Microsoft Takes on Teen Over Web Site (mikerowesoft.com) - GoFuckYourself.com

Rictor · 01-20-2004, 12:40 AM

Microsoft Takes on Teen Over Web Site
The Associated Press
VANCOUVER, British Columbia

Mike Rowe thinks it's funny that his catchy name for a Web site design company sounds a lot like Microsoft.

The software giant, however, is not amused.

"Since my name is Mike Rowe, I thought it would be funny to add 'soft' to the end of it," said Rowe, a 17-year-old computer geek and Grade 12 student in Victoria, British Columbia.

Microsoft Corp. and its attorneys have demanded that he give up his domain name, the Vancouver Province newspaper reported Sunday.

Rowe registered the name in August. In November, he received a letter from Microsoft's Canadian lawyers, Smart & Biggar, informing him he was committing copyright infringement.

He was advised to transfer the name to the Redmond, Wash.-based corporation.

"I didn't think they would get all their high-priced lawyers to come after me," Rowe said.

He wrote back asking to be compensated for giving up his name. Microsoft's lawyers offered him $10 in U.S. funds. Then he asked for $10,000.

On Thursday, he received a 25-page letter accusing him of trying to force Microsoft into giving him a large settlement.

"I never even thought of getting anything out of them," he said, adding that he only asked for the $10,000 because he was "sort of mad at them for only offering 10 bucks."

He said family and friends are backing him and a lawyer has offered to advise him for free.

He's also keeping his sense of humor.

"It's not their name. It's my name. I just think it's kind of funny that they'd go after a 17-year-old," Rowe said.

Company spokesman Jim Desler said Sunday, "Microsoft has been in communication with Mr. Rowe in a good faith effort to reach a mutually agreeable resolution. And we remain hopeful we can resolve this issue to everyone's satisfaction."

___

On the web:

www.mikerowesoft.com

www.microsoft.com

PenisFace · 01-20-2004, 12:40 AM

Heard about that on the local news today... Kid wants money.. what a prick

Oh well, if he can get anything out of it, he might as well try. God knows I would.

Sosa · 01-20-2004, 12:43 AM

haha, that is pretty funny. I hope he gets something decent out of it. Just too fuck with Microsoft.

johnbosh · 01-20-2004, 12:43 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by PenisFace
Heard about that on the local news today... Kid wants money.. what a prick

Oh well, if he can get anything out of it, he might as well try. God knows I would.

Validus · 01-20-2004, 12:44 AM

Well that is actually quiet funny. I can however understand Microsoft?s concerns, maybe not at the current state but at future content or ownership of the domain name.

Fred Zeppelin · 01-20-2004, 12:50 AM

Did you check out the 17 year olds PORTFOLIO?

Some of his designs are better than ALOT of adult sites I've seen.

Rictor · 01-20-2004, 12:52 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Fred Zeppelin
Did you check out the 17 year olds PORTFOLIO?

Some of his designs are better than ALOT of adult sites I've seen.

I think Bill Gates is scared of the competition. He should just give the kid a job in the Micro$oft design department and be done with it.

mastamindz · 01-20-2004, 12:53 AM

Funny stuff

Ben-MensNiche · 01-20-2004, 01:01 AM

hahahahahahahahaha that's hi-la-rious!

I gotta give the kid kudos. If my name had been Mike Rowe, I'd pretty much be telling them to GFY. I'd set up a site for softcore porn to give me a reason to have the name. Be nice for Microsoft to be on the losing end of a lawsuit - nice way for them to start their year.

Maybe someone should send this kid to go work for Acacia, hehe.

Number1Thumb · 01-20-2004, 01:02 AM

yes he is clearly a threat

WebDork · 01-20-2004, 01:10 AM

Bump for the kid

Ben-MensNiche · 01-20-2004, 01:12 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Number1Thumb
yes he is clearly a threat

I think they're just worried that this kid has more talent than them and they don't want to get outdone by a 17 year old. All I've got to say is kudos to Mike!

