Microsoft Puts Pressure On Canadian Teen

[jfila]

Check out this news story I just posted:

A Canadian teenager is being sued by Microsoft Corp. because they claim his Website, MikeRoweSoft.com infringes upon their copyright.

Mike Rowe, 17, received a letter from Microsoft's lawyers on November 19, requesting that he transfer his domain name over to Microsoft immediately. Rowe's Website is for a Web design business he has started.

Rowe says on his Website that he was originally contacted by Microsoft via e-mail. He said "I was not ready to give up my domain name since I had put so much time and effort into establishing my name, getting my business cards out and posting my services on the Internet. If I were to give up my domain, I would lose all the time and effort I had put into it."

He requested that they offered him a monetary settlement and Microsoft countered with an offer for $10, which was his domain registration costs.

"I was surprised that they would offer such a little amount of money to persuade me to hand my domain over to Microsoft. In response to this recent email, I sent one back to them describing how much work I have put into my business and that the domain was worth at least $10000. They refused to give me anything more than $10USD so I proceeded to ignore their most recent email. I didn't hear anything from them after their last email" he said.

Rowe received a package from Microsoft's lawyers on January 14 containing a 25-page letter to him. According to Rowe, In the letter, Microsoft stated that it was his intention all along to sell his domain name to Microsoft for a cash settlement. Microsoft also stated that their customers could get confused between MikeRoweSoft.com and Microsoft.com, Rowe said.

The attention has made Rowe a star, with him making recent TV and radio appearances.

Designtechnica will follow the story and keep you up to date.


What do you think?

[ECA]

YEA!!!!
Go to court...
There is NO infringement. If persons cant spell it OFF the package, or Off there systems, thats THERE problem...
Aint it.

[Ioman]

I don't think that Microsoft has much basis since the name of his company has his actual name in it. 25 pages sounds very exessive and my guess is they are trying to scare the kid. The more press he will get, the larger the settlement he will get most likely. Or at least this is how things have gone in the past with Microsoft.

[pdxflyboy]

oh wow, i hope this $10,000 problem turns into a $10million problem.

should have learned from RIAA that you cant pick on the little guys without a fury of bad media attention.

[ECA]

This is Canada, NOt the US, which is GREAT.
Sence its HIS NAME, they cant do squat. Unless they wish to BUY it, at HIS price.