Archive for July, 2011
Apple wins dispute over iPods.com, domain name ordered transferred
Updated August 1, 2011: The full administrative panel decision has been posted online.
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WIPO Panelist David Cairns has ruled in favor of Apple in a dispute over the domain name ipods.com.
Apple filed the complaint at the end of May with the World Intellectual Property Organization.
Although the company is known for paying millions of dollars for domain names, sometimes months after launching a product, it may be adopting a different approach by following the Uniform Domain Name Dispute Resolution Policy (the UDRP), which costs thousands not millions when it’s successful for a complainant.
In the case of iCloud.com which captured technology news headlines, the company reportedly paid $4.5 million in late April for ownership of the domain name (along with others) from Swedish cloud computing company Xcerion, shortly before officially launching the service.
But the days of Apple purchasing domain names for seven figures, like it did for iPhone.com from businessman Michael Kovatch months after it released the iPhone, might be gone.
Full details of the ruling in case no. D2011-0929 have not been posted yet, which would explain what led Panelist David Cairns to the decision of ordering ipods.com to be transferred to Apple.
The decision was just issued this past Friday, on July 29, according to WIPO’s website. When the full decision becomes available online, I will update this post.
Depending on the reasoning, this decision could prompt Apple to file dozens of disputes over web addresses it still doesn’t own such as iPad.com, iPads.com, Macs.com, iPhones.com, iPhone5.com and countless more.
Earlier this month, Apple acquired the domains iPhone4.com and WhiteiPhone.com for an undisclosed amount.
Discussion: Apple Insider, Chron.Com / TechBlog, iPodNN, Neowin.net, 9to5Mac, Network World, The Inquirer, Mashable, Geeky Gadgets, the Sociable and Techmeme
(Photo of iPod Shuffle Second Generation via Wikipedia)
Bell-ATL.com, internet’s oldest hyphenated .com domain turns 25
Bell-ATL.com used to be the web address for Bell Atlantic’s website, which is now called Verizon Communications after a series of mergers dating back to the 1980s.
The URL (http://www.bell-atl.com/), which turns 25 on August 5, is still used by the telecommunications giant and re-directs to a landing page on Verizon.com’s website.
While it’s not symbolics.com, the first .com domain ever registered, it is the first hyphenated .com domain ever registered.
Also sharing a 25th birthday on August 5 are GE.com, Grebyn.com, ISC.com, NSC.com, and Stargate.com.
With return of ThunderCats, comes domain dispute over ThunderCats.com
An all-new ThunderCats animated series premieres on Cartoon Network tonight.
Warner Bros anticipates the series will appeal to viewers who have loved the characters all their lives as well as young newcomers to the franchise. That, according to a press release.
Now with all the hype surrounding ThunderCats, it appears Warner Bros wants to setup a website using ThunderCats.com.
The only problem is, the company doesn’t own the domain.
A domain dispute (case No. 1400583) has been filed with the National Arbitration Forum. While the name of the complainant isn’t known at this time, it’s a safe bet that it’s Warner Bros behind the filing.
Since 2003, Warner Bros has filed several disputes with the National Arbitration Forum – and won.
In one of its more recent cases, Warner Bros won hogwarts.com.
The company has only had 2 claims denied at the National Arbitration Forum. Djbatman.com in 2004 and DaisyDukes.com in 2005.
What is Facebook’s plan with its newest domain registration: FBFeedback.com?
So what is behind Facebook’s newest domain registration, FBFeedback.com?
While there’s no website online, and Facebook already has a Help center for gathering suggestions and feedback, there is something more to it.
In addition to purchasing the domain FBFeedback.com, the social networking giant also registered two more related names using the registrar MarkMonitor — FBFeedback.net and FBFeedback.org.
You wouldn’t purchase the .com, the .net. and the .org without a plan, would you?
All three web addresses were purchased on July 25.
Is the company gathering feedback in hopes that it will beat Google+ to certain features, or is it working closer with the social performance platform Rypple?
Guess only time will tell.
Here’s a look at the Whois record:
Registrant:
Domain Administrator
Facebook, Inc.
1601 S. California Ave
Palo Alto CA 94304
US
Domain Name: fbfeedback.com
Registrar Name: Markmonitor.com
Registrar Whois: whois.markmonitor.com
Registrar Homepage: ‘http://www.markmonitor .com
Administrative Contact:
Domain Administrator
Facebook, Inc.
1601 S. California Ave
Palo Alto CA 94304
US
Created on…………..: 2011-07-25.
Expires on…………..: 2013-07-25.
Record last updated on..: 2011-07-25.
Disney files trademarks for Gnome Town for online social networking services
Disney Enterprises has filed 4 trademarks with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) for “Gnome Town”.
With the sleeper cartoon movie hit Gnomeo & Juliet so far earning $189,967,670 worldwide, according to Box Office Mojo, it’s no wonder Disney is taking the film based on William Shakespeare’s play Romeo and Juliet online.
