Law suits and Cybersquatting
Sometimes life gives you lemons; all you can do is make lemonade… even if the lemonade tastes bad and gives you indigestion.
Yesterday, I received an email from a law firm in California advising that I had infringed on International copyright laws, by registering three domain names, and trying to profit by selling them on eBay [For obvious reasons I cannot mention these now] and that I am to be taken to task if I don’t hand these over… FREE OF CHARGE might I add.
The laughable point is that at $250.00 an hour the law firm is costing the said company a small little fortune. Had company X, contacted me directly to resolve the issue, I as an upstanding human being and honourable business person would have been more than happy to accommodate.
Look all is fair in love and war, and I am the first to raise my hand and say that legal framework should support the protection of intellectual property, but then there are times when in genuine cases people and companies should be able to establish amicable solutions without the threat and intervention of law.
That said although, it is not very poetic of me, I have a simple rule in business, I do not turn the other cheek. If company X chooses to get in the gutter with company Y… then so be it, that will be the basis of all future relationships.
Cybersquatting – the term that defines the practice of registering and claiming rights over Internet domain names that are, arguably, not for the taking and then offering them back to the person or company who owns a trademark at an inflated price… may have found popularity amongst disgruntled webmasters and geeky lawyers, but in the real world its does not cut the grade.
… this story I am sure will have an interesting ending and I look forward to posting the update rather soon.
Jason said,
Wrote on May 10, 2006 @ 8:52 pm
Hey,
Dont think Ebay and Skype really will be too hurt by spending 250 an hour getting that site or sites from you. Oh, and if they are only spending 250 an hour on a lawyer to deal with you that should piss you off.. Any lawyer that works for the like of Ebay charges a tad more then 250….
At least you have them millions from the Investfromhome sale you can hire your own lawyer with….
I do like you self promotion, just too bad you dont have much to promote….
Jason
Justin Harrison said,
Wrote on May 11, 2006 @ 9:34 am
Hey Jason,
Thanks for the comments, although a little off centre, it works for me and I am well versed in rolling with the punches.
That said, if self promotion where the objective, then I glad you have taken time to read my blog… it must be working!
Theresa C said,
Wrote on May 11, 2006 @ 10:17 am
Justin,
GOOD FOR YOU, you say it like it is and that is an honourable trait. You could have easily moderated that comment, but it seems you don’t shy away.
You are a champion, keep going and don’t let anyone deter you.
Mandy said,
Wrote on May 11, 2006 @ 10:49 am
Hey JASON…
If you reading his blog… do I even have to say it, well ok, maybe I do, then it seems he is doing a damn fine job of pushing his name out there.
Justin, you are a star in my books and I think you are just GREAT!
mark said,
Wrote on May 11, 2006 @ 11:37 am
OH JASON JASON JASON…
Where for art thou common sense?
Justin, you go get them!
Dina R said,
Wrote on May 11, 2006 @ 12:01 pm
Justin I just have one thing to say:
YOU ARE THE BEST, don’t let anyone drag you down!
Jason said,
Wrote on May 11, 2006 @ 7:15 pm
Ok,
so that wasnt meant to be a huge bash or anything.. I saw Justins promotion of his skype sites on the skype forum and then the only thing that interested me was the hype of the investfromhome site he had and all the millions of dollers it was worth. I found it odd that he would sell it on ebay but i thought it was interesting. Didnt seem to many people found it interesting though, one day i was the 18th person to look at the auction according to the counter and 3 days later it was at 21…
Did you end up selling it then after the auction??
Jason
Justin Harrison said,
Wrote on May 11, 2006 @ 8:00 pm
Firstly guys, thank you for the responses, your support is overwhelming!
Jason, with regards to InvestFromHome.com, yes there was allot of hype around that auction. I never anticipated a huge response on eBay, due to the high ticket value attached to it.
That said, I can’t confirm too much at this stage, as I am in the middle of a very significant deal, and confidentiality is of course an issue.
I can however promise you as soon as all is said and done, besides the official press releases that will be in the media, I will post an update on my Blog… so keep reading.