Microsoft vs. MikeRoweSoft • Hacker News Board

Re: Microsoft vs. MikeRoweSoft

#21

Post by onedev » Sat, Jul 20, 2013, 7:01 AM UTC

manifest23 wrote: post #18

onedev wrote: post #13

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I just wanted to say, you are my hero.

I think you need to re-evaluate your criteria in choosing a hero.

Haha honestly my comment was sort of half joking :p

I still really like that he didn't bend over to Microsoft's will despite him being extremely young and up against one of the largest companies on the planet.

Re: Microsoft vs. MikeRoweSoft

#22

Post by antimora » Sat, Jul 20, 2013, 7:02 AM UTC

manifest23 wrote: post #9

Well this is kind of weird to see here. Especially since it happened almost 10 years ago. I am Mike Rowe. I can answer any questions if people want. I did an AMA on reddit in 2009 as well http://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/ajsih/i_am_the_guy_who... .

Since you've gone through the trouble of being sued, was it worth at the end?

I am considering buying a domain name that has a similar spelling to an existing domain name but it only existed briefly, I wonder if it's worth buying knowing I could be sued.

Re: Microsoft vs. MikeRoweSoft

#23

Post by manifest23 » Sat, Jul 20, 2013, 7:06 AM UTC

antimora wrote: post #22

manifest23 wrote: post #9

Well this is kind of weird to see here. Especially since it happened almost 10 years ago. I am Mike Rowe. I can answer any questions if people want. I did an AMA on reddit in 2009 as well http://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/ajsih/i_am_the_guy_who... .

Since you've gone through the trouble of being sued, was it worth at the end? I am considering buying a domain name that has a similar spelling to an existing domain name but it only existed briefly, I wonder if it's worth buying knowing I could be sued.

I never got sued. They just sent me a cease and desist letter telling me to stop using the domain. I went to the media with that and it all blew out of proportion from there. The only thing I was ever at risk of losing was my domain name. I ended up selling out for a bunch of goodies and a couple trips to Redmond.

Re: Microsoft vs. MikeRoweSoft

#24

Post by Zak » Sat, Jul 20, 2013, 7:10 AM UTC

gabemart wrote: post #11

Am I missing something? The wikipedia article claims he intentionally bought the domain because it sounded like Microsoft. The domain very clearly infringed on Microsoft's trademark. Microsoft offered to repay him the cost of buying the domain name (which they are under no legal obligation to do). I don't really get why Microsoft is the bad guy here (and I'm no particular fan of the company).

What does trademark law say about using one's given, legal name that was not intentionally selected to resemble an existing trademark in trade when it does, in fact resemble such a trademark? I don't think it's as clear-cut as you suggest, though admitting to choosing the domain name because it resembles Microsoft is a bad move from a legal perspective.

Re: Microsoft vs. MikeRoweSoft

#25

Post by lostlogin » Sat, Jul 20, 2013, 8:29 AM UTC

gabemart wrote: post #15

charonn0 wrote: post #12

Earlier quoted context omitted.

When a multi-billion dollar corporation thumps a 12th grader over the head with its legal department, people are going to call foul.

From my reading of the article (which may well not represent the whole story, I admit) they only "thumped him over the head" with a C&D when he asked for $10,000 for his infringing domain. I'm not sure being a 12th grader gets you off the hook for that.

I'm pretty sure he does - if he sent them a death threat the courts would see that somewhat differently to an adult doing the same thing. Having said that, given the way terrorism is defined in the US these days, I could be wrong. I did some pretty bad things while at school - I had the LAPD emailing me after I emailed a spammer and said I was sick of him and had an especially pointy stick saved up to visit him with. Would I do that now? Hell no, it was stupid. I was a(nother) dumb bored kid.

Re: Microsoft vs. MikeRoweSoft

#26

Post by betaclass » Sat, Jul 20, 2013, 5:45 PM UTC

manifest23 wrote: post #9

Well this is kind of weird to see here. Especially since it happened almost 10 years ago. I am Mike Rowe. I can answer any questions if people want. I did an AMA on reddit in 2009 as well http://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/ajsih/i_am_the_guy_who... .

Did the fact that MikeRoweSoft.com sounds like Microsoft.com have any bearing on your decision to register the former?