Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

WIPO Awards 'Sucks' Domain to Vivendi

Posted by michael on from the yet-another-travesty dept.

Sarcasmo writes: "A WIPO Panel has decided in favor of Vivendi Universal in the dispute over VivendiUniversalSucks.com. The arguments made on Vivendi's behalf are strange, to say the least." It's so unjust as to be farcical. When the domain name holder makes a sarcastic comment that he wasn't making any money off the domain (in contrast to the lawyer who was billing a few hundred dollars per hour to handle the dispute), the esteemed Panel takes that as evidence that he wants to sell the domain (which in itself was already a flimsy plank to call "bad faith"). Kangaroo court is too kind a description. ICANN is currently asking for input on the domain dispute resolution process, so if you've been a victim of the UDRP, now would be a good time to speak up.

5 of 154 comments (clear)

  1. The Bastards! by Greyfox · · Score: 5, Insightful

    I'm going to vote them all out in the next election! Oh... Wait...

    --

    I'm trying to teach myself to set people on fire with my mind... Is it hot in here?

  2. Bad faith by YuppieScum · · Score: 3, Insightful

    If Disney hold on to this domain to prevent it's use for "fair comment" criticism, can we take it from them citing "bad faith"?

    --
    This sig left unintentionally blank.
  3. That would be justified if... by brunes69 · · Score: 3, Insightful

    ...non-english speaking people would be going to the VivendiUniversal.com site in the first place. Since the whole site is English, I highly doubt that.

  4. Customer Confusion by Happy+Monkey · · Score: 3, Insightful

    To avoid customer confusion, the owner of a domain name should be required to put up a page at that domain that is appropriate to the domain name. Someone putting up a pro-Vivendi site at a "Sucks" domain is obviously attempting to trick customers into thinking that Vivendi does not suck.

    --
    __
    Do ya feel happy-go-lucky, punk?
  5. Re:There are merits here... by wytcld · · Score: 3, Insightful
    If I decided to call my bookstore "Barnes and Noble Bites" should I be forced to pick a new name? Yes.

    If I title a magazine article "weez75 Sucks" you'd come after me? I'm not selling what you're selling in competition with you, I'm just reviewing your business and character. If we get to a world where it infringes your property to mention your name in a noncomplimentary context, then, weez75, because you will have helped in your insignificant way to get us there, what I'll do if I catch up with you will also be unspeakable.

    --
    "with their freedom lost all virtue lose" - Milton