Phonetics is a threat now? I think this guy should be allowed to keep his domain name - after all it is HIS name. It was only a matter of time before there was a Mike Rowe Software Designer.

They're saying that people might confuse frontpage with his site? If they're too stupid to find their way to Microsoft's site for the instructions to get the software, they probably wouldn't have found it anyway.

Give it up Microsoft, stop bullying the little guys. You can clearly see that the content of this site was put together as a portfolio to gain more work, and not to sell for a profit!

Pornwolf · 01-20-2004, 01:14 AM

I'm hoping some lawyer takes him on Pro bono and countersues Microsoft for damages to his reputation.

If it plays out in court and the press the boy will get a ton of work and maybe a bit of cash from M$.

Roger · 01-20-2004, 01:15 AM

$10? Such generosity, no wonder Bill Gates is rich. Hehe did you see his "Click here to enter the forum and share your feelings" link? It goes straight to phpbb install page.

acctman · 01-20-2004, 01:19 AM

you guys are looking at it for the consumers view of Microsoft has to much money... blah. but, from a business stand point your job is it protect you brand if you ran MS you'd do everything in your power to protect your name or brand. if not people like this kid would just make you company look band spreading rumors. AOL does it all the time you basically can't register any domain with AOL in it. I'd have to agree with MS on this, even if he admits it or not his intent was to register a MS name and then to as for $10k, there is no way he'll win.

it's the same reason why you can't name your company City Bank cause it would confuse consumers with Citibank

BigFish · 01-20-2004, 01:20 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by acctman
you guys are looking at it for the consumers view of Microsoft has to much money... blah. but, from a business stand point your job is it protect you brand if you ran MS you'd do everything in your power to protect your name or brand. if not people like this kid would just make you company look band spreading rumors. AOL does it all the time you basically can't register any domain with AOL in it. I'd have to agree with MS on this, even if he admits it or not his intent was to register a MS name and then to as for $10k, there is no way he'll win.

why do you even try LOL. It's GFY for christ's sake. i saw this post a long time ago thinking the same thing.

xxxoutsourcing · 01-20-2004, 01:23 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Number1Thumb
yes he is clearly a threat

Shoehorn! · 01-20-2004, 01:27 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by PenisFace
Heard about that on the local news today... Kid wants money.. what a prick

Oh well, if he can get anything out of it, he might as well try. God knows I would.

He only said he wanted money after Microsoft tried to make him turn the domain over to them. Fuck Microsoft.

Ash@phpFX · 01-20-2004, 01:28 AM

good on the kid, he has every right to use his own name, if M$ came aster me id ask for $10000 too, just as a message to go fuck themselves.

I bet he got some good publicity out of this though!

Ben-MensNiche · 01-20-2004, 01:32 AM

This is different though, the guy's name is "Mike Rowe" and he's a website designer.

a). Microsoft cannot prevent him using his name as part of his domain name, even if it contrevenes their brand.
b). Microsoft doesn't design websites, and you can clearly see from his site that this is his business
c). Microsoft is pinning their case on "the surfer might confuse Microsoft Frontpage and its ability to create web pages with this guy who designs websites". Lame case!

I must say that much as I bet Microsoft wins this, I hope that Mike wins it.

titmowse · 01-20-2004, 01:32 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by acctman
you guys are looking at it for the consumers view of Microsoft has to much money... blah. but, from a business stand point your job is it protect you brand if you ran MS you'd do everything in your power to protect your name or brand. if not people like this kid would just make you company look band spreading rumors. AOL does it all the time you basically can't register any domain with AOL in it. I'd have to agree with MS on this, even if he admits it or not his intent was to register a MS name and then to as for $10k, there is no way he'll win.

it's the same reason why you can't name your company City Bank cause it would confuse consumers with Citibank

ahh but the boy's name is actually mike rowe...does mr gates own the word soft?

for all the money microsoft will spend on lawyers to fight this, they would have gotten more value from giving the kid a free computer, a small college scholorship and a press release.

