Chicago2016.com dispute

[duodec]

Just saw a thread on this at Slashdot. The link below is to the story that started the thread. The city organizing committee is going after a fellow who registered this domain a couple of years before they trademarked the word.

The actual domain is currently set up as a discussion site about the Chicago Olympic bid and indicates it is not the official site.

Chicago Tribune story

 

[nunki]

I read this earlier, and I think the city may have a case. Then again...I know next to nothing about the law.

 

[DebX420]

Since the domain was registered before the city had copyrighted/trademarked the word or phrase, they are in no power to forcefully take it from him. He can either get paid for it, or man up and just hand it over.

 

[labrocca]

Hmm...if this goes WIPO I wonder how badly the fact he registered other city-2016 combos will effect the decision. It's a sure fire sign he is squatting so I think they can prove bad-faith. However they have more to prove than just bad-faith. Personally the kid should have used it for commercial purposes to establish his own rights.

 

[flamewalker]

Will be interesting any way it goes... non-commercial use is still use...