074 --> 00:16:29,454
He created chaos with multiple
businesses in Victoria.
252
00:16:29,735 --> 00:16:34,715
He hangs his hat on the whole 30
under 30 BS, but it was based on lies.
253
00:16:35,459 --> 00:16:38,489
He literally bankrupted
a law firm in Victoria.
254
00:16:39,060 --> 00:16:43,109
He expended his father's money on a
pipe dream with nothing to show for it.
255
00:16:43,640 --> 00:16:45,129
And I can go on and on.
256
00:16:45,489 --> 00:16:46,170
End quote.
257
00:16:46,780 --> 00:16:50,390
Again, I was unable to find
any evidence to support this.
258
00:16:50,969 --> 00:16:54,459
Now the reason that I bring all of
this up is because there are so far
259
00:16:54,459 --> 00:16:57,780
two explanations for the question
of who is behind all of this.
260
00:16:58,670 --> 00:17:02,840
One is the explanation provided
by Alistair Vigier, that his
261
00:17:02,840 --> 00:17:06,120
website has ruffled some feathers
and now there is someone leading
262
00:17:06,120 --> 00:17:07,920
a smear campaign against him.
263
00:17:08,720 --> 00:17:13,779
The other, provided by Reddit user
Antocino, is that this is all a publicity
264
00:17:13,780 --> 00:17:16,270
stunt masterminded by Vigier himself.
265
00:17:16,974 --> 00:17:21,395
Although that may sound cynical, it's
not outside the realm of possibility
266
00:17:21,395 --> 00:17:23,474
in this day and age of viral marketing.
267
00:17:24,035 --> 00:17:27,795
But if a person were trying to promote
their business, would they really
268
00:17:27,825 --> 00:17:31,775
pay for sockpuppet accounts to leave
reviews and comments calling them a
269
00:17:31,775 --> 00:17:34,265
molester, fraud, or weekend warrior?
270
00:17:34,834 --> 00:17:38,975
Sure, it might get some publicity, and
even Vigier himself stated in his article
271
00:17:38,975 --> 00:17:43,095
that traffic to his website had increased
dramatically, but, I don't know, it just
272
00:17:43,095 --> 00:17:46,195
doesn't sound like that's 100% the case.
273
00:17:47,010 --> 00:17:51,800
And I think the positive responses to
the Reddit post also provide further
274
00:17:51,800 --> 00:17:56,670
support that the whole someone needs
to stop Clearway law controversy is not
275
00:17:56,680 --> 00:17:58,900
totally perpetuated by fake accounts.
276
00:17:59,740 --> 00:18:06,370
One, from user newblackberry6623,
says, quote, Doesn't sound unethical,
277
00:18:06,420 --> 00:18:08,010
leaving reviews from the public.
278
00:18:08,139 --> 00:18:09,500
Sounds like a great idea.
279
00:18:09,610 --> 00:18:12,980
Something the lawyer can't
modify or spam with fake reviews.
280
00:18:13,609 --> 00:18:16,419
A lawyer and their phone number
sounds like yellow pages.
281
00:18:16,669 --> 00:18:17,669
Public knowledge.
282
00:18:18,165 --> 00:18:22,534
I've used several attorneys and had
some s t service, so I'd like to find
283
00:18:22,544 --> 00:18:26,145
accurate reviews from a working man
when I'm spending a week's paycheck
284
00:18:26,155 --> 00:18:31,054
for one hour of their work that they
pay an assistant or paralegal 20 for.
285
00:18:31,644 --> 00:18:33,904
My best lawyer was a public defender.
286
00:18:34,074 --> 00:18:36,134
Most of them morons with no clue.
287
00:18:36,464 --> 00:18:38,944
I actually had to educate
myself and guide them.
288
00:18:39,224 --> 00:18:42,104
America's justice system
really needs reform.
289
00:18:42,494 --> 00:18:43,175
End quote.
290
00:18:43,975 --> 00:18:49,445
Another response from user DesperateTrip9
says, quote, It's just a site that
291
00:18:49,445 --> 00:18:53,705
reviews lawyers, and lawyers are super
scared of people giving accurate reviews
292
00:18:53,705 --> 00:18:55,524
of how they've conducted themselves.
293
00:18:56,135 --> 00:18:59,595
Also, I saw at one point, somebody
said that as officers of the
294
00:18:59,595 --> 00:19:02,725
court, you shouldn't be able to
post reviews about them because
295
00:19:02,735 --> 00:19:04,415
they're officers of the court.
296
00:19:05,090 --> 00:19:10,710
But following that logic, if you're saying
that being officers is the court is some
297
00:19:10,740 --> 00:19:14,970
kind of legal standing, that you are a
part of the court that makes you a part
298
00:19:15,000 --> 00:19:20,250
of the legislative branch, which de facto
says that you consider yourself a part
299
00:19:20,250 --> 00:19:23,940
of the government, which means that you
are a public person, which means that you
300
00:19:23,940 --> 00:19:28,950
can't shut down people for speaking about
you because it is protected by the First
301
00:19:28,950 --> 00:19:31,149
Amendment, which specifically says...
302
00:19:36,980 --> 00:19:42,109
And while neither of those responses
is particularly eloquent or even
303
00:19:42,109 --> 00:19:46,920
at times coherent, I did choose
both of them for a specific reason.
