Tag: Microsoft Corporation

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Disputes National Arbitration Forum News Video Games

Microsoft wants XboxPhone.com, XboxTablet.com, more; files dispute [UPDATED]

Halo 4

Who knows what the future holds for the Xbox, but a recent complaint (Case Number: 1445083) filed with the National Arbitration Forum (NAF), may hint at things to come down the road.

The domain dispute appeared on NAF’s website today and includes xbox8.org, xboxcompanion.com, xboxlivetv.com, xboxphone.com, and xboxtablet.com.

All of the names are owned by a resident of China who goes by the name “cheng juan”.

According to UDRP rules, if more than one domain being disputed is held by the same respondent, all of the names may be included in the same complaint. Rule 3(b)(vi).

At the time of this story, xbox8.org resolves to a Go Daddy parked page, xboxcompanion.com, xboxtablet.com and xboxlivetv.com are listed for sale, and xboxphone.com redirects visitors to a different site.

Microsoft released an Xbox Companion app for Windows Phone users in late 2011.

It’s also been rumored Xbox Live would be coming to other platforms.

Microsoft Corporation has won many of its disputes including two disputes that helped take down fake Halo 4 beta websites.

I wouldn’t expect the outcome in this case to be any different.

Talking about this story: VG247, Videogameszone, NeoGAF, Eurogamer España and GameZone

UPDATE:. Microsoft has won the dispute for xbox8.org, xboxcompanion.com, xboxlivetv.com, xboxphone.com, and xboxtablet.com.  All domains have been ordered transferred.

(Image of Halo 4 Concept art)

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Disputes National Arbitration Forum News Video Games

Microsoft wins another case against a fake Halo 4 beta website [UPDATED]

Halo 4 Beta

As buzz picks up about Halo 4, Microsoft has won another domain dispute (Claim Number: FA1203001432610) this past week against a fake Halo 4 beta website, this time Halo4Beta.biz.

On April 11, 2012, a single member panel with the National Arbitration Forum ordered that the Halo4Beta.biz domain name be transferred to Microsoft Corporation after having established all three elements required under the ICANN policy.

The three elements included:

(1) the domain name is identical or confusingly similar to a trademark in which the complainant has rights
(2) the owner has no rights or legitimate interests in respect of the domain name and;
(3) the domain name has been registered and is being used in bad faith.

Some of the highlights noted in the decision included that the respondent in the case, “Gerardo Torres / JerryG”, generated revenue from affiliate fees collected when each internet user signed up to receive one of the offers and that the domain was registered less than 10 days after Microsoft officially introduced Halo 4 through a global press release.

In early March, Microsoft Corporation won the rights to Halo4Beta.net, the first Halo 4 beta website to gain notoriety for tricking users into getting a bogus beta code.

343 Industries announced in March that it had no plans for a Halo 4 beta, but scam artists have still been able to cash in.

The full details of the ruling have been released and can be read online here.

Updated May 8, 2012:. Microsoft has taken official control of the domain name Halo4beta.biz (Whois) and now redirects visitors to Bing.

Talking about this story: VG247 and Gameranx

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News Trademarks Video Games

Microsoft files trademark for “Avatar Motocross Madness” game [UPDATED]

Avatar Motocross Madness

Microsoft Corporation filed a trademark application on April 5, 2012, for “Avatar Motocross Madness” with the United States Patent and Trademark Office.

The goods and services in the trademark filing (Serial Number: 85590644) cover “Game software” and “Providing a website featuring information in the field of games and home entertainment; entertainment services, namely, providing online video games”.

Motocross Madness was first released by Microsoft Games back in 1998 for the PC, followed by a sequel in 2000.

Based on the title, “Avatar Motocross Madness”, it sounds like Microsoft may be releasing Motocross Madness on the Xbox 360 and allow you to create and use your own avatar in the game with the Kinect.

As of today, Microsoft has made no announcement regarding “Avatar Motocross Madness”.

UPDATE: As MCV reports, “Two screenshots posted to PlayXBLA have been released in effort to tease the new title ahead of its reveal during Microsoft’s E3 press conference.”

Talking about this story: Xbox 360: The Official Xbox Magazine, Shack News, Eurogamer.it, VG247, GameZone, Eurogamer.pt, Multiplayer.it, Eurogamer.net, VG Nett, Videogamer.com and N4g

(Image of Motocross Madness via Microsoft.com)

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News Video Games

Microsoft Corporation registers XboxFL.com, XboxFL.net domain names

Xbox FL

Early this month, I wrote about Microsoft secretly acquiring the domain names Halo5.com and Halo9.com.

Now, the company has made two more interesting domain purchases this week.  On March 28, 2012, Microsoft Corporation registered XboxFL.com (Whois) and XboxFL.net (Whois).

So, what on earth is “Xbox FL”?

Your guess is as good as mine.

At the time of this story, both domain names redirect visitors to Bing.

[Updated March 31, 2012 10:57am EST:. Microsoft added another domain to the list.  The company registered registered XboxFL.cz on March 30.  .cz isthe country code top-level domain (ccTLD) for the Czech Republic.]

Discussion: Gamespot, Joystiq, ComputerAndVideoGames.com, Neowin.net, Game Rant, ITProPortal, GameRevolution, Gaming Examiner, This is Xbox, Gaming Bolt, The Tech Report, LLC and Geeky gadgets

Categories
News Trademarks Video Games

Microsoft files trademark for “Avatar Famestar” for video game services

Avatar Famestar

It appears Microsoft is working on something new for the Xbox called “Avatar Famestar” according to a recent trademark filing with the United States Patent and Trademark Office.

On February 13, 2012, filed to trademark “Avatar Famestar”.

The goods and services covered in the trademark filing (Serial Number: 85541451) cover “Downloadable software for video game services” and “Providing an online portal for video game services and social networking”.

As of today, Microsoft has made no announcement as to its plans for “Avatar Famestar”.

Last year, Microsoft released Avatar Kinect, which  lets your personalized avatar interact with or hang out with up to seven other friends in 24 virtual stages ranging from a late-night talk show set to outer space to a sports tailgate party.

[Update 1 on Feb. 18, 2012 5:41am:  A resident of China is cybersquatting on the domain name AvatarFamestar.com.  The name was registered shortly after this story went online.]

Discussion: Joystiq