theregister.com/content/6/34955.html -> www.theregister.com/2004/01/19/microsoft_lawyers_threaten_mike_rowe/
I had spent a lot of time building up my site and I had only been offered $10 for my work. I responded by asking for $10,000, which I regret doing now, for my work and domain name. As he now knows, Mike had unwittingly slipped into the classic trap set by companies in order to get hold of domain names - the creation of a bad faith use of the domain. By offering to sell the domain for profit even if sparked by the offer of payment by the other party, according to the bent logic of domain dispute arbitrators, it shows the owner had no legitimate interest in the domain and so it should be handed over. Microsoft, with its case bolstered, declined and Mike heard no more until 14 January when a 25-page letter and book were Fed-Exed to his house explaining why he would have to hand over the domain, stating he had intended all along to sell the domain for profit and that his domain would confuse Microsoft customers. I decided to go to the press when I received the package from the lawyers office. I thought people would be interested in my story and I wanted to know what people had to say about the situation I am in. There is really nothing I can do to push or fight this except for telling people how things are going with the whole situation. The domain dispute is in the hands of the WIPO at the moment so I have no control over what happens to my domain name. Can Microsoft really be attempting to take a phonetic-sounding domain name? Well, Mike is reassuringly candid and although we have not seen Microsofts letter and the company has yet to confirm or deny its threats are real, it seems to hang together. Unless Mike is a first-rate hoaxer, it would appear that Microsoft really has lost the plot and is trying to extend the already flawed domain dispute rules into hitherto unexplored territory. By making the situation public though, Mike tells us he has been bolstered. After going to the press, I have realised that I should stick it out till the end. After the massive amount of support I have received from people across the globe I am motivated to stick with what I believe in. It would seem Microsoft has no choice but to back down as, legally, it doesnt have a hope in hell of winning and there are plenty of lawyers out there who would love to get a win against Microsoft under their belt. Mike doesnt quite know what to make of it all: I cant say I have ever been in a more surreal situation than this. I dont know what to say about it, I have just been going with the flow. Related stories Patent lawyer puts claim to entire Internet Internet fools gold sparks Nigerian fiasco Niue is dead!
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