Ben-MensNiche · 01-20-2004, 01:35 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by asher
good on the kid, he has every right to use his own name, if M$ came aster me id ask for $10000 too, just as a message to go fuck themselves.

I bet he got some good publicity out of this though!

Yeah, his site got taken down after his ISP couldn't handle the 250,000 visitors. He had to go to another provider.

He should sue them for loss of business because of the downtime he suffered.

Pornwolf · 01-20-2004, 01:39 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by titmowse

for all the money microsoft will spend on lawyers to fight this, they would have gotten more value from giving the kid a free computer, a small college scholorship and a press release.

I'm betting that's what will happen next.

chodadog · 01-20-2004, 01:46 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Ben-MensNiche

Yeah, his site got taken down after his ISP couldn't handle the 250,000 visitors. He had to go to another provider.

He should sue them for loss of business because of the downtime he suffered.

Not going to happen. He'd actually have to prove that having his page taken down caused him financial loss. Those 250 thousand visitors were just curious people coming to see what the site was all about.

And well, he hasn't done a design since november, so i can't see this guy losing heaps of customers for a few days of downtime.

Hope he gets to keep the domain though.

Project-Shadow · 01-20-2004, 03:44 AM

Isn't it illegal for an under 18 year old to own a domain name?

thekebie · 01-20-2004, 03:51 AM

I don't know how much damage Microsoft can do since he is only 17, and I don't know if his parents can be held liable.

I remember when I screwed eFront Media back in 2000 they tried to get me on breach of NDA but I was under 18 and they never had my parents cosign my contract so basically it worked out I heard that I would be free and clear.

Also this is Canadian court, there is never large settlements. They are usually resonable

lock · 01-20-2004, 04:51 AM

i nearly bought mikerosoft.com years ago was worried bout that sort of shit so left it alone.

Raf1 · 01-20-2004, 06:16 AM

I hope he gets some money from microsoft, that article is really amusing

chodadog · 01-20-2004, 06:45 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by lock
i nearly bought mikerosoft.com years ago was worried bout that sort of shit so left it alone.

Interesting that you mention that. Check this out, about mikerosoft.ca

http://www.geek.com/news/geeknews/20...0108023374.htm
http://www.mikerosoft.ca

MadCap · 01-20-2004, 06:48 AM

I would have asked for 100k and now that its new the kid will get the 10k to shut it up so as not to make them look like a big bully.

KraZ · 01-20-2004, 07:27 AM

I'd like the kid to get the 10G ;)

Volantt · 01-20-2004, 10:04 AM

Wow, going to name my next kid amerikaonline think he or she would be able to keep the domain?

V

foolio · 01-20-2004, 10:52 AM

FIGHT THE POWER! lol, but its the kid's name, MS is gonna lose this one.

DirkG · 01-20-2004, 11:12 AM

Yes, he needs to register MikeRoweSoftporn now and push playboy.

01-20-2004, 12:40 AM	#1
Rictor Old Timer Industry Role: Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Indianapolis Posts: 12,208	Microsoft Takes on Teen Over Web Site (mikerowesoft.com) Microsoft Takes on Teen Over Web Site The Associated Press VANCOUVER, British Columbia Mike Rowe thinks it's funny that his catchy name for a Web site design company sounds a lot like Microsoft. The software giant, however, is not amused. "Since my name is Mike Rowe, I thought it would be funny to add 'soft' to the end of it," said Rowe, a 17-year-old computer geek and Grade 12 student in Victoria, British Columbia. Microsoft Corp. and its attorneys have demanded that he give up his domain name, the Vancouver Province newspaper reported Sunday. Rowe registered the name in August. In November, he received a letter from Microsoft's Canadian lawyers, Smart & Biggar, informing him he was committing copyright infringement. He was advised to transfer the name to the Redmond, Wash.-based corporation. "I didn't think they would get all their high-priced lawyers to come after me," Rowe said. He wrote back asking to be compensated for giving up his name. Microsoft's lawyers offered him $10 in U.S. funds. Then he asked for $10,000. On Thursday, he received a 25-page letter accusing him of trying to force Microsoft into giving him a large settlement. "I never even thought of getting anything out of them," he said, adding that he only asked for the $10,000 because he was "sort of mad at them for only offering 10 bucks." He said family and friends are backing him and a lawyer has offered to advise him for free. He's also keeping his sense of humor. "It's not their name. It's my name. I just think it's kind of funny that they'd go after a 17-year-old," Rowe said. Company spokesman Jim Desler said Sunday, "Microsoft has been in communication with Mr. Rowe in a good faith effort to reach a mutually agreeable resolution. And we remain hopeful we can resolve this issue to everyone's satisfaction." ___ On the web: www.mikerowesoft.com www.microsoft.com

