Microsoft going after Xbox One websites

Damnlag

Damnlag

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Microsoft has filed a complaint over XboxOne.com and XboxOne.net in hopes of taking control of the domains.

According to Fusible, Microsoft's dispute is filed with the National Arbitration Forum (case number 1501205, currently listed as “pending” on the NAF database), and the company is seeking to acquire the websites from a single UK resident who owns both. The WHOIS info for both domains suggests that they were registered on December 29, 2011 by a Krasimir Hristov Ivanov who resides in London.

Its also worth noting that Microsoft purchased numerous domains around Xbox Fusion recently.

Source [IGN]
 
That guy just hit the lottery! I assume he can sell them to MS for a boatload of cash, right? Or does that National Arbitration Forum just force you to give them up? Surely there's some compensation.

Shoot! Xboxtwo.com is already in Microsoft's possession! So much for my pay day.
 
I wouldn't be looking at the Xbox fusion thing. I've seen enough companies buy domains with their product in it so that no one tries to supply fake information. Activision buys domains with "Call Of Duty" in the name all the time, and at least 95% of them have nothing to do with the next game.

As for the guy with the domain, good on him. I hope doesn't get sued, because it looks like he bought the domain well before microsoft had even thought of the name. Surely, Microsoft can just pay him and get it over with.

What are they suing him for anyway? If the domain was registered that early I don't even think Microsoft have a case.

Well, best of luck to him. I hope he gets a ridiculous amount of money. :)
 
News like this is always interesting. I always marvel at how numerous companies always seem to wait to secure a domain even after they have the concept or name decided. Of course, there are times where the name is a common one and other people secure them in the hopes of this exact scenario, but you'd think a company would be smart enough and clever enough to either secure it first or to secure something that's slightly different but still works for their product. There's really no need to go out and pay a ton of $ just to get one domain name.
 
I have a feeling that the Xbox One name was chosen very late. Mainly, because absolutely no sources had any idea of it but also because they didn't try to secure any domain that is similar to the name.

This domain was made near the end of the year 2011. I doubt Microsoft had thought of a name by that time. I have to assume that when the name was chosen they checked the domain and decided that it was a risk they were going to take. However, I can't be too sure. I don't think you can blame Microsoft for waiting too long to buy the domain. Were they really going to figure out the name of the console 2 years before release?
 
One thing I know about this situation is that it's going to end bad for the current owner of the website. He will be most likely forced to hand it away to Mocrosoft for free which saddens me. A potential chance to earn a huge amount is most likely going to go to the dumpster because Microsoft is such a greedy company.

I also don't see why they claimed all the fusion domains when they just simply changed their name to One. What use is there going to be for those websites? At best, it would be used as an advertising website.
 
Wow! That's insane, they sued him! How can Microsoft even run a buisness with that attitude? They could just ask him nicely to fork over the site or buy it off the owner for a little bit of money. Wow... I can't believe that.
 
Its a shame but the guy who owns the 2 domains simply will not win this as they are not being used for anything if only he had carried on with his website he could have been a wealthy man instead he will have to give them to Microsoft, although I expect he will get some sort of compensation if he co-operates something like 3 months of Xbox live gold should cover it knowing Microsoft.
 
Heh, my boss was telling me a few weeks ago that he tried to buy domain names in the mid 90's just to try and get a whole load of cash from it. He bought BMW.co.uk back in 95-96. BMW contacted him, bought it for £500 or he would have to face them in court as that domain name is their intellectual property.

He took the £500 and his dreams of a yacht were in tatters :)
 
LOL and that's how this will end, he will get a token gesture for his troubles and sent on his way or they will take him to court whilst all the time telling him if he loses (which he will) he will have to pay all the court costs,and I reckon Mircosofts lawyers are not cheap.
 
Well, I'd have to think in court they'd rule that he doesn't owe them anything. If he owned it first, how can he predict the future?? Although, the fact that he bought XboxOne.com ahead of it ever existing might be evidence to the contrary. :)
 
Buying anything with the word "Xbox" is a loss in a court battle. Especially since the guy bought it in 2011, years after the Xbox was first heard of. I'm more curious to know how this guy came up with the idea of buying XboxOne.com in 2011. He must be able to predict the future xD
 
How does Microsoft first name the console and only after they announce it go see if the website is available?
They really should take the time to think these things through.
 
They know they can get the domain, whether they have to go to court over it or not I guess.
 
Wow, this guy's getting sued for owning something that someone else wants. Seriously, that's what's happening. It's like what would happen if a 4 year old would sue someone.
 
I'm sure Microsoft has "Xbox" trademarked. So in a court battle, they would win any domain they wanted. If they wanted XboxOneForums.com, I'm sure they could grab it. Seeing how the XboxOne.com domain doesn't even point to any website other than being hosted by Godaddy, I don't see it as a problem. Now if it were a site like ours here, then it would be worth arguing over.
 
That's really too bad for the site owner but it does all depend on the registration dates of various things. It sounds like he should be in the clear - at least to receive a settlement from Microsoft for the domain.

On the other hand, using a copyrighted name in your domain can always be iffy business. I've never had it backfire but have heard it often. I used to have best kinect game dot com, Microsoft owns the plural of that. Didn't keep it long enough to come to their attention but it was sure fun for a while.
 
Microsoft should pay generously for it. The guy has owned it for about 2 years now. But suing him for owning the domains he bought before anyone even heard of the name.... I feel bad for the guy he should have sold them when he had the chance.
 
purpleguardian said:
Wow! That's insane, they sued him! How can Microsoft even run a buisness with that attitude? They could just ask him nicely to fork over the site or buy it off the owner for a little bit of money. Wow... I can't believe that.
Click to expand...

Pretty much every company does this, there are now laws in place that will forcibly remove domain ownership from squatters.
 
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