In the past little while, we at BME have received e-mails from many of you complaining about the website at www.bme.com. Your concerns, namely, have centered around the site’s design, and that its links never led anywhere — and certainly not to BME content. This is the most recent version of the website.

More versions can be viewed here: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5.

This was not our website. We did not authorize it. We certainly did not approve of it. Worse yet, after investigating, we learned that this was a pay-per-click site. In other words, when people went to that site looking for BME, if they clicked on any of the bogus links, they put money into the owner’s pocket. This was a classic trademark infringement/cyber-squatting scam. Evidence that visitors reaching BME.com were often searching for ModBlog or BMEvideo can be seen here.

The site’s owner was a man by the name of Greg Ricks. He gets sued for this kind of thing all the time.

Despite the fact that we could have sued him in court, seeking damages, we tried to resolve this amicably.

When that failed, instead of trying to collect money in court, we filed an arbitration before the World Intellectual Property Organization (view the complaint here). They responded (their response is here), and all three judges, including a judge they hand-picked, ruled unanimously in our favor. (View their decision here.)

Immediately after losing the decision, the cybersquatter tried to shake us down for $100,000 in exchange for not filing a lawsuit against us. When we refused to be intimidated, of all things, he sued us. (View his complaint here.)

Now he claims, ridiculously enough, that he, and not BME, is the “real” BME.

Naturally, the cybersquatter has already begun to manipulate the evidence. He tried to scrub the Internet Archive of evidence and gamed the search engines so that things look much different than they have to this point.

During this fight, we’d like to call upon the BME community to help keep an eye on things.

If you see any evidence that you think might be helpful in showing that we are, have always been, and will always be BME, we’d like to know. We have set up a special email address at legal@bmezine.com. Feel free to send in anything you might find.

We are prepared to defend ourselves against this frivolous lawsuit through all appropriate means. We will keep you posted as things develop. You made BME the great community it is today and we need your help to keep it that way!

Please take the time to place links to BME on any websites that you can. It doesn’t matter if it’s your MySpace or your personal blog. Anywhere that you can put our links and banners are appreciated!

There may be an issue with the venue for Phil’s photography exhibition, there’s a chance the date may have to be changed.

Check back for details!

By Karen Ellis.

“Take advantage of the wonderful services offered by Kim and Karen, and look even more beautiful than you already do!”

Makeup services include regular or airbrush makeup application.

Cost: $45.00 CAD.

“Like Kim, I will need advance booking. I can take six people between 2pm and 5pm at the hotel. However, if you wish to have your makeup done earlier I can make myself available for you as long as I have advance notice.

I do require a $20 CAD deposit to confirm your appointment.

I work at:

Industry Cosmetics and Beauty Supply,
490 Yonge St,
Toronto.

We’re located in the heart of Downtown Toronto, just steps away from Buddies in Bad Times theatre.

You can call the store with your credit card number at 416-925-0462, or feel free stop by if it’s convenient for you to leave your deposit. Alternatively (if you have a special look in mind) you can or book a consultation!”

Should anyone fall ill, require the morning after pill or be unable to stem the bleeding during the BMEfest weekend here’s a list of walk-in clinics that can help..

Bay Wellesley Medical Services & Walk-In Clinic.

984 Bay (north of Wellesley Street, across the street from the Sutton Place Hotel).
Monday to Thursday: 9 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Friday: 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Phone: 416-929-1900

The Doctor’s Office.

595 Bay (at Edward Street).
Monday to Friday: 8 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Saturday: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Sunday: 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Phone: 416 -598 -1703

Health First.

345 Bloor Street East (at Sherbourne Street, in the Greenwin Mall).
Monday to Thursday: 9 a.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Friday: 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Saturday: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Sunday: 12 noon – 5 p.m.
Phone: 416-515-0590

And of course there’s The Hassle Free Clinic for all your morning after needs.

If you do not have an Ontario Health Card or travelling medical insurance you will have to pay for your visit, usually about $50 plus whatever medication they prescribe.

