IP: Anti-Cybersquatting Law Coopted By Verizon ?

[Dave Farber <farber () cis upenn edu>]

> From: Kenneth Latta <Kenneth.Latta () invictus63 com>
> To: "'farber () central cis upenn edu'" <farber () central cis upenn edu>,
>         "'galler () umich edu'" <galler () umich edu>
>
>
> [Clip from 2600 Magazine]
> The new name for the company formed by the merger of Bell Atlantic and GTE 
> is Verizon. You may have already started to see ads for Verizon Wireless. 
> Soon, this will be the name of the local phone company for millions of people.
>
> We decided it would be a good idea to register verizonsucks.com because, 
> if our experience with past phone companies is any indication, Verizon 
> will in all probability be thought of in this way in the near future. But 
> we didn't move fast enough. Apparently, Verizon realized this was going to 
> happen and they went and had their lawyers register verizonsucks.com 
> themselves! (The logic of owning a site that says your business sucks 
> really escapes us.)
>
> We did the next best thing and registered verizonREALLYsucks.com. We kept 
> the domain in reserve for when we might need it. That day has come.
>
> On Friday, a certified letter was sent to 2600 by Bell Atlantic demanding 
> that we turn this domain over to them or face the consequences. In an 
> absurd twisting of logic, they claimed that we were violating the new 
> "Anticybersquatting Act" by owning this domain. This corporate abuse makes 
> it quite clear how such laws turn into an open invitation to trample on 
> the rights of individuals. When written, this law was designed to protect 
> companies against those who would register their name and hold it for 
> ransom. But this is a statement, an OPINION, one which in no way would be 
> confused with the actual name of the company.
>
> The tactic is clear. Verizon intends to go after anyone who criticizes 
> them on the net, abusing the intent of this law to accomplish their goal. 
> We cannot allow this. We call on INDIVIDUALS around the world to criticize 
> Verizon on as many domain names as possible and to exercise your rights to 
> free speech aggressively since we are in real danger of having them wiped 
> from the net entirely.
>
> Just for the fun of it, we've gone and registered 
> VerizonShouldSpendMoreTimeFixingItsNetworkAndLessMoneyOnLawyers.com. We 
> look forward to seeing their legal threat for THAT one. (This domain uses 
> the new 63 character maximum length name - some browsers may complain 
> about this.)
>
> We understand that corporate threats can be very intimidating and 
> effective. If you find yourself in a position where your right of 
> expression is being challenged and you don't have the means to defend 
> yourself, you can turn the offending domain name over to us and we will 
> stand up for your rights.
>
> We find ourselves facing no fewer than five lawsuits at the moment in what 
> can only be interpreted as a last ditch attempt by corporate America to 
> take us out of the picture once and for all. Please help us by showing 
> your support and spreading the word. We will not and cannot back down on 
> such an important matter.
> [Clip]
>
> Wouldn't they have spent less money on fighting this? Look at how many 
> people with an extra 70 bucks laying around and an axe to grind read 2600 
> Magazine! They are now going to find themselves fighting to gain names like:
> ThisAmountsToNothingMoreThanCensorshipOnVerizonsPart.Com
> and
> WhoInTheHellDoesVerizonThinkTheyAre.Com
> I might even register...
> VerizonSucksForSendingLawsuitLettersOverTheirDumbAssDomainName.Com
> Unless its taken of course!<g>
>
> What about it?
> Are they completely within their right to pursue this twisted logic? I 
> don't think so.
> That being the case.... what's the best Verizon Name you can come up with? 
> Maybe I'll register that one instead of
>
> HowManyDumbAssWaysCanVerizonBePerverted.Com
>
> Jaxx