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mikerowesoft

microsoft is sueing this website http://www.mikerowesoft.com for using a name that sounds like its own, even though the owner is called Mike Rowe. and the website has nothing to do with microsoft or anything that it does, so it is not cashing in on the name.

i think this is totally crazy.... what next? multinational corporations copyrighting names and surnames?

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Reply 1

El_Borish

elpaw

microsoft has a history of slash and burn when it comes to rival companies. either buy them out, or if they dont acept, sink their business though competition or legal action. (they have some VERY expensive lawyers, lol)

Reply 2

Michael Beaver

elpaw

Hehe. That'll teach him for having a funny name.

Reply 3

El_Borish

he he - just noticed ure sig.

i think it's stupid too. hope they lose and can't sue him. idiots

Reply 4

El_Borish

Tinykates

he he - just noticed ure sig.

i think it's stupid too. hope they lose and can't sue him. idiots

Reply 5

elpaw

El_Borish

but it's not a rival business, it's just a student who does a bit of website design, a bit like amazingtrade, and who just happens to be coincidentally called mike rowe. and microsoft are suing him for having that name.

Reply 6

gzftan

I heard on the radio they sent him some 25 page letter after the initial notification that he was 'breaching' copyright law which offered to buy the name of his website for $10.....how lame is that???

G

Reply 7

elpaw

well they can't sue someone for having a name it's sooooooooo stupid. it's their fault for calling their company microsoft, sounding like mike rowe. they should have called it billgatesoft then would be no problem.

Reply 8

boygenious

if he called his website michaelrowesoft.com there wouldn't be a problem. of course it sounds a bit lame though

Reply 9

the g

elpaw

It is a business. that'll probably be his downfall, since it can be argued that he used the name in order to mislead consumers into thinking he was microsoft. its a little heavy handed of microsoft, since this is a just a kid with a little part-time hobby of his, and obviously no match for the real microsot, but it is legally a business and what he is trying to do is use microsofts image to his benefit.

Reply 10

meepmeep

I'd have thought that, since it is primarily a business focused around a website and the names don't look anything alike, there wouldn't be a problem. Anyone with half a braincell could see the difference between Mikeroesoft and Microsoft and know the two are not connected, just as the makers of prosthetic limbs don't sue the lego company.

Reply 11

EI_123

This is a stupidity made by Microsoft.
What do you think about the Eolas case?
Isn't that another stupidity?

Reply 12

the g

meepmeep

he doesn't program any software. he designs webpages. his name should have been mikerowedesign. but he chose soft, most probably because it sounded cool. i would have done the same. then he tells them he wants to sell it for $10,000. that may signify his intent that he was squatting for microsoft, and wants a payoff.

Reply 13

prince_capri

elpaw

sure it would be an interesting case !!!

Reply 14

phreek

Worlds best oxymoron

MicrosoftWorks

Reply 15

El_Borish

phreek

Worlds best oxymoron

MicrosoftWorks

lol!

they'l try asnd get him under imitation and image-stealing laws - surely they cant touch him for the name itself?

Reply 16

G4ry

They have to take up the case against Mike Rowe or else they won't be legally allowed to defend a real breach of their trademark. It'll probably end up with an out of court settlement, because it'll prove very embarassing for Microsoft to take a 17 year old to court.

Reply 17

Ollie

yes it is petty, but hes blatently ripping it off microsoft, (a bit hypocritical by ms!)

when we had ukl . com no one liked it

Reply 18

Sire

G4ry

It would be highly amusing for the 17yr old to sue Microsoft for undue emotional damages resulting from the law suit though. *nods insistently*

Reply 19

ThornsnRoses

elpaw

lol thats funny! i read about it in the metro on the way to school...hehehe...i think bill gates is being unreasonable but then he can cant he...he controls most of the financial markets in the world or he has a massive influence...