304
00:19:47,480 --> 00:19:51,480
Because it's important to point out
that both of these responses reference
305
00:19:51,520 --> 00:19:56,640
the American legal system and that
Clearway Law is a Canadian company that
306
00:19:56,640 --> 00:19:59,060
catalogs and rates Canadian lawyers.
307
00:19:59,540 --> 00:20:03,990
If someone were paying sockpuppet accounts
to defend their business in the midst of a
308
00:20:03,990 --> 00:20:09,070
manufactured controversy, wouldn't they at
least make sure that their comments were
309
00:20:09,129 --> 00:20:11,179
pertinent to the business in question?
310
00:20:12,469 --> 00:20:16,880
There is a third possibility that's
sort of a combination of the other two.
311
00:20:17,500 --> 00:20:22,250
It is possible that the someone needs
to stop clearway law controversy was
312
00:20:22,250 --> 00:20:26,850
a manufactured one, but that once it
was put out into the world, It took
313
00:20:26,850 --> 00:20:31,379
on a life of its own and started to
generate some actual controversy and
314
00:20:31,409 --> 00:20:34,839
negative publicity for Clearway Law.
315
00:20:35,460 --> 00:20:37,799
I don't think we'll ever really know.
316
00:20:42,229 --> 00:20:47,049
And that's pretty much it for this
week's mystery, which I apologize if it
317
00:20:47,050 --> 00:20:49,379
feels like it didn't really go anywhere.
318
00:20:49,979 --> 00:20:53,979
I did find some other information
about this, but like I said at
319
00:20:53,979 --> 00:20:57,580
the beginning of this episode, I
really don't want to get myself into
320
00:20:57,580 --> 00:20:59,459
any sort of legal trouble, so...
321
00:20:59,899 --> 00:21:02,310
Again, I'm not making any claims.
322
00:21:02,830 --> 00:21:07,550
I'm just presenting you guys with some of
the information that I found and opening
323
00:21:07,550 --> 00:21:09,830
it up to the Mount Mole Hill audience.
324
00:21:10,469 --> 00:21:11,600
Let me know what you think.
325
00:21:12,200 --> 00:21:17,209
What is going on with the so
called Clearway Law controversy?
326
00:21:23,649 --> 00:21:26,490
Mount Mole Hill is
written, produced, Bainter.
327
00:21:30,864 --> 00:21:35,475
All other voices featured in this episode,
apart from my own, are computer generated.
328
00:21:36,094 --> 00:21:39,934
All of the sources used in this
episode can be found in the show notes.
329
00:21:40,554 --> 00:21:44,904
This podcast features materials protected
by the Fair Use Guidelines of Section
330
00:21:44,904 --> 00:21:49,564
107 of the Copyright Act, all rights
reserved to the copyright owners.
331
00:21:50,765 --> 00:21:54,035
If you have a molehill that you'd like
me to turn into a mountain, whether it's
332
00:21:54,035 --> 00:21:57,815
a mystery that you just can't solve,
or just an interesting topic you'd like
333
00:21:57,815 --> 00:21:59,915
me to delve into, please reach out.
334
00:22:00,545 --> 00:22:05,885
You can email me at Mountain Molehill
podcast@gmail.com, or you can call
335
00:22:05,885 --> 00:22:08,435
and leave me a voicemail at 5 0 5.
336
00:22:09,490 --> 00:22:10,970
218 6894.
337
00:22:11,750 --> 00:22:16,140
Follow us on Instagram to see updates
and supplemental material for the show.
338
00:22:17,010 --> 00:22:21,239
Thanks for listening, I'll be back
with another episode in two weeks.
00:00:09,040 --> 00:00:14,050
For most of my life, I was a die hard
Star Wars fan, and without getting
2
00:00:14,050 --> 00:00:18,690
too deep into it, as of a few years
ago, that is no longer the case.
3
00:00:19,550 --> 00:00:24,220
But losing my love of Star Wars
left a big, sarlacc pit sized void
4
00:00:24,220 --> 00:00:28,120
in my heart just waiting to be
filled by another sci fi franchise.
5
00:00:28,580 --> 00:00:32,790
And so, I set out on a mission
to find my next sci fi obsession.
6
00:00:33,580 --> 00:00:35,290
I started with Planet of the Apes.
7
00:00:35,660 --> 00:00:40,160
I watched all nine films, the entire
live action television series,
8
00:00:40,240 --> 00:00:43,970
and all of the animated series
returned to the Planet of the Apes.
9
00:00:44,629 --> 00:00:45,439
I loved it.
10
00:00:46,100 --> 00:00:50,720
Planet of the Apes does not have
nearly as rabid a fanbase as Star Wars.
11
00:00:51,190 --> 00:00:56,069
There is no Planet of the Apes expanded
universe, as far as I'm aware, and so,
12
00:00:56,600 --> 00:01:01,280
After you've watched all the movies
and TV shows, that's kind of it.
13
00:01:01,910 --> 00:01:06,580
But there has always been another
major sci fi franchise that rivals and,
14
00:01:06,740 --> 00:01:11,459
depending on who you ask, surpasses
Star Wars in both the breadth of its
15
00:01:11,459 --> 00:01:18,090
content, And the dedication of its fandom
Captain's log started 4 1 3 8 6 0.4.
16
00:01:18,890 --> 00:01:21,979
We are in pursuit of a
Starship of Farge design.
17
00:01:22,329 --> 00:01:26,109
Our mission is to intercept and
recover a T nine energy converter,
18
00:01:26,109 --> 00:01:29,740
which the Farge stole from an unmanned
monitor post on Gamma Tower four.