01-20-2004, 12:40 AM	#2
PenisFace Confirmed User Industry Role: Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Vancouver Posts: 3,774	Heard about that on the local news today... Kid wants money.. what a prick Oh well, if he can get anything out of it, he might as well try. God knows I would. __________________ Need custom blog posts or articles? Hit me up: Blog And Article Writer Yes, I can do any kind of custom orders, too! ICQ: 641204000

01-20-2004, 12:53 AM	#8
mastamindz Confirmed User Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Canada Posts: 3,547	Funny stuff __________________ If you click here, you will make money.

01-20-2004, 01:01 AM	#9
Ben-MensNiche Confirmed User Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Victoria, BC, Canada Posts: 726	hahahahahahahahaha that's hi-la-rious! I gotta give the kid kudos. If my name had been Mike Rowe, I'd pretty much be telling them to GFY. I'd set up a site for softcore porn to give me a reason to have the name. Be nice for Microsoft to be on the losing end of a lawsuit - nice way for them to start their year. Maybe someone should send this kid to go work for Acacia, hehe. __________________ ICQ: 310539245 Email: [email protected]

01-20-2004, 01:10 AM	#11
WebDork Confirmed User Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Sydney, Australia Posts: 402	Bump for the kid __________________ Video Ipod Porn Site with Affiliate Program. http://www.podies.com Free 1:1 Adult Webmaster Banner Exchange.

01-20-2004, 12:43 AM	#3
Sosa In Tushy Land Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Nebraska Posts: 40,149	haha, that is pretty funny. I hope he gets something decent out of it. Just too fuck with Microsoft.

01-20-2004, 12:44 AM	#5
Validus Confirmed User Industry Role: Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Calgary, Canada Posts: 4,012	Well that is actually quiet funny. I can however understand Microsoft?s concerns, maybe not at the current state but at future content or ownership of the domain name.

01-20-2004, 12:50 AM	#6
Fred Zeppelin Registered User Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: USA Posts: 209	Did you check out the 17 year olds PORTFOLIO? Some of his designs are better than ALOT of adult sites I've seen.

01-20-2004, 01:02 AM	#10
Number1Thumb Confirmed User Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 1,135	yes he is clearly a threat

01-20-2004, 01:14 AM	#13
Pornwolf Drunk and Unruly Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Hollywood Posts: 22,712	I'm hoping some lawyer takes him on Pro bono and countersues Microsoft for damages to his reputation. If it plays out in court and the press the boy will get a ton of work and maybe a bit of cash from M$. __________________ I've trusted my sites to them for over a decade... Webair, bitches.

01-20-2004, 01:15 AM	#14
Roger Confirmed User Industry Role: Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: MetroCity Posts: 3,181	$10? Such generosity, no wonder Bill Gates is rich. Hehe did you see his "Click here to enter the forum and share your feelings" link? It goes straight to phpbb install page.

