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Sex.com Case Finally 'Over'

Posted by michael on from the coming-to-a-conclusion dept.

Spad writes "The Register is reporting that Stephen Michael Cohen has, unsurprisingly, lost his appeal against the $65m in costs awarded to Gary Kremen for defrauding him out of the sex.com domain name almost 6 years ago. However, Cohen is currently a fugitive from justice in Mexico, with his assets in various offshore accounts, making it very difficult for Mr Kremen to claim his money. Kremen is now pursuing a $100m suit against VeriSign for signing over the domain in the first place, which he is expected to win." See our previous story for more background.

3 of 279 comments (clear)

  1. Verisign in big trouble by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Interesting

    If they do loose this one others will follow. I read recently they let Al Jazerra's domain go to a US citizen using a forged fax.

    1. Re:Verisign in big trouble by Otter · · Score: 5, Interesting
      I watched a BBC documenty about Al Jazerra filmed during the Iraq conflict. While their slant may be towards their regions audience I found them to be quite imapartial.

      Not that I'm qualified to express an opinion on this one way or the other but -- how on earth can you determine them to be "quite impartial" on the basis of a BBC documentary about them? Presumably anything from the BBC is utterly objective and impartial?

      Incidentally, al-Jazeera's old head was on the payroll of Iraqi intelligence, for what that's worth...

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  2. If not property right, then what? by cybaea · · Score: 5, Interesting

    The core of Verisign's defence seems to be that domain names are not property rights. From the BBC article on the same ruling:

    Forcing Verisign to accept blame for transferring the domain name in the first place could prove equally difficult.

    Verisign maintains that domain names are not legal property and as such it cannot be held accountable for giving it away.

    If it loses, as legal experts expect, Verisign would face a huge legal bill and fines of up to £100m.

    Two questions: what excatly am I buying when I buy a domain name from Verisign and why do "legal experts" think they'll loose that battle -- presumably they have an extensive user agreement that clears them of responsibility for all and any wrongdoings?

    Confused.

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