I finally got around to reading this bill being proposed. It has serious implications for ANYONE who runs a business online.

BILL PROPOSED TO TAKE AWAY YOUR DOMAINS

For example, anyone running a website like WindowsCleaning.com could have their domain shut down (without the due process of law) by Microsoft because the domain name (it doesn't matter what the site is used for...all that matters is what's in the domain name) contains an MS trademark.

Perhaps it won't be used that way...not by Microsoft, anyway.

But let's say I have a beef with Michel. I could start a business and call it the "Copywriter's Board-Walk". Then, I contact my state attorney general, and if he's as ignorant as most government officials, I could easily convince him that Michel is infringing on my trademark.

Boom. Our forum gets shut down for a few months during the investigation. Now if Michel was making big bucks off the website...

This is just one example of how this bill can be (and will be) abused.

Thanks for the heads-up, it's interesting to see. Fortunately a lot of bills don't get passed, as cooler heads prevail.

The one bill category I *AM* very concerned about is the inevitable "sales tax" and other taxes that the government will likely levy on all online sales, soon. In addition to being an accounting headache, it will also cost us all a lot of money. Since we may well get a democrat president later this year, I would expect this unfortunate event to occur by 2010. I suppose the key then is to raise the topline.

-k

I've heard of Godaddy taking away people's domain if they get too many spam comlaints. Not sure if this is true, but I heard it from credible sources.

Whats the saying... "The difference between fiction and reality is that fiction has to be believable"

Yeah - I'm sure this bill will really help reduce phishing fraud just as the Can Spam act has reduced email spam and gun control laws attempt to reduce violent crimes. :rolleyes:

Once again it seems like the little guy will get punished while the crooks will still break the law.

Steve

It's still in review...it hasn't actually reached the floor yet.

Oh...guess who else is backing it? Ted Stevens...the guy who says someone sent him an 'internet' and it took him days to get it.

Also, Dell is one of the biggest supporters. The same company who is suing a lot of people for typo-squatting. Only they're taking a new path in the legal system. Instead of accusing the perpetrator for trademark infringement (which is what it is), they're calling it 'counterfeiting' (which will win them much more in damages). It's beyond me how these big corporations can twist the law this way. But now we're going to offer them a law that they don't even have to twist.

Hey...I hate to sound like an activist, but please write your representatives about this one.