Software giant threatens mikerowesoft
Summary: Microsoft is threatening teenage software writer Mike Rowe with legal action for registering and using the domain name mikerowesoft.com
Microsoft has set its lawyers onto a 17-year-old software writer from Vancouver, called Mike Rowe, because he has registered MikeRoweSoft.com, which the company said infringes on its trademark rights.
Mike Rowe, who registered the domain name in August 2003, received an email from Microsoft's lawyers three months later asking him to transfer the domain name to Microsoft. They also offered to pay him a "settlement" of $10 (£5.55), which is the cost of his original registration fee.
"I was surprised that they would offer such a little amount of money to persuade me to hand my domain over," said Rowe, who wrote back telling them that he had worked hard on the site and spent money printing stationery, but would be willing to give it up for $10,000. In response, he received a 25-page letter explaining why Microsoft's customers could get confused between his site and their site.
According to Rowe's Web site, which is straining to stay online because so many people are dropping in to wish him well, Microsoft accused him of setting up the site only because he had the intention to sell the domain for a large cash settlement. "This is not the case. I never thought my name would cause Microsoft to take this course of action against me. I just thought it was a good name for my small part-time business," said Rowe.
Microsoft was not immediately available for comment.
For an update on this story, click here.
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Talkback
Honestly, the more I learn about Microsoft, the more I look for alternative software.
Mike Rowe could have chosen Rowesoft or Mikesoft and not had the problem.
The article also fails to mention what software the individual writes. If he doesn't have a large established business base than the cost for him to change should be small.
I've had a small business and NEVER printed up $10,000 of stationary. That is crazy. You buy $100 or $250 and make sure that your business will suceed before spending $10,000.
I hope this proves to be a Public Relations nightmare for Microsuck and they realize that if a heavy handed company just like them were around when Gates started MS, they would not be in existance.
Looks like the devil, smells like the devil, acts like the devil, must be......
They should change their name (to avoid mis-representing themselves of course).... how about Microsteal, Microswap, or Microminded.
I often send my extra cash to the maker of my OS and my favorite toolset, Office. Much to my consternation, I have now discovered that I have been sending my extra cash to Mike Rowe rather than to Bill Gates. Ohmygosh.
I wonder if I can get a refund???
Microsoft really needs to get a life...
Microsoft was founded 28 years old, the kid is just 17
In fact, Microsoft should trademark it's founder's name and sue everyone named William.
Hey, it's confusing enough for non-English readers, I keep spelling it Microshyte....for some strange reason
Have a nice day
:)