01-20-2004, 01:19 AM	#15
acctman Confirmed User Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Atlanta Posts: 2,840	you guys are looking at it for the consumers view of Microsoft has to much money... blah. but, from a business stand point your job is it protect you brand if you ran MS you'd do everything in your power to protect your name or brand. if not people like this kid would just make you company look band spreading rumors. AOL does it all the time you basically can't register any domain with AOL in it. I'd have to agree with MS on this, even if he admits it or not his intent was to register a MS name and then to as for $10k, there is no way he'll win. it's the same reason why you can't name your company City Bank cause it would confuse consumers with Citibank

01-20-2004, 01:28 AM	#19
Ash@phpFX Confirmed User Join Date: Nov 2003 Posts: 4,292	good on the kid, he has every right to use his own name, if M$ came aster me id ask for $10000 too, just as a message to go fuck themselves. I bet he got some good publicity out of this though!

01-20-2004, 01:32 AM	#20
Ben-MensNiche Confirmed User Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Victoria, BC, Canada Posts: 726	This is different though, the guy's name is "Mike Rowe" and he's a website designer. a). Microsoft cannot prevent him using his name as part of his domain name, even if it contrevenes their brand. b). Microsoft doesn't design websites, and you can clearly see from his site that this is his business c). Microsoft is pinning their case on "the surfer might confuse Microsoft Frontpage and its ability to create web pages with this guy who designs websites". Lame case! I must say that much as I bet Microsoft wins this, I hope that Mike wins it. __________________ ICQ: 310539245 Email: [email protected]

01-20-2004, 03:44 AM	#25
Project-Shadow Confirmed User Industry Role: Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 7,340	Isn't it illegal for an under 18 year old to own a domain name?

01-20-2004, 03:51 AM	#26
thekebie Confirmed User Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: The Hood of Burquitlam, BC Posts: 1,046	I don't know how much damage Microsoft can do since he is only 17, and I don't know if his parents can be held liable. I remember when I screwed eFront Media back in 2000 they tried to get me on breach of NDA but I was under 18 and they never had my parents cosign my contract so basically it worked out I heard that I would be free and clear. Also this is Canadian court, there is never large settlements. They are usually resonable

01-20-2004, 04:51 AM	#27
lock Confirmed User Industry Role: Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Australia Posts: 5,065	i nearly bought mikerosoft.com years ago was worried bout that sort of shit so left it alone. __________________ Traffic.Tools - 40+ Free Tools Free.Marketing - 150+ Free Tools Submission.Tools - 20+ Free Tools

01-20-2004, 06:16 AM	#28
Raf1 Too lazy to set a custom title Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Writer for hire :) Gallery descriptions, articles, blog posts etc. ICQ: 209 356 106 Posts: 12,117	I hope he gets some money from microsoft, that article is really amusing

01-20-2004, 06:48 AM	#30
MadCap Confirmed User Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: 137771650 Minneapolis MN Posts: 2,357	I would have asked for 100k and now that its new the kid will get the 10k to shut it up so as not to make them look like a big bully.

01-20-2004, 07:27 AM	#31
KraZ Confirmed User Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: ICQ:: 18822023 Posts: 2,636	I'd like the kid to get the 10G ;) __________________ Selling MedicalPorn,com and a dozen other gyno & doctor domains here: http://www.gofuckyourself.com/showthread.php?t=871984

01-20-2004, 10:04 AM	#32
Volantt Confirmed User Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Penguin vs Devil Posts: 745	Wow, going to name my next kid amerikaonline think he or she would be able to keep the domain? V __________________ "Only the dead have seen the end of war." - Plato "In the abscence of orders, go find something and kill it." - Erwin Rommel "A man's worth is no greater then the worth of his ambitions." - Marcus Aurelius

01-20-2004, 10:52 AM	#33
foolio ICQ: 178725656 Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Sunny San Diego Posts: 12,366	FIGHT THE POWER! lol, but its the kid's name, MS is gonna lose this one. __________________

01-20-2004, 11:12 AM	#34
DirkG Confirmed User Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Eugene, OR Posts: 289	Yes, he needs to register MikeRoweSoftporn now and push playboy. __________________ Trade traffic with Totally4free TGP HERE aptgp III - If you aren't using it, you haven't seen it. DOWNLOAD NOW