19
00:01:30,815 --> 00:01:34,704
That's audio from the fifth
episode of season one of Star
20
00:01:34,704 --> 00:01:36,424
Trek The Next Generation.
21
00:01:37,045 --> 00:01:41,445
This episode, entitled The Last
Outpost, is an important one in the
22
00:01:41,465 --> 00:01:45,835
greater history of the Star Trek
franchise, as it marks the first on
23
00:01:45,835 --> 00:01:47,814
screen appearance of the Ferengi.
24
00:01:48,025 --> 00:01:51,965
A species of large eared humanoids
from the planet Ferenginar that
25
00:01:51,965 --> 00:01:56,095
would serve as frequent antagonists
to the crew of the Enterprise D.
26
00:01:56,425 --> 00:01:57,865
Our power systems are failing.
27
00:01:58,435 --> 00:01:59,685
Deflector shield failing.
28
00:02:00,925 --> 00:02:02,085
Phasers going inoperative, Captain.
29
00:02:02,414 --> 00:02:04,984
Captain, something is
completely immobilizing us.
30
00:02:05,539 --> 00:02:08,280
It's a classic setup for
an episode of Star Trek.
31
00:02:08,449 --> 00:02:13,790
Both the Enterprise ship and the Ferengi
ship are drained of power by a mysterious
32
00:02:13,819 --> 00:02:19,339
source on a nearby planet, and each vessel
beams down on a way team to participate
33
00:02:19,349 --> 00:02:21,309
in a cooperative investigation.
34
00:02:21,605 --> 00:02:25,035
Hopefully, forging some sort of
understanding in the process.
35
00:02:25,835 --> 00:02:29,755
I would love to sit here and gush
over Star Trek The Next Generation,
36
00:02:29,755 --> 00:02:33,815
but it wasn't the episode itself
that provided this week's mystery,
37
00:02:33,815 --> 00:02:38,585
rather it was something I saw in the
subtitles during this opening scene.
38
00:02:39,174 --> 00:02:43,375
In a moment of silence between lines
of dialogue from Patrick Stewart as
39
00:02:43,375 --> 00:02:47,755
Captain Jean Luc Picard and Jonathan
Frakes as Commander William Riker,
40
00:02:48,115 --> 00:02:50,145
a message appeared in the subtitles.
41
00:02:50,829 --> 00:02:56,590
An ominous message that simply read,
Someone needs to stop Clearway Law.
42
00:03:00,259 --> 00:03:01,940
Welcome to Mount Mole Hill.
43
00:03:02,570 --> 00:03:05,460
A place where even the smallest
mysteries become mountains.
44
00:03:06,270 --> 00:03:10,650
I'm Chris and this week I'm trying to
figure out why my Star Trek subtitles
45
00:03:10,650 --> 00:03:15,170
contain a cryptic call to action
about something called Clearway Law.
46
00:03:15,810 --> 00:03:19,280
What is Clearway Law and why
does someone need to stop them?
47
00:03:19,935 --> 00:03:22,005
Let's make a mountain
out of this molehill.
48
00:03:28,204 --> 00:03:31,445
Unlike most of the mysteries I'll
be covering on this season of
49
00:03:31,445 --> 00:03:35,904
Mount Molehill, this whole Clearway
Law thing isn't something that
50
00:03:35,904 --> 00:03:37,484
I had a previous interest in.
51
00:03:37,484 --> 00:03:38,064
Rather, Take care.
52
00:03:38,385 --> 00:03:42,475
It's something that was foisted upon
me while I was attempting to unwind
53
00:03:42,485 --> 00:03:44,645
one evening and watch some Star Trek.
54
00:03:45,205 --> 00:03:49,804
And so, I didn't really have a good place
to start with this one other than simply
55
00:03:49,805 --> 00:03:54,214
doing a Google search for the phrase,
someone needs to stop clearway law.
56
00:03:54,754 --> 00:03:57,585
And the first thing that popped
up was an article published on
57
00:03:57,585 --> 00:03:59,875
September 20th, 2022 on lawnews.
58
00:04:00,785 --> 00:04:01,115
co.
59
00:04:01,115 --> 00:04:05,855
uk titled, What is the
Clearway Law Controversy About?
60
00:04:06,450 --> 00:04:10,760
The article begins by describing a
recent defamation judgment in favor
61
00:04:10,760 --> 00:04:15,660
of a British Columbia Canada based
construction materials business against a
62
00:04:15,660 --> 00:04:20,159
customer who was leaving negative reviews
for the business on Google and Yelp.
63
00:04:20,610 --> 00:04:25,659
The article uses this case as an example
of why, quote, this should make people who
64
00:04:25,659 --> 00:04:30,469
try to tear down businesses with untrue
statements online worried, end quote.
65
00:04:31,080 --> 00:04:36,150
The article then quickly pivots to the
so called Clearway Law controversy, and
66
00:04:36,150 --> 00:04:40,350
the author of the article recounts how
their business, Clearway Law, a website
67
00:04:40,350 --> 00:04:44,340
that allows people to rate the performance
of their lawyers, has allegedly
68
00:04:44,340 --> 00:04:48,419
been defamed online by the marketing
manager of a law firm in Toronto.
