Cybersquatter hands over domains — and up to $15,000 cash.
In terms of domain name cybersquatting and trademark settlements, it’s hardly the biggest judgment. The difference is that this one involves someone who will actually have to pay up and it will certainly hurt his pocketbook.
Earlier this year Domain Name Wire wrote about a lawsuit filed by Hells Angels against Terry Myers. Myers registered a bunch of domain names that included Hells Angels Motorcycle Corporation trademarks and listed many of them for sale on eBay. Hells Angels sued Myers for $2M.
Myers ended up settling the case. He agreed to transfer the domain names, acknowledge Hells Angels’ trademarks, and pay up to $15,000, according to court records. (It’s $10,000 if he pays it by January 2010).
That should be a lesson to anyone thinking “what’s the worst that can happen”. Myers is no different from many people who think they can make a quick buck buying a trademark domain and selling it on eBay. Only he picked a fight with the wrong people.
Anunt says
Asked for $2M and settled for $10k…hahaha
Andrew Allemann says
@anunt – it’s not like they really wanted $2M. $10k is going to be a lot to this guy. Most of the time the defendant just agrees to hand over the domains.
WQ says
He’s lucky they didn’t pay him a visit.
Well, not yet anyways.
Larry Seltzer says
In exchange, the Angels agreed not to beat the living crap out of Myers.
Gazzip says
At least he gets to keep his kneecaps 🙂
jblack says
Understood Mongols’ TM was revoked by the USPTO, wonder how H.A.s get to keep that one. (These seem one step removed from legally legitimizing a swastika or other symbols that have so well advanced human development. Not. Guess we’ll see patent applications on gang sign flash techniques next.)
Curious says
jblack, some people in the world regard the Stars and Stripes as an evil symbol. It’s all relative.
Anyway, this clown deserves to pay the Hell’s Angels some beer money and give up the domains. He was pretty stupid to mess with those guys in the first place.
jblack says
Yes, it all relative. Crime is heroic and altruism is criminal. “It just depends”. What a crock. That is a very poor excuse for lack of thought. What others may or may not regard is separate from simple truths and basic standards.
Reece Berg says
The man has balls — I’ll give him that… Seriously, if I were a cybersquatter, that’s probably the last organization I’d want to mess with.
Patrick McDermott says
Andrew,
I think the title should be changed to:
“Hells Angel’s Domains Cybersquatter Pays Up”
When I read the title as written I thought it was a Hell’s Angel that had done the cybersquatting and had to pay up.
——–
“In exchange, the Angels agreed not to beat the living crap out of Myers.”
Don’t be so sure. 🙂
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“At least he gets to keep his kneecaps ”
See above.
Mark says
Good. Too bad they didn’t squeeze his nuts more. I love it when these guys get nailed.
Stephen Douglas says
I think some domain investors are just plain suicidal.
Tell me, please, any domainer reading this article, who would buy a domain name using the Hells Angel’s TM? I don’t want to tell stories here, but I can say confidently, the HA will collect on you, one way or another. As will several of their rival gangs… Let’s soften this up a little with some Forrest Gump:
“Stupid is as stupid does.”
And living a long life is based on avoiding stupidity.
David J Castello says
Back in the day my brother used to bartend at CBGBs in NYC – which was close to the Angel’s NYC HQ. I’ve seen these guys in action and I can assure you that you have to be crazy to mess with them in any way.
John says
Haha, busted! What a moron.
Stephen Douglas says
@David – That’s what they called “dancing with the devil”, literally, after coming out of CBGB’s. yipes
mm says
jblack uh, the Hells Angels are a Coporation, the Mongols had their trademark solely in Ruben Cavosos’s name. Ruben forfeited the club when he was arrested. Do your homework before you stupidly type your lame opinion and comparisons!