Tire Manufacturer Files Complaint for Nothing

[Brad|E]

Well, actually for zero (.) us. Here's the link:

Pirelli Files Complaint

Zouzas posted this story at another forum and granted me permission to spread the word. He's an ardent supporter of .us with an excellent portfolio.

Edit: Here's the operative part of the complaint (Source: boston.bizjournals.com):

"The zero.us domain name appropriates a common misspelling of complainant's zero and pzero marks in its entirety," reads the complaint. "In view of these circumstances, there is no reasonable possibility that the domain name was selected by (the) respondent for any purpose other than a brazen attempt to create a likelihood of confusion with (the) complainant's mark as to the source, sponsorship, affiliation, or endorsement of respondent's Web site."

Re the bold: Yes, of the 245,000,000 search results on Google for "zero", the most intuitive inference is the name is a mispelling of pzero. . This is Orwellian in scope, folks.

 

[Dave_Z]

I cannot understand why he did not represent himself (unless of course a deal had been made away from the public gaze)

It's generally not a good idea for a lawyer to represent himself, especially if it
is for an issue s/he isn't completely versed at. Even if you're a physician, can
you diagnose your eyesight problem?

 

[labrocca]

No I do not mean setting a precedence of losing a domain if you do not respond. What I mean is will pirelli try to use this to bolster future absurd claims in domains that contain the word zero.

Just as a side note the owner of the domain was aware of the complaint:-

http://masshightech.bizjournals.com...s/2007/04/30/story6.html?b=1177905600^1454454

I cannot understand why he did not represent himself (unless of course a deal had been made away from the public gaze)

Peter that article is discussing zero.us not zero.org which was recently lost. I don't believe the zero.us decision has been made yet. I have some inside information though and I can guarantee you that zero.us will win this one.

 

[Peter]

Doh silly me, Got my wires crossed.

 

[btrader]

wow - this is a pathetic abuse of UDRP.

 

[jberryhill]

I have some inside information though and I can guarantee you that zero.us will win this one.

Really?

I'd like a chunk of that guarantee.

 

[briman1970]

I have some inside information though and I can guarantee you that zero.us will win this one.

Really? I'd like a chunk of that guarantee.

:o

 

[mirrorcube]

Pirelli should try to trademark the work trademark, seems like the legal department likes to attempt longshots. Sadly it seems they actually win some of them. Now i know one company ill never buy tires from.

 

[zouzas]

one for the little folks pirelli's string of wins got stopped dead thanks to

John Berryhill

pirelli got zero as in compaint Denied.

http://domains.adrforum.com/domains/decisions/938180.htm

 

[btrader]

I love this part..

Complainant also annexed copies of the first 200 entries (out of a total of 93,200) from a Google® search for PZERO and the first 200 entries (out of a total of 427,000) from a Google® search for ZERO + PIRELLI. The number of entries that have nothing to do with Complainant may be counted on the fingers of one hand.

WHO CARES???, yes, if you put your name and the word together you will get google entries... what does this have to do with anything?

nice job and way to stand up for your rights (and all of us)

 

[briman1970]

Pirelli got 0wned. Could it have turned out any other way?

http://www.superpimps.com/yougotowned/truedat.jpg

 

[Dave_Z]

Aside from John winning this one for Zouzas, check this out:

http://domains.adrforum.com/domains/decisions/944807.htm

Talk about a double whammy.

 

[btrader]

okay, help me understand - is there any repercussions for these reverse-hijacking attempts. I know they lose the fee... how much is that? and what is the other penalty for losing (any?)

 

[Peter]

no there is no penalty for reverse hijacking. The cost between $1000 and $2000 and of course their own costs for there own lawyers etc.

 

[labrocca]

I have some inside information though and I can guarantee you that zero.us will win this one.

Hehe...told ya.

 

[accent]

no there is no penalty for reverse hijacking. The cost between $1000 and $2000 and of course their own costs for there own lawyers etc.

I think it is $1500 to file a dispute. Add $500 if the respondant requests three panelists. Add several thousand for lawyers.

In other words you can have a shot at a premium generic domain in your field of business for about $5K. Many domain owners do not respond to these attempts (including large portfolio holders???) and there appears to be a pro-business bias.

Why buy a domain when you can steal it for $5K?