Microsoft takes on teen's site MikeRoweSoft.com

[moe.ron]

Microsoft takes on teen's site MikeRoweSoft.com
Monday, January 19, 2004 Posted: 9:25 AM EST (1425 GMT)

VANCOUVER, British Columbia (AP) -- It's Microsoft versus Mike Rowe-soft.

Rowe, a 17-year-old high school senior and Web designer from Victoria, has angered the software giant by registering an Internet site with the address www.MikeRoweSoft.com.

"Since my name is Mike Rowe, I thought it would be funny to add 'soft' to the end of it," said Rowe.

Microsoft, however, is not amused.

It has demanded that he give up his domain name. In November, Rowe received a letter from Microsoft's Canadian lawyers informing him he was committing copyright infringement.

Read the Rest of the Story Here

[DeltAlum]

I heard on NPR this morning that Microsoft is offering the kid $10 to give up the name. He is holding out for $1000.

Hope it doesn't affect MS's stock!

[PhiPsiRuss]

Originally posted by DeltAlum
I heard on NPR this morning that Microsoft is offering the kid $10 to give up the name. He is holding out for $1000.

This is potentially bad PR for Microsoft, and they're only offering $10? Its probably Canadian $10 too! They should give the kid the $1,000, and not look like a heartless monopoly.

[moe.ron]

Originally posted by DeltAlum
I heard on NPR this morning that Microsoft is offering the kid $10 to give up the name. He is holding out for $1000.

Hope it doesn't affect MS's stock!

I thought it was for $10,000. Did you see what the lawfirm that is representing Microsoft? Smart & Biggar!!! You can not make this up.

[DeltAlum]

Originally posted by moe.ron
I thought it was for $10,000. Did you see what the lawfirm that is representing Microsoft? Smart & Biggar!!! You can not make this up.

Oh, that's fantastic!

I suppost the partners are Ura Smart and Ima Biggar.

Thought they said $1000 -- either way it sounds really cheap and petty for a company the size of Microsoft.

[Taualumna]

Give the kid at least $50,000!!!!!!!!

[texas*princess]

lol this is too funny

yea, with a domain name like "mikerowesoft" it might confuse potential customers or something!

Seriously, with a company THAT BIG with THAT MUCH MONEY, you would think they would offer more.

I think it's pretty funny they are going after a 17-yr-old kid

[Kevin]

So they pay some lawyers $10000 to offer a kid $10.

Someone should be fired.

[AXJules]

Anyone know if GHEYNATION.com is a registered domain???

[Rudey]

Originally posted by AXJules
Anyone know if GHEYNATION.com is a registered domain???

You have big issues.

-Rudey

[AXJules]

Ew.

[Peaches-n-Cream]

www.ghetnation.com is available.

[angelic1]

i can understand in some ways where microsoft is coming from in requesting that he turns over the domain name.. bc when you tell someone a website address well the two would sound just alike..

i think only offering $10 is a little stupid. I dont understand paying the guy a huge amount bc then that would be the kid taking advantage of the situation knowing that he would get a big settlement the more he complains bc well thats just bad PR.. but any PR is good PR i guess in some sense..

(not that i am too biased towards microsoft since my boy works for them.. i mean they do treat their employees great and have a very fun picnic for everyone in the summer on top of many things)

[absolutuscchick]

Originally posted by AXJules
Anyone know if GHEYNATION.com is a registered domain???

haha u always crack me up

[decadence]

January 23, 2004 - Mike Rowe settlement

This just in ... Microsoft has reached an agreement with Mike Rowe, the Canadian teenager who was using the Web site mikerowesoft.com in alleged violation of the Microsoft tradmark. Here are the details, as relayed to us by Microsoft spokesman Jim Desler. In exchange for Mike turning over the mikerowesoft.com domain to Microsoft, the company has:...

http://blog.seattlepi.nwsource.com/m...es/001313.html