69
00:04:49,030 --> 00:04:53,030
This marketing manager, the author
alleges, had been making inflammatory
70
00:04:53,040 --> 00:04:57,145
posts on Reddit about Clearway Law,
And even went as far as hiring a
71
00:04:57,145 --> 00:05:01,045
company that runs reddit bot accounts
to harass reddit members of a
72
00:05:01,065 --> 00:05:05,925
particular subreddit and leave one star
reviews for clearway law on google.
73
00:05:06,624 --> 00:05:10,844
It's all very confusing, and reading the
article feels as though I've walked into
74
00:05:10,844 --> 00:05:14,995
the middle of a three hour movie and I'm
struggling to make heads or tails of it.
75
00:05:15,665 --> 00:05:19,795
The byline of the article claims that
it was written by one Helen Greeney, but
76
00:05:19,805 --> 00:05:25,220
the bottom of the article states, quote,
Author, Alastair Vigier, is the CEO of
77
00:05:25,220 --> 00:05:29,470
Clearway Law, a company that wants to
change the legal industry via lawyer
78
00:05:29,470 --> 00:05:31,749
reviews and a legal question forum.
79
00:05:31,980 --> 00:05:32,640
End quote.
80
00:05:33,219 --> 00:05:37,400
I can already tell that this whole thing
is going to be very difficult to parse.
81
00:05:37,920 --> 00:05:42,280
And the fact that all of this has to do
with lawyers and law firms is making me
82
00:05:42,280 --> 00:05:47,130
a bit uncomfortable because obviously, I
don't want to say anything that can get
83
00:05:47,130 --> 00:05:49,440
myself into any sort of legal trouble.
84
00:05:49,970 --> 00:05:52,970
So, I'm going to be very
careful here not to make any
85
00:05:52,970 --> 00:05:55,020
claims or draw any conclusions.
86
00:05:55,350 --> 00:05:58,840
I'm simply going to compile the
information that is available to
87
00:05:58,840 --> 00:06:02,920
me about this so called controversy
and allow you, the audience, to
88
00:06:02,920 --> 00:06:04,360
come to your own conclusions.
89
00:06:05,340 --> 00:06:09,260
First things first, what
exactly is Clearway Law?
90
00:06:09,835 --> 00:06:14,045
According to statements made by Alastair
Vigier, CEO and founder at Clearway
91
00:06:14,065 --> 00:06:19,165
Law, in a YouTube video titled About
Clearway Law, posted on September 16,
92
00:06:19,214 --> 00:06:24,945
2022 by an account named Clearway Law,
the goal of Clearway Law is to, quote,
93
00:06:25,324 --> 00:06:29,825
matchmake between people that are
serious about hiring a lawyer, end quote.
94
00:06:30,595 --> 00:06:34,185
In the video, when asked how
Clearway Law accomplishes this goal,
95
00:06:34,405 --> 00:06:38,765
Vigier states, quote, The primary
way is through a rating system.
96
00:06:38,975 --> 00:06:42,064
We want to get as many ratings
for lawyers as possible.
97
00:06:42,294 --> 00:06:45,905
We're really just looking, at the end of
the day, for lawyers that want to make a
98
00:06:45,905 --> 00:06:48,084
difference and want to actually help out.
99
00:06:48,534 --> 00:06:49,195
End quote.
100
00:06:50,155 --> 00:06:53,214
So basically, it's like
a Yelp for lawyers.
101
00:06:54,054 --> 00:06:56,394
I decided to jump on clearwaylaw.
102
00:06:56,445 --> 00:06:58,534
com and have a look for myself.
103
00:06:59,020 --> 00:07:02,819
There's a search engine where,
ostensibly, you can search for an
104
00:07:02,819 --> 00:07:08,029
attorney by name, what type of law they
practice, where they practice, etc.
105
00:07:08,469 --> 00:07:12,429
After selecting a lawyer's profile
from the list of results, you can
106
00:07:12,429 --> 00:07:16,809
see some basic information about them
such as their education, practice
107
00:07:16,809 --> 00:07:19,369
areas, firm name, and firm location.
108
00:07:19,984 --> 00:07:22,994
You can also leave reviews
for lawyers, which is the main
109
00:07:23,044 --> 00:07:24,405
selling point of the site.
110
00:07:24,864 --> 00:07:29,305
However, the search function does not
allow you to sort or filter results
111
00:07:29,305 --> 00:07:31,794
by lawyer rating or number of reviews.
112
00:07:32,234 --> 00:07:35,664
So I found it difficult to find a
lawyer that would be recommended
113
00:07:35,675 --> 00:07:38,034
based on the Clearway rating system.
114
00:07:38,555 --> 00:07:42,055
In fact, I clicked on a bunch of
lawyer profiles on the site and was
115
00:07:42,055 --> 00:07:46,205
unable to find any that actually
had any reviews on the site.
116
00:07:47,060 --> 00:07:52,000
That aside, the website does appear to
function as described by Alastair Vigier
117
00:07:52,010 --> 00:07:54,020
in the aforementioned YouTube video.
118
00:07:55,000 --> 00:07:58,140
Okay, so we'll take the answer
to the question of what is
119
00:07:58,140 --> 00:08:00,320
Clearway Law at face value.
120
00:08:00,850 --> 00:08:04,950
It's a website where people can
search for, rate, and review lawyers.
121
00:08:06,120 --> 00:08:10,410
The next questions to tackle are
why does someone need to stop them?
122
00:08:10,600 --> 00:08:13,310
How are they inserting this
message into subtitles for
123
00:08:13,310 --> 00:08:15,130
Star Trek The Next Generation?
