Musician’s “sheriff” tries to scare the wrong guy.
Domain investor Michael Berkens’ company Worldwide Media, Inc. has sued (pdf) musician Bryan Adams and his company Adams Communications Inc after the musician’s representative sent a bizarre demand letter.
Berkens bought the domain PointLookout.com in February 2017 when it was auctioned off in an expired domain name auction. He was apparently drawn to the name because it represents a number of geographic locations.
On April 1, 2017 Adams’ representatives at Web Sheriff sent a bizarre demand letter to Worldwide Media. The letter is chock-full of scary terms like “criminal fraud”, ” anti-moneylaundering” and “criminal remedies”. Essentially, it was demanding that Berkens hand over the domain name PointLookout.com to Bryan Adams.
Apparently Adams owns a vacation home called Point Lookout.
Web Sherrif appears to mostly represent musicians around piracy matters, hence the crazy language in its demand letter.
Because of the threats, Worldwide Media, with the help of attorney John Berryhill, filed suit against Adams and his company asking for declaratory relief and for the threats to cease.
Once again, this is a reminder that companies should be careful before firing off broad demand letters without fully evaluating the circumstances and parties.
STRIKER says
I could see the probable outcome of this case potentially contributing to a rather significant negative impact on the “sheriff’s” future revenues.
Tripeee says
Good for Mike and stepping up and actually taking someone to court over their misdeeds.
He could have just complained on twitter and written a blog post, as others who pretend to fight back do , but decided to really fight back and hit infringers where it hurts, their wallets
Andrea Paladini says
The “Sheriff”‘s letter wording is hilarious … 😀
One of the most confused, “creative” and funniest piece I’ve ever read …
BTW, their claim is “creative protection” … lol
John says
I’m shocked, shocked to find that “Berkens’s” is rendered as “Berken’s” in the title of this blog post. :O
Andrew Allemann says
Damn, I got it write in the first paragraph.
Keith DeBoer says
Thank you Mike for sticking up for, not only yourself but, domainers in genreal who are too often bullied by frivolous demand letters from irresponsible legal parties.
Tia Wood says
I don’t see how Bryan Adams has the right to the domain based on property. After further research, it seems Adams has a luxury rental property. Still, I think Berkins has the right to the domain and not Adams.
Additionally, the lawyer’s terminology is ludicrous and will probably lose him the case.
Jothan Frakes says
After this, it might be back to buying six strings at the five and dime
Steve says
Sending minatory correspondence because Mike purchased a domain in an auction that is the same or similar to a geezer rock star’s “vacation home”.? & you wonder how so many of these former “legends of a certain age” end up bankrupt, after earning $millions.
They messed with the wrong guy — Berkens wins this one easy, without even a gunfight at the “Point Lookout” corral.
Louise says
You won’t catch Lana Del Rey pulling that kind of stuff!
tommybutler says
Only Brian Adams had registered the domain in the Summer of 69 he would have been in Heaven, Now he has to Run to You, All for Love of Great Domain, Now he has to Fight the Law, All For Love, of a great Domain You Belong to me, Its a brand new day.