Microsoft lawyers threaten Mike Rowe

Found on The Register on Sunday, 18 January 2004
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In what could easily be mistaken for an Onion story, Microsoft has unleashed the full fury of its lawyers on 17-year-old Canadian high-school student, Mike Rowe, demanding the handover of his Internet domain.

The domain? MikeRoweSoft.com. No, seriously.

Mike told us that when an email from Microsoft's Canadian lawyers Smart & Biggar arrived on 19 November laying out its complaint, he was "amazed and appalled". He replied saying he didn't want to hand over the domain and didn't feel there was any risk it would damage Microsoft's name.

By making the situation public though, Mike tells us he has been bolstered. "After going to the press, I have realised that I should stick it out till the end. After the massive amount of support I have received from people across the globe I am motivated to stick with what I believe in."

It's getting ridiculous. I could understand it if it was another TLD, like microsoft.cc or so; but just because it sounds similar? Perhaps it won't take long until they pay attention to MicroSuck. After all, this name really describes Microsoft...