According to the USPTO, 4 trademarks were filed by Disney Enterprises on July 19 and cover a wide range of services including social networking, an online virtual community, online computer games and more.
Here’s a look at each trademark application:
Word Mark GNOME TOWN [85374891]
Goods and Services IC 045. US 100 101. G & S: Online social networking services
Word Mark GNOME TOWN [85374901]
Goods and Services IC 042. US 100 101. G & S: Computer services, namely, creating an online virtual community for registered users to participate in and hold competitions, showcase their skills, improve their talent, participate in incentive award programs, get feedback from their peers, form virtual communities, trade, buy and sell virtual goods, conduct virtual tours, facilitate interaction among users, rank users, engage in social networking, and participate in on-line discussion boards; providing temporary use of non-downloadable software to enable viewing, previewing, sharing, manipulating, and creating blogs regarding computer games via global computer networks and electronic communication networks for use in connection with computers, mobile computers, media players, cellular phones, wireless devices and portable and handheld digital electronic devices; providing temporary use of non-downloadable software to enable viewing, previewing, sharing, manipulating, enhancements for computer games, online games, and game applications and information relating to computer games and game enhancements via global computer networks and electronic communication networks for use in connection with computers, mobile computers, media players, cellular phones, wireless devices and portable and handheld digital electronic devices
Word Mark GNOME TOWN [85374915]
Goods and Services IC 041. US 100 101 107. G & S: Entertainment and education services; providing online computer games, online enhancements for computer games, and providing online games; providing information relating to computer games and game enhancements via global computer networks and electronic communication networks for use in connection with computers, mobile computers, media players, cellular phones, wireless devices and portable and handheld digital electronic devices; providing an online entertainment information service featuring information regarding computer games, enhancements for computer games, online games, and game applications via global computer networks and electronic communication networks for use in connection with computers, mobile computers, media players, cellular phones, wireless devices and portable and handheld digital electronic devices; providing temporary use of non-downloadable computer games; providing temporary use of non downloadable software for playing computer games; providing temporary use of non downloadable software to enable playing and otherwise providing computer games
Word Mark GNOME TOWN [85374926]
Goods and Services IC 009. US 021 023 026 036 038. G & S: Audio recordings; video recordings; audio and visual recordings; video game cartridges, discs and software; computer game cartridges and discs; consumer electronics and accessories therefor; eyeglasses and sunglasses and accessories therefor; decorative refrigerator magnets; graduated rulers for office and stationery; hand-held units for playing electronic games for use with an external display screen or monitor; computer software, namely, computer game software; electronic games and game software that may be downloaded via global computer networks and electronic communication networks for use in connection with computers, mobile computers, media players, cellular phones, wireless devices and portable and handheld digital electronic devices
So who owns the domain name gnometown.com? Not Disney apparently. The web address has been registered for years.
This past February, Disney acquired Togetherville, a social network for kids 10 years of age or younger.
At the time of this story, Disney has not officially announced the venture.
Will Cloud9 compete against Google in the browser, search, and app wars?
This should be taken as nothing much more than a rumor, but recent domain name registrations hint at a new player in the browser, search and app space: Ajax.org’s Cloud9.
On Friday July 22, eight domain names were registered at MarkMonitor that used the word ‘Cloud9′ and ‘CloudNine’ in the name. MarkMonitor is a brand protection company used by over half of the Fortune 100 businesses.
Cloud9, for those that may not know, is a development-as-a-service for Javascripters and other developers founded in 2010 that has received millions in venture capital.
This is only speculation that Cloud9 is behind the registrations, because the owner of each of the domain names is hidden behind DNStination, a Whois privacy service.
Here’s a look at each new registration:
http://whois.domaintools.com/cloud9application.com
http://whois.domaintools.com/cloud9browser.com
http://whois.domaintools.com/cloud9browsing.com
http://whois.domaintools.com/cloud9searching.com
http://whois.domaintools.com/cloudnineapplication.com
http://whois.domaintools.com/cloudninebrowser.com
http://whois.domaintools.com/cloudninebrowsing.com
http://whois.domaintools.com/cloudninesearching.com
I’ve reached out to Cloud9 for comment and will update this post if I hear back.
Cloud9 Analytics, Inc, is another possibility, but less likely since the company focuses on sales forecasting and pipeline management applications.
DC Comics wins dispute over ManofSteel.com domain name
On July 19, 2011 a single-member Panel of the National Arbitration Forum ruled that the manofsteel.com domain name be transferred from its current owner to DC Comics who had filed a domain dispute in late June.
The panelist, James A. Carmody, Esq., said that manofsteel.com is identical to DC Comics’ trademarks — ”MAN OF STEEL” (registered in 1999) and THE MAN OF STEEL (registered in 1987). The panelist also found that because the domain name resolved to a website which displayed links and advertisements, that the respondent’s use of the domain name was neither a bona fide offering of goods or services, nor a legitimate noncommercial or fair use. The panelist also found that registration and use of manofsteel.com demonstrated bad faith.