124
00:08:15,400 --> 00:08:19,910
And who is behind the someone needs
to stop Clearway Law campaign?
125
00:08:20,740 --> 00:08:24,530
In order to answer this, I decided
to check out the Reddit post that
126
00:08:24,530 --> 00:08:26,230
was referenced in the lawnews.
127
00:08:26,530 --> 00:08:26,870
co.
128
00:08:26,870 --> 00:08:28,090
uk article.
129
00:08:28,705 --> 00:08:35,295
The post submitted by user Jack them
off on December 29th 2022 to the Law
130
00:08:35,325 --> 00:08:41,095
Canada subreddit is titled Alistair
Vigier and Clearway Law using lawyer
131
00:08:41,095 --> 00:08:43,515
profiles without the consent of lawyers.
132
00:08:44,265 --> 00:08:49,635
The body of the post is as follows,
quote, Alistair Vigier puts lawyers
133
00:08:49,635 --> 00:08:54,454
on his website, https: clearwaylaw.
134
00:08:54,464 --> 00:08:59,774
com, without their consent and refuses
to remove the profile upon request.
135
00:09:00,385 --> 00:09:04,745
This should discourage anyone looking
to work with him or seek his services.
136
00:09:05,464 --> 00:09:07,564
He has poor morals and ethics.
137
00:09:07,915 --> 00:09:08,694
Stay away.
138
00:09:09,275 --> 00:09:12,195
Should do something about him
and take down his website.
139
00:09:12,775 --> 00:09:15,425
He is piggybacking on
the hard work of others.
140
00:09:15,425 --> 00:09:15,492
https: clearwaylaw.
141
00:09:15,492 --> 00:09:18,210
com I hope this gets the
coverage it deserves.
142
00:09:18,770 --> 00:09:19,170
Edit.
143
00:09:19,420 --> 00:09:22,410
No, I am not the one
behind the open subtitles.
144
00:09:22,720 --> 00:09:23,840
Stop asking me.
145
00:09:24,430 --> 00:09:26,870
Update October 2022.
146
00:09:27,360 --> 00:09:31,460
The LSO has confirmed they already
have a case file number and is
147
00:09:31,460 --> 00:09:33,550
currently investigating the situation.
148
00:09:35,955 --> 00:09:41,275
So, based on this post, the answer to
why clearway law should be stopped is
149
00:09:41,275 --> 00:09:45,305
because the website allegedly posts
information about lawyers without
150
00:09:45,305 --> 00:09:49,744
their consent and then refuses to
remove their profiles upon request.
151
00:09:50,265 --> 00:09:54,814
The responses to the post range
from supportive of clearway law to
152
00:09:54,855 --> 00:10:00,935
antagonistic towards CEO Alastair
Vigier to, like myself, Bewildered as
153
00:10:00,944 --> 00:10:05,234
to why a subtitle about Clearway Law
had been inserted into the subs of
154
00:10:05,234 --> 00:10:07,144
their favorite TV shows and movies.
155
00:10:07,615 --> 00:10:11,845
Apparently, Star Trek The Next Generation
is not the only piece of media in which
156
00:10:11,865 --> 00:10:16,085
the Someone Needs to Stop Clearway
Law message appears in the subtitles.
157
00:10:16,725 --> 00:10:21,504
Reddit users listed a variety of other
shows and movies such as Better Call
158
00:10:21,505 --> 00:10:27,345
Saul, Ted Lasso, Ghost in the Shell,
Twin Peaks, La Brea, King of the Hill,
159
00:10:27,495 --> 00:10:30,625
Atlanta, Bones, Survivor, and others.
160
00:10:33,350 --> 00:10:37,660
Well, Reddit user Anticino has a
theory about that, which he posted
161
00:10:37,660 --> 00:10:42,000
as a response to a separate Reddit
thread posted to the piracy subreddit
162
00:10:42,040 --> 00:10:49,149
on August 16, 2022 titled ClearwayLaw?
163
00:10:49,300 --> 00:10:50,459
in my subtitles.
164
00:10:51,470 --> 00:10:56,465
Anticino posits quote, If you were
really trying to stop somebody from
165
00:10:56,465 --> 00:11:00,095
doing something, you wouldn't make
your one key point in limited available
166
00:11:00,105 --> 00:11:04,335
space something that is obviously not
an issue and should be widely accepted.
167
00:11:04,575 --> 00:11:06,635
Like reviewing a business or lawyer.
168
00:11:07,005 --> 00:11:10,725
It's worded specifically
so I go, What the f Why?
169
00:11:10,915 --> 00:11:11,655
And look it up.
170
00:11:11,714 --> 00:11:15,714
Then, finding their website or
an article, most likely by them,
171
00:11:15,904 --> 00:11:18,194
about the fabricated conspiracy.
172
00:11:18,699 --> 00:11:23,189
Add on the fact that Clearway Law
itself has been posting articles titled
173
00:11:23,199 --> 00:11:27,250
things like, What is all the Clearway
Conspiracy about that are basically
174
00:11:27,250 --> 00:11:29,360
just advertisements and it's clear?
175
00:11:29,870 --> 00:11:33,609
They're trying to act like there is
some big controversy to get people to
176
00:11:33,610 --> 00:11:37,599
check out who they are and hopefully
start using the services to stick
177
00:11:37,599 --> 00:11:40,920
it to the big baddies trying to
stop them from reviewing lawyers.
