Man beats Microsoft, becomes instant domain expert

[amigamad]

Microsoft has backed down from suing the owner of www.xbox.ws, according to the man himself, Mike Chatha. "Well they said it couldn't happen," begins Mike?s triumphant message, before explaining that a letter from MS four days earlier "appreciates the efforts" made and "considers the matter closed".

The rest of the article is here The register

[Paul_Gadd]

Stupid bastards, m$ should have offered the guy a decent amount of money instead of scare tactics which are useless and clearly not needed.

Well done Mike.

[Cyberus]

reminds me of that episode of the Simpsons where Bill Gates and his lawyers go to close Homer's business down...they turn up and snap his pencils...

[Brian]

I find it a bit disturbing that M$ doesn't look into the law a little before sending out the standard "we will sue you for all your worth and a bit more template" mail. I think he should get some $ in compensation for the threats.

On the other hand of him sudently being an expert in the subject cause M$ gave up the hunt for a useless domain that is pro M$ is bs. Who in their right mind pay that much money to subscribe to a newsletter from a complete stranger just to see a responce letter from M$?

[weirdami]

That's not much of an article. What's it about, anyway? Seems like an advert, or even more so, a blog entry.

In anycase, "xbox" is hardly copyrightable. I'm pretty sure there's something called an xbox that has to do with voice mail or something. He could have easily put up a notice saying that the domain he's selling would be perfect for someone in the voice mail industry.

[mikeymike]

@ Paul_Gadd

Well, I think you'd be surprised how many companies think scare tactics are perfectly acceptable tactics, let alone whole new avenues of money-making they hadn't considered before.

[SilvrDrgn]

I think he should get some $ in compensation for the threats.

Hehehe.... I want compensation for the 150-200 worm/spam Email messages PER DAY that I'm getting for the "Latest MS Security Update".  If it weren't for Microsoft's swiss cheese software, I wouldn't be spending 90% of my time weeding out the crap just so I can read valid messages!   (Thank goodness for Mailwasher Pro!)

[Madgun68]

In anycase, "xbox" is hardly copyrightable. I'm pretty sure there's something called an xbox that has to do with voice mail or something. He could have easily put up a notice saying that the domain he's selling would be perfect for someone in the voice mail industry.

Xbox most likely already has been copyrighted. I doubt Microsoft would stick with a name they can't/couldn't copyright.

I find this suspicious. Some of what was said in that document sent to the guy probably was enforcable. (I'm assuming at this point that the Xbox X logo was being used at some point, since it was mentioned.) It's also kinda funny that he states that xbox.ws is supposed to be some sort of developer portal when it's nothing more than a weak news site containing mostly advertisements for his fabulous defeat of Microsoft.

As far as I'm concerned, this guy isn't entitled to a single cent.