Big Stone Publishing Files Counter Suit Against Primedia

Big Stone Publishing, Rock and Ice, and Duane Raleigh filed a counter suit against
Primedia/Climbing magazine in federal court in Denver. The suit alleges damages including libel, violation of the Colorado Consumer Protection Act, invasion of privacy, and additionally seeks punitive damages. “We did not want to do this, and would have much preferred to come to an amicable agreement with Primedia outside of the courts,” Raleigh told SNEWS® when contacted for comment. “We were still in the process of what I believed were very agreeable negotiations, but we came up against the court-mandated deadline of Aug. 28 to respond to Primedia’s suit. Since we still had not reached an agreement, we were left with no choice but to categorically deny the claims and file a counter.” Bob Mignogna, group publisher of the Active Outdoor Group, which includes Climbing magazine and Canoe & Kayak, told SNEWS® simply that, “Both sides are working toward what we consider a fair resolution of the matter.”

SNEWS® View: Oh boy! Lawyers making more money. While the industry struggles, we can safely say the legal profession is profiting greatly, thanks to all the business we keep tossing their way. Now Primedia has to answer Big Stone’s suit. This is NOT good for the industry, certainly has to be taxing for a small company like Big Stone, and is also a negative blemish on the publicly-traded Primedia books which ain’t been looking too great of late.