Finally, we recommend you telephone a clinic in advance to ensure the clinic will be open and a doctor will be available when you plan to arrive.

The Royal Ontario Museum has just unveiled it’s giant new wing, The Crystal! If you want a really neat cultural experience whilst you’re in Toronto for BMEfest I thoroughly recommend the ROM!

Until August 6, 2007

“Discover a magnificent cache of long-hidden golden treasures from the Sicán civilization, a mysterious pre-Inca people who prospered off the northern coast of Peru as early as AD 700. This extraordinary exhibition showcases over 120 elaborately-crafted headdresses, crowns, pieces of pottery and jewellery, uncovered in an undisturbed, gold-filled tomb that is one of modern archaeology’s greatest finds.

The Sicán culture has been largely overshadowed by the more well-known and powerful Inca civilization. Little is known about the Sicán, only that they were skilled metallurgists, traders and seafarers who controlled a large expanse of coastal desert and fertile river valleys in northern Peru. Their culture is hallmarked by technically and artistically sophisticated art, pottery, architecture and religious artifacts.

Some of these artifacts were excavated in one of the most important archaeological sites in South America: Batán Grande, a sprawling complex of adobe pyramids and plazas, considered by the Sicán to be their religious centre. It was also the principal burial ground for their royalty. Ancient Peru Unearthed examines these remarkable finds and explores the rich history and artistry of this enigmatic civilization.

This exhibition has been financially assisted by the Ontario Cultural Attractions Fund, a program of the Government of Ontario through the Ministry of Culture, administered by the Ontario Cultural Attractions Fund Corporation.”

Phil recently received an interesting (and unsolicited) review from a publishing agent in San Francisco, he assumed it was a sales pitch but she had this to say about his work:

“To say that I was shocked by the pictures you posted on your website (details courtesy of Lightstalkers) is an understatement. However, I must appreciate the fact that your pictures depicting the limits of the flesh are one-of-a-kind, and that they deserve to be preserved in the form of a book.”

If you are interested in seeing his work he has an opening at Blackline Studio as part of their one year anniversary party on June 22nd. There will be more details posted on their site soon. The show will also run until the middle of July so if you are in town for BMEfest I recommend you check it out!

Also, check out his personal site (PhilipBarbosa.com) if you’d like to see the show in miniature on your monitor.

If you want to get tattooed whilst you are in town for BMEfest I recommend you check out Rev. Matt Ellis for really nice custom tattoo work! Matt has tattooed some of the BMEstaff and a lot of our friends as well. I have confirmed with Matt that he does do genital tattoos so if you fancy adding a little colour to your fiddly bits he will be happy to accommodate you*.

Here’s a small selection of his work..

	He is currently taking appointments but is quickly filling up for that week so make sure you contact him right away! You can find Matt at RevMattEllis.com/ or WayCool Uptown, which is a five minute walk from the Sheppard subway stop and Yonge and Sheppard.

*Genital tattoos are $400 Minimum with a 50% deposit required at the time of booking.

Big News! To coincide with upcoming BME Toronto events: BMEfest 2007 and MODPROM 2, BME will also be hosting a small private suspension seminar class for body art professionals only. The class will be led and taught by Allen Falkner (suspension.org/TSD) and assisted by some of the most well trained professional suspension practitioners in the world. Confirmed teaching assistants are Emrys Yetz, Jill Allen, Jon Pett and Jason Shaw with possibly more to be announced.

The Suspension School Seminar is a rare opportunity for piercers to further raise their skill level and become a strong and active part of almost any suspension team/event. Due to the nature of the class and that we only have one day to present the seminar emphasis will be placed on safety as well as the practical discipline and mechanical practice behind how body suspension works as well as an important lecture on the history of modern body suspension.

This is an intermediate/advanced level course, so it’s primarily intended for piercers and people who already have a solid and practical understanding of skin, contamination control, and so on (no suspension-specific experience is needed) but you must already be able to demonstrate a professional understanding of bloodborne pathogens & the principles of infection control.