178
00:11:41,615 --> 00:11:44,765
Anybody can request who
paid for advertising on open
179
00:11:44,765 --> 00:11:46,574
subtitles or anywhere else.
180
00:11:47,214 --> 00:11:51,514
I'm pretty sure that if I contacted
them about this, user Clearway Law
181
00:11:51,525 --> 00:11:55,405
would be the one that placed the ads,
or somebody affiliated with them.
182
00:11:57,824 --> 00:12:01,274
So it seems that the answer to
how this message ended up in
183
00:12:01,274 --> 00:12:04,165
subtitles is paid advertising.
184
00:12:04,685 --> 00:12:06,685
And here's basically how that works.
185
00:12:07,295 --> 00:12:11,355
Pretty much everyone is familiar
with how a streaming service such
186
00:12:11,355 --> 00:12:13,885
as Netflix or Paramount Plus works.
187
00:12:14,305 --> 00:12:18,455
You pay a monthly fee in exchange
for video content that this streaming
188
00:12:18,455 --> 00:12:20,404
service has produced or licensed.
189
00:12:21,189 --> 00:12:24,620
But there are other streaming
services, most notably one called
190
00:12:24,670 --> 00:12:26,750
Plex, where that is not the case.
191
00:12:27,569 --> 00:12:31,040
With Plex, the content
is provided by the user.
192
00:12:31,730 --> 00:12:36,750
Let's say that I have the DVD box set
of Everybody Loves Raymond, and I want
193
00:12:36,750 --> 00:12:40,899
to be able to watch it without the
hassle of actually using a DVD player.
194
00:12:41,449 --> 00:12:43,699
That's where a service like Plex comes in.
195
00:12:44,110 --> 00:12:49,510
I would rip my Everybody Loves Raymond
DVDs onto my computer, set up a Plex
196
00:12:49,519 --> 00:12:55,110
media server, set up the Plex app on my
smart TV, and then I'd be able to stream
197
00:12:55,110 --> 00:12:59,330
the show in pretty much the same way that
I would on any other streaming service.
198
00:13:00,100 --> 00:13:03,490
The main difference is that I
am the one hosting the content,
199
00:13:03,760 --> 00:13:05,250
not the streaming service.
200
00:13:06,035 --> 00:13:10,035
That's not the only difference
when you turn on subtitles on a
201
00:13:10,035 --> 00:13:13,935
movie using a traditional streaming
service such as Netflix, the
202
00:13:13,935 --> 00:13:16,725
subtitles are provided by Netflix.
203
00:13:17,525 --> 00:13:20,435
Plex does not provide
subtitles of its own.
204
00:13:20,435 --> 00:13:24,905
Rather, it pulls subtitles from
a variety of online sources, one
205
00:13:24,935 --> 00:13:27,365
of which is open subtitles.org.
206
00:13:27,790 --> 00:13:29,079
And Opensubtitles.
207
00:13:29,079 --> 00:13:33,699
org uses paid advertising in their
subtitles as a revenue stream.
208
00:13:34,290 --> 00:13:39,329
The way this works is someone pays
for ad space on Open Subtitles, and
209
00:13:39,329 --> 00:13:43,669
their ads are dynamically inserted
into empty spaces in subtitles when
210
00:13:43,670 --> 00:13:45,589
there is nobody speaking in the film.
211
00:13:45,999 --> 00:13:49,439
Like that brief pause in the
episode of The Next Generation.
212
00:13:49,550 --> 00:13:50,380
by the damn fringes.
213
00:13:51,185 --> 00:13:52,344
I need more information.
214
00:13:53,324 --> 00:13:54,614
What the hell are they using?
215
00:14:06,415 --> 00:14:08,815
Obviously we've underestimated
their technology, Captain.
216
00:14:09,614 --> 00:14:10,494
Considerably.
217
00:14:11,324 --> 00:14:15,334
So the final question to answer
is, who is behind all of this?
218
00:14:15,925 --> 00:14:21,304
Let's go back to that very first article
written by Clearway CEO Alastair Vigier.
219
00:14:21,875 --> 00:14:25,265
If you'll remember, the article
claims that the Clearway Law smear
220
00:14:25,265 --> 00:14:29,785
campaign is being perpetuated by,
quote, the marketing manager of
221
00:14:29,785 --> 00:14:32,115
a law firm in Toronto, end quote.
222
00:14:32,675 --> 00:14:37,665
The article goes on to say, quote, He
contacted me and demanded I took down the
223
00:14:37,665 --> 00:14:40,275
profiles of all the lawyers at his firm.
224
00:14:40,814 --> 00:14:44,705
He said only he could control the
online reputation of his lawyers.
225
00:14:45,454 --> 00:14:49,564
He also posted that I was a
molester on Google Maps, which
226
00:14:49,564 --> 00:14:51,375
was later removed by Google.
227
00:14:51,954 --> 00:14:56,314
A few of the lawyers who got bad reviews
on Clearway now leave posts all over
228
00:14:56,314 --> 00:15:00,675
the internet which say things like,
someone needs to stop Clearway law.
229
00:15:01,305 --> 00:15:05,055
It's unbelievable, but one lawyer
even took out an advertisement
230
00:15:05,074 --> 00:15:06,525
on a subtitle website.
231
00:15:07,135 --> 00:15:09,525
Their advertisements have been successful.
