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
>
>
>
>