The respondent in the dispute, Coni c/o LBR Enterprises, failed to submit a response.
Warner Bros and DC Comics are set to release “Man of Steel” in December 2012.
TheManofSteel.com, which is not owned by Warner Bros or DC Comics, is up for sale at Sedo for $300 by its current owner.
The full decision can be read here.
Discussion: BleedingCool.com, SuperHeroHype, Comic Book Resources, and BuyDomains
ModernWarfare3.com owner revealed, Go Daddy’s Privacy removed during UDRP
The Battlefield 3 fanboy who has fueled the drama between Electronic Arts and Activision by re-directing ModernWarfare3.com to Battlefield.com has been officially revealed.
Originally hidden behind Go Daddy’s Domains By Proxy (DBP) service, it appears the registrar giant doesn’t want to get involved in the domain dispute recently filed under the UDRP by Activision against the owner of ModernWarfare3.com.
Today, Go Daddy’s DBP has removed the privacy service on the domain, revealing the identity of the ModernWarfare3.com owner who has entertained Call of Duty and Battlefield fans with his online antics for weeks.
So who is this person who got the attention of gaming publications, fans and of course, Activision?
The registrant is Anthony Abraham of Florida according to the latest Whois records furnished by DomainTools.
Anthony, who has been hush hush since the beginning, will likely be receiving calls and e-mails from reporters over the next few days.
Now, if you’re wondering why the privacy service was removed all of the sudden, according to the Domains by Proxy website, cancelling the privacy service is just how it handles UDRP matters.
“DBP routinely receives notices from its affiliated registrars informing it of the filing of various administrative proceedings under the Policy. Upon receipt of such notices, DBP cancels its privacy service for the domain name that is the subject of the Policy dispute and notifies its customer about the cancellation of service.”
iPhone4S.com domain redirects to “Not Safe for Work” site [UPDATED]
[Updated, Nov. 3: Apple has now filed a complaint (Case D2011-1897) with the World Intellectual Property Organization. While it's no surprise Apple wants the name, it's a wonder it took so long, considering the adult content posted to its website. The complaint involves the following domains: iphonecamforce.com, iphonecam4s.com, iphoneporn4s.com, iphonesex4s.com, iphonexxxforce.com, iphone4s.com and porn4iphones.com]
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BGR claims to have new information from an incredibly solid source about the next gen iPhone. The news is making the rounds on the internet today.
Part of the rumor is that the current iPhone 4 may have an upgrade called the iPhone 4S. Compounding all the iPhone rumors is a leaked photo of a rumored iPhone 4GS that turned up on Weibo, China’s Twitter service (shown above) earlier in the week.
Mac Rumors writes, “The images claim to be of an “iPhone 4GS” test model running iOS 4.0. The unit appears to be identical to the iPhone 4 with a reported 5 megapixel camera based on the diagnostic software.”
If the rumor mill is right about the iPhone 4S device though, Apple (who only recently acquired iPhone4.com as first reported here) may want to act quickly to somehow acquire the domain name iPhone4S.com. At the time of this post, iPhone4S.com, redirects users to an adult site (NSFW) called: Free Naughty for Mobile.
Apple also doesn’t own iPhone3GS.com, iPhone4GS.com, or iPhone5.com.
Regardless of whether Apple calls one of its devices the iPhone 4S or not, chances are unsuspecting people looking for a website where they can purchase an iPhone 4, likely stumble across the adult site when typing in the plural.
iPhone4S.com is currently hidden behind Whois Privacy provided by Moniker.
Here’s a look at a screen shot of the web site (adult content removed), along with the web address where iPhone4S.com goes.
(WARNING: If you type in the web address, you will be taken to adult content).
Discussion: The Huffington Post
One down, one to go in Twitter domain name dispute over typos
In early June, Twitter filed a dispute with the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) over the domain name twiter.com. Days later, Twitter added the .biz to the same case.
The case was eventually suspended, then terminated. But not before Twitter was able to get at least one of the domain names.
The microblogging company took control of twiter.biz this past week and a new case (Case No. D2011-1210) targeting just twiter.com has been submitted to WIPO.
Domain Name: TWITER.BIZ
Domain ID: D42038125-BIZ
Sponsoring Registrar: MELBOURNE IT LTD
Sponsoring Registrar IANA ID: 13
Registrar URL (registration services): whois.inww.com
Domain Status: clientTransferProhibited
Registrant ID: C131048869463234
Registrant Name: Twitter, Inc.
Registrant Organization: Twitter, Inc.
Registrant Address1: 795 Folsom Street
Registrant Address2: Suite 600
Registrant City: San Francisco
Registrant State/Province: CA
Registrant Postal Code: 94107
Registrant Country: United States
Winning the case if it proceeds to a panel, should be easy. Twiter.com remains online.
The web address re-directs visitors to a scam site confusingly similar to Twitter. A survey takes visitors through a series of questions promising free prizes.
Discussion: Media Bistro
