IP Lawfirm Sues Typosquatting Security Researcher

First time accepted submitter scottbee writes "A major New York intellectual property lawfirm has filed a $1m lawsuit against domain squatter/security researcher Wesley Kenzie (aka Securikai). Kenzie registered domain names to collect misaddressed email, and then holding companies to ransom claiming he had found security vulnerabilities and would consult for five figure engagements. Lockheed Martin handled it with a simple UDRP, but the Gioconda Law Group decided instead to file a lawsuit for 'cybersquatting, trademark infringement and unlawful interception of a law firm's private electronic communications in violation of federal laws,' along with a permanent injunction. Kenzie had also tried the same tactic against Rapid7's HDMoore, but was shamed out of the domain names earlier this year."

Comments

no sweat off my back

[PopeRatzo]

I don't really care if Microsoft screws up or ends up looking foolish or fails utterly at their launch of whatever this "surface" thing is.

Somehow, I'm a little bit comforted by a big tech company stepping all over its own dick when trying to come out with a new product.

My future is not dependent on Microsoft's success because I don't identify with Microsoft. I don't have a microsoft logo tattooed to my behind, nor do I stand in line to buy the latest microsoft product. If their product ends up being any good, and the price is right, I might buy it. If not, no. I am not on their team and I don't envision myself as the fresh-faced actor in their commercials.

Like I said, I'm a little comforted by their looking silly with their efforts at this rollout. I prefer having those products judged on their merits instead of their cachet or what engadget says about them.

Unfortunately, I doubt their marketing failure is going to dissuade tech companies from their astroturfing efforts. Maybe consumers will get sophisticated enough to fight off these campaigns, but probably not. As a species we seem to like to pick sides and fly flags, much to our own detriment.