Microsoft V MikeRoweSoft

paulj13 · 22-01-2004 01:17PM

The reason that Microsoft offered money ($10) is in the hope that the person will counter the offer. If they come back and say “that is a ridiculous offer and I want x amount before even corresponding again”, whether they mean it or not, then M$ can call for the domain on the grounds of cyber squatting. This is a common lawyer tactic to this issue.

In this case MS have back off a little since it’s been getting so much press. However they have in the pass waited for the media to die down and then move in for the kill. This approach is based on the fact that the media will not follow the story again as its ‘yesterdays news’.

My opinion is that this is taking the issue of copyright way to far and the only really winners are a bunch of lawyers who need to justify their position in the company.

22-01-2004 02:49PM

The reason that Microsoft offered money ($10) is in the hope that the person will counter the offer. If they come back and say “that is a ridiculous offer and I want x amount before even corresponding again”, whether they mean it or not, then M$ can call for the domain on the grounds of cyber squatting.

Ahh, but he had a site up before microsoft brought him to bear in regards to the name, so its hardly cyber-squatting.

The domain represents his personal name. Personally, i don't think Microsoft should win this one. Mike Rowe has more of a right to this name, due to the spelling of the domain. But i could be over-ruled in this :dunno:

davil · 22-01-2004 03:34PM

Originally posted by daveirl
Lindows isn't innovative, it's a flawed implementation of an existing OS. Possible more insecure than Windows and that's saying something.

If not for this quote I would have thought you were working for the man Dave.

Anyway I think that Microsoft should lose too. DOWN WITH MICROSOFT I SAY. They deserve it for their lawyers' underhanded tactics. Plus the kid has a right to use his own name in his web address, perhaps he never heard of Microsoft [I swear, it is possible] - either way, hopefully he gets away with his domain name or a load of cash. Good lad.

davil · 22-01-2004 03:56PM

Oh yeah, bloody sure it's anti-MS bias. With everything they put other companies and us consumers through they deserve to lose ALL their money. And they deserve a bit of bias. Hopefully a jury (if it comes to that) will be biased against them. [bear in mind I know f.all about law and there probably wouldn't even be a jury in a case like that, but I don't know that.]

GreeBo · 22-01-2004 04:00PM

do you not think that you having a silly signature like that "Down with microsoft" and then linking to his site that you are hurting his case?

The whole point is that he is nothing to do with Microsoft, wants nothing to do with them and wants his own site left alone.

You are helping Microsoft to prove that he was domain squatting to get ca$h.

Cal · 22-01-2004 05:22PM

If you are giong to link to his site you should get the url right!!!!:ninja:

davil · 23-01-2004 10:18AM

Oh I'm sure that I'm hurting his case, seeing as Microsoft's Lawyers look at this site every day religiously and take my sig on board. Look I'm not going to get into an argument here-been there, done that. I will change my sig because this guy deserves support. But I don't think that the 'Down with Microsoft' is inappropriate. This is what I personally believe should happen. Again with the lack of freedom of speech. This boards thing is no fun if I can't even express my opinion

You are helping Microsoft to prove that he was domain squatting to get ca$h.

Sure I am, yeah. Can you see the bigger picture at all?

eth0_ · 23-01-2004 11:11AM

AFAIK you can have your copyright taken off you if you do nothing to protect it, which could easily extend to phonetically infringing copyright, so MS are within their rights. Petty, but within their rights.
The kid was STUPID, who in their right mind would respond to a box of legal documents MS have fed ex'd to them WITHOUT consulting a lawyer? He deserves this, it'll teach him to think before he answers.

daveirl · 23-01-2004 02:04PM

This post has been deleted.

GreeBo · 23-01-2004 03:20PM

Originally posted by davil

Sure I am, yeah. Can you see the bigger picture at all?

Well the guy is trying to prove that he setup the website as a legitimate business and not as some means of getting money from Microsoft.

Adding slogans saying "Down with microsoft" beside an (incorrect) link to his website does nothing to help him.:dunno:

Doctor J · 26-01-2004 10:38AM

I imagine it's only a matter of time before Microsoft start sueing people with Multiple Sclerosis, claiming copyright infringement.

parasite · 26-01-2004 01:15PM

settled now :dunno: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/3429485.stm

scojones · 26-01-2004 01:18PM

he got an x-box.

Capt'n Midnight · 01-02-2004 07:15PM

But the story is not over yet..

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3382073018

This is your chance to own a piece of Internet history. This is the book shown on TV, Internet, magazines and talked about on the radio and seen by millions of people world-wide. I am selling the WIPO book with the 25-page letter I received from Microsoft's lawyers on January 14/2004. I have two copies of these and I will be keeping one for my own personal memoirs. This inch-thick book contains copies of web pages, registrations, trade marks, other WIPO cases, emails between me and Microsoft's lawyers and much more. There are 27 annexes filled with information. This package also comes with the 25-page complaint transmittal coversheet that was sent with the inch-thick book. In this letter you can find policies, rules, supplemental rules, model responses, copy of complaint and much more. Take advantage of this once in a lifetime opportunity.

Current bid US $117,400.00

http://reports.internic.net/cgi/whois?whois_nic=www.mikeroweforums.com&type=domain

Cal · 01-02-2004 09:04PM

If you run it at GoDaddy

You get: -

Registrant: Michael Rowe 131 - 883 Van Isle Way Vancouver, British Columbia V9B5R8 Canada Registered through: GoDaddy.com (http://www.godaddy.com)

Domain Name: MIKEROWEFORUMS.COM Created on: 22-Jan-04 Expires on: 22-Jan-05 Last Updated on: 22-Jan-04

Which seems in order.

Cal

stormkeeper · 02-02-2004 05:07PM

Originally posted by Capt'n Midnight
But the story is not over yet..

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3382073018

Current bid US $117,400.00

http://reports.internic.net/cgi/whois?whois_nic=www.mikeroweforums.com&type=domain

Current Bid: US $20,560,100.00 <--- That's the new current bid for that book yokey... 20.6 million squid... That's like winning the lotto twice over!

Cal · 03-02-2004 01:18AM

I thought it was too good to be true.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3382073018

Cal

stormkeeper · 04-02-2004 01:28AM

That's an, um... Modest sum (or a drop in the ocean compared to the 20.6 mill that was asked).

Microsoft V MikeRoweSoft

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