To ensure that everyone has a complete hands on experience the class is kept small, only be 15 student spots are available. There is a charge to attend the seminar approx $200 CAD to cover costs (like supplies, space rental and flying up the instructors!). There will be a few scholarship spots available to apply for as well so don’t stress it if you don’t have any money*, we want to help you out.

If you’d like to come to learn, please sign the RSVP on the Events page and we will contact you as soon as registration opens up. The class will also require a few suspension “test subjects” for the students to work on, if you would like to apply for this please email me** and I will reply with an application form, there are No Guarantees you will be selected.

And finally lets all remember that “Rome Was Not Built In A Day” and as professionals you all did not learn to pierce overnight. It is our goal with the seminar is to educate and empower you further as body art professionals. This class will not certify anyone to be a solo suspension practitioner but more a really strong addition to any professional suspension team where you will further gain experience and confidence in your practice.

We are actively looking for sponsors for the event if you have something you can offer offer please contact me for our sponsors wish list.

If you have any questions please email me at hookerschool@gmail.com

*Scholarship application requests may be forwarded to hookerschool@gmail.com with the email title “scholarship application request”. You will then be sent the application to fill out and reply by June 1, 2007, no later!

**Student Test Subjects or guinea pig application requests can be emailed to hookerschool@gmail.com with the subject tittle “Student Test Subject”.

There will be 10-15 student spots, and there will be some opportunity for others to suspend as well (but this is not a SusCon — it’s a teaching event). There will be a charge to cover costs (like flying up the instructors!), but there will be scholarships as well so don’t stress it if you don’t have any money. If you’d like to come to learn, please sign the RSVP list and let us know what you’d like to learn in the course so we can taylor it to everyone’s needs.

This is the first ever BME Scene Points Scavenger Hunt Game!

The point of the game is to collect/earn as many punches on your scene point punch card.

The game starts when BME fest starts! the game ends when someone brings me a fully punched and initialed scene point punch card*.

When you arrive at BMEfest find me and ask for a card you will be given a punch card and asked to initial the back agreeing to the games rules. There will be 20 people well known to the community for the day will be known as givers of IAM/BME scene points. You are off to figure out who is giving out scene points and start collecting.

The card will contain 20 spots with a visual clue as to the scene point givers identity’s and perhaps how you will have to earn your scene point. some will clearly be easy and some will require a little thinking.

Once discovered a scene point giver may not deny they have the ability to give out scene points but they can refuse to give you a scene point unless you agree to their ridiculous or simple request. players have the ability to negotiate with scene point givers until both parties agree to what will earn a scene point punch. You can never be out right refused a scene point but you might have to work and negotaite for it a little. You are not allowed and will not be required to do anything against you own will or anything illegal the scene point givers will have a strict code of ethics to follow. Remember, as on IAM things like lots of mods, suspension scars and having a huge collection of Event shirts will always get you scene points but so will being known as the person who did something really awesome to entertain others at any event.

People who want to play should sign up so i have a vague idea of how many punch cards to make. if you are one of the 20 people that is picked to be a scene point giver you will be invited and never tell anyone! this is an even more secret club then skull and bonesmen. Please, don’t message me demanding to be a scene point giver cause your ears are bigger then everyone else’s… i don’t care… seriosly do you know who i am? The IAM Royalty forum is hosting this event and the people in that forum are the ones that will choose the scene point givers. if you are invited you will be sent a copy of the rules and conditions of this very prestigious honor you will have to very strictly follow.

There is a prize bag of goodies for the winner as well as forever being known as the the first person ever with a recored 20 scene points earned at just one BME BBQ. The contents of the bag will be released to the RSVP list one week before the event. i am currently looking for people help fill that bag with more goodies. contact me with what you have to offer.

-Lets all have fun with this!-

*In the event that no one completes the challenge by the time i have to leave to set up ModProm II the winner with the most punches will be declared.