Visa International (the credit card people) have threatened a Malaysian blogger for using the domain name visa. com/my for his blog. (my - international code for Malaysia)
The company did own the domain name and let it lapse.
The blogger bought it.
A US legal firm contacted the blogger and told him he had 7 days to give up the name or they will take action.
They say this is a trademark infringement.
Is it?
The blogger didn’t buy it for a higher rate of re-sell (cyber-squatting).
His purchase was legal, and wasn’t made to tick off a multi-national.
How is this injurious to the company?
Visa International legal representatives could have taken a different route, but they have chosen to issue an order.
Legal or not, I’m not at all optimistic for the blogger.
This is a huge company that can walk over anyone it wants to.
Visa International (if it is so concerned) could have shown some respect.
The legal representatives could make different decisions.
Is this just another company using legal threats to make this blog disappear - the cost of doing business?
His 7 days started today.
So, if I’m counting correctly July 4th he gives them what they want or…
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Sigh, they’re such big bullies. Couldn’t they have handled this better? But of course, since they’re swimming in money they don’t have to care what people think of them. Thanks for the link, Bene.
They don’t have to be bullies, a lot of companies don’t behave this way.
So far, it’s their choice.
Thanks for highlighting this, Bene. Am really mad about the whole thing.
I wonder if Visa ™ will go after all those countries that use visas as the name of the document used to give one permission to visit their country?
How can the use of a generic term for a public document be a trademark infringment?