232
00:15:09,985 --> 00:15:14,155
Once they started the advertisements,
the Google searches for my company went
233
00:15:14,155 --> 00:15:17,585
from 1, 000 people a month to 35, 000.
234
00:15:18,224 --> 00:15:23,495
While I was writing this article, Jack
TheMov, the same person who is posting the
235
00:15:23,495 --> 00:15:29,140
Reddit posts and emailing us weekly, Re
uploaded a review that Google has removed
236
00:15:29,180 --> 00:15:32,020
three times for being false, end quote.
237
00:15:32,900 --> 00:15:37,229
The article provides a screenshot of
the Google review from Jack the Mob,
238
00:15:37,239 --> 00:15:41,700
which says, quote, Alastair Vigier
and his law firm were shut down
239
00:15:41,700 --> 00:15:43,910
for securities fraud in Vancouver.
240
00:15:44,490 --> 00:15:48,210
He uses lawyer profiles without
consent to act like he's a
241
00:15:48,220 --> 00:15:50,069
big legal service provider.
242
00:15:51,600 --> 00:15:56,149
This accusation of securities fraud,
along with various other personal attacks
243
00:15:56,149 --> 00:16:01,339
on Alastair Vigier, is repeated on the
Reddit post submitted by JackTheMov.
244
00:16:01,930 --> 00:16:06,000
I was unable to find any evidence
regarding any such incident.
245
00:16:06,520 --> 00:16:08,740
But there were some other
claims of professional
246
00:16:08,740 --> 00:16:10,579
misconduct leveled against Mr.
247
00:16:10,579 --> 00:16:14,069
Vigier in the Reddit thread
made by user MontrealLaw.
248
00:16:14,630 --> 00:16:20,130
They claimed, quote, Alistair Vigier
has deceived people throughout his life.
249
00:16:20,359 --> 00:16:23,680
He was a weekend warrior in
the military for a year and
250
00:16:23,680 --> 00:16:25,520
barely served in the military.
251
00:16:26,074 --> 00:16:29,454
He created chaos with multiple
businesses in Victoria.
252
00:16:29,735 --> 00:16:34,715
He hangs his hat on the whole 30
under 30 BS, but it was based on lies.
253
00:16:35,459 --> 00:16:38,489
He literally bankrupted
a law firm in Victoria.
254
00:16:39,060 --> 00:16:43,109
He expended his father's money on a
pipe dream with nothing to show for it.
255
00:16:43,640 --> 00:16:45,129
And I can go on and on.
256
00:16:45,489 --> 00:16:46,170
End quote.
257
00:16:46,780 --> 00:16:50,390
Again, I was unable to find
any evidence to support this.
258
00:16:50,969 --> 00:16:54,459
Now the reason that I bring all of
this up is because there are so far
259
00:16:54,459 --> 00:16:57,780
two explanations for the question
of who is behind all of this.
260
00:16:58,670 --> 00:17:02,840
One is the explanation provided
by Alistair Vigier, that his
261
00:17:02,840 --> 00:17:06,120
website has ruffled some feathers
and now there is someone leading
262
00:17:06,120 --> 00:17:07,920
a smear campaign against him.
263
00:17:08,720 --> 00:17:13,779
The other, provided by Reddit user
Antocino, is that this is all a publicity
264
00:17:13,780 --> 00:17:16,270
stunt masterminded by Vigier himself.
265
00:17:16,974 --> 00:17:21,395
Although that may sound cynical, it's
not outside the realm of possibility
266
00:17:21,395 --> 00:17:23,474
in this day and age of viral marketing.
267
00:17:24,035 --> 00:17:27,795
But if a person were trying to promote
their business, would they really
268
00:17:27,825 --> 00:17:31,775
pay for sockpuppet accounts to leave
reviews and comments calling them a
269
00:17:31,775 --> 00:17:34,265
molester, fraud, or weekend warrior?
270
00:17:34,834 --> 00:17:38,975
Sure, it might get some publicity, and
even Vigier himself stated in his article
271
00:17:38,975 --> 00:17:43,095
that traffic to his website had increased
dramatically, but, I don't know, it just
272
00:17:43,095 --> 00:17:46,195
doesn't sound like that's 100% the case.
273
00:17:47,010 --> 00:17:51,800
And I think the positive responses to
the Reddit post also provide further
274
00:17:51,800 --> 00:17:56,670
support that the whole someone needs
to stop Clearway law controversy is not
275
00:17:56,680 --> 00:17:58,900
totally perpetuated by fake accounts.
276
00:17:59,740 --> 00:18:06,370
One, from user newblackberry6623,
says, quote, Doesn't sound unethical,
277
00:18:06,420 --> 00:18:08,010
leaving reviews from the public.
278
00:18:08,139 --> 00:18:09,500
Sounds like a great idea.
279
00:18:09,610 --> 00:18:12,980
Something the lawyer can't
modify or spam with fake reviews.
280
00:18:13,609 --> 00:18:16,419
A lawyer and their phone number
sounds like yellow pages.
281
00:18:16,669 --> 00:18:17,669
Public knowledge.
282
00:18:18,165 --> 00:18:22,534
I've used several attorneys and had
some s t service, so I'd like to find
283
00:18:22,544 --> 00:18:26,145
accurate reviews from a working man
when I'm spending a week's paycheck
284
00:18:26,155 --> 00:18:31,054
for one hour of their work that they
pay an assistant or paralegal 20 for.
285
00:18:31,644 --> 00:18:33,904
My best lawyer was a public defender.
286
00:18:34,074 --> 00:18:36,134
Most of them morons with no clue.
287
00:18:36,464 --> 00:18:38,944
I actually had to educate
myself and guide them.
288
00:18:39,224 --> 00:18:42,104
America's justice system
really needs reform.
289
00:18:42,494 --> 00:18:43,175
End quote.
290
00:18:43,975 --> 00:18:49,445
Another response from user DesperateTrip9
says, quote, It's just a site that
291
00:18:49,445 --> 00:18:53,705
reviews lawyers, and lawyers are super
scared of people giving accurate reviews
292
00:18:53,705 --> 00:18:55,524
of how they've conducted themselves.
293
00:18:56,135 --> 00:18:59,595
Also, I saw at one point, somebody
said that as officers of the
294
00:18:59,595 --> 00:19:02,725
court, you shouldn't be able to
post reviews about them because
295
00:19:02,735 --> 00:19:04,415
they're officers of the court.
296
00:19:05,090 --> 00:19:10,710
But following that logic, if you're saying
that being officers is the court is some
297
00:19:10,740 --> 00:19:14,970
kind of legal standing, that you are a
part of the court that makes you a part
298
00:19:15,000 --> 00:19:20,250
of the legislative branch, which de facto
says that you consider yourself a part
299
00:19:20,250 --> 00:19:23,940
of the government, which means that you
are a public person, which means that you
300
00:19:23,940 --> 00:19:28,950
can't shut down people for speaking about
you because it is protected by the First
301
00:19:28,950 --> 00:19:31,149
Amendment, which specifically says...
302
00:19:36,980 --> 00:19:42,109
And while neither of those responses
is particularly eloquent or even
303
00:19:42,109 --> 00:19:46,920
at times coherent, I did choose
both of them for a specific reason.
304
00:19:47,480 --> 00:19:51,480
Because it's important to point out
that both of these responses reference
305
00:19:51,520 --> 00:19:56,640
the American legal system and that
Clearway Law is a Canadian company that
306
00:19:56,640 --> 00:19:59,060
catalogs and rates Canadian lawyers.
307
00:19:59,540 --> 00:20:03,990
If someone were paying sockpuppet accounts
to defend their business in the midst of a
308
00:20:03,990 --> 00:20:09,070
manufactured controversy, wouldn't they at
least make sure that their comments were
309
00:20:09,129 --> 00:20:11,179
pertinent to the business in question?
310
00:20:12,469 --> 00:20:16,880
There is a third possibility that's
sort of a combination of the other two.
311
00:20:17,500 --> 00:20:22,250
It is possible that the someone needs
to stop clearway law controversy was
312
00:20:22,250 --> 00:20:26,850
a manufactured one, but that once it
was put out into the world, It took
313
00:20:26,850 --> 00:20:31,379
on a life of its own and started to
generate some actual controversy and
314
00:20:31,409 --> 00:20:34,839
negative publicity for Clearway Law.
315
00:20:35,460 --> 00:20:37,799
I don't think we'll ever really know.
316
00:20:42,229 --> 00:20:47,049
And that's pretty much it for this
week's mystery, which I apologize if it
317
00:20:47,050 --> 00:20:49,379
feels like it didn't really go anywhere.
318
00:20:49,979 --> 00:20:53,979
I did find some other information
about this, but like I said at
319
00:20:53,979 --> 00:20:57,580
the beginning of this episode, I
really don't want to get myself into
320
00:20:57,580 --> 00:20:59,459
any sort of legal trouble, so...
321
00:20:59,899 --> 00:21:02,310
Again, I'm not making any claims.
322
00:21:02,830 --> 00:21:07,550
I'm just presenting you guys with some of
the information that I found and opening
323
00:21:07,550 --> 00:21:09,830
it up to the Mount Mole Hill audience.
324
00:21:10,469 --> 00:21:11,600
Let me know what you think.
325
00:21:12,200 --> 00:21:17,209
What is going on with the so
called Clearway Law controversy?
326
00:21:23,649 --> 00:21:26,490
Mount Mole Hill is
written, produced, Bainter.
327
00:21:30,864 --> 00:21:35,475
All other voices featured in this episode,
apart from my own, are computer generated.
328
00:21:36,094 --> 00:21:39,934
All of the sources used in this
episode can be found in the show notes.
329
00:21:40,554 --> 00:21:44,904
This podcast features materials protected
by the Fair Use Guidelines of Section
330
00:21:44,904 --> 00:21:49,564
107 of the Copyright Act, all rights
reserved to the copyright owners.
331
00:21:50,765 --> 00:21:54,035
If you have a molehill that you'd like
me to turn into a mountain, whether it's
332
00:21:54,035 --> 00:21:57,815
a mystery that you just can't solve,
or just an interesting topic you'd like
333
00:21:57,815 --> 00:21:59,915
me to delve into, please reach out.
334
00:22:00,545 --> 00:22:05,885
You can email me at Mountain Molehill
podcast@gmail.com, or you can call
335
00:22:05,885 --> 00:22:08,435
and leave me a voicemail at 5 0 5.
336
00:22:09,490 --> 00:22:10,970
218 6894.
337
00:22:11,750 --> 00:22:16,140
Follow us on Instagram to see updates
and supplemental material for the show.
338
00:22:17,010 --> 00:22:21,239
Thanks for listening, I'll be back
with another episode in two weeks.
