Archived Domain Name Disputes

Archived Information for Domain Name Disputes

NOTE: The content provided on this page is archived from 1998.

The Whole Story, Told in Sequence It's always enlightening to place information in context of time. This is an effort to construct a chronological history of domain name disputes, using all possible on-line documentation and resources. I've kept my own commentary to a severe minimum (so far!).

Most of the links generally lead to the same information as those on the disputes-by-category page but they're in chronological order; also this page includes relevant policies and is overall much more inclusive of documentary details.

At the moment, every entry is a link to another site. Later, copyrights permitting, I will try to include as much material as possible on the domains.org site, and I'll also add notes at their appropriate dates, for significant events and materials for which I have found no online document.
Entries are categorized as POLICY, LEGAL DOCUMENT, ARTICLE, ANALYSIS, etc. in color-coded capitals before each one.
Where you see numbers in brackets [1], [2], etc., the numbers link to the same document at different locations.
Entries are usually followed by parentheses containing the domain names or issues to which the article or document refers. Using your browser's "Find" function to locate "dci.com" will therefore lead to most of the entries which touch upon that subject.

1981
"This memorandum is intended to stimulate discussion, not simulate it." RFC 799

PROPOSED POLICY: September 1981: RFC 799: Internet Name Domains by D. L. Mills "In the long run, it will not be practicable for every internet host to include all internet hosts in its name-address tables. Even now, with over four hundred names and nicknames in the combined ARPANET-DCNET tables, this has become awkward. Some sort of hierarchical name-space partitioning can easily be devised to deal with this problem; however, it has been wickedly difficult to find one compatible with the known mail systems throughout the community. The one proposed here is the product of several discussions and meetings and is believed both compatible with existing systems and extensible for future systems involving thousands of hosts." [This is probably the original introduction of the idea of domain names as they now exist. - DL]

1983

"The need for domain names As applications grow to span multiple hosts, then networks, and finally internets, these applications must also span multiple administrative boundaries and related methods of operation (protocols, data formats, etc.). The number of resources (for example mailboxes), the number of locations for resources, and the diversity of such an environment cause formidable problems when we wish to create consistent methods for referencing particular resources that are similar but scattered throughout the environment." RFC 882

POLICY: November 1983: RFC 881: The Domain Names Plan and Schedule by J. Postel "Domain style names are being introduced in the Internet to allow a controlled delegation of the authority and responsibility for adding hosts to the system. This also allows a subdivision of the task of maintaining information about hosts."

POLICY: November 1983: RFC 882: Domain Names: Concepts and Facilities "This RFC introduces domain style names, their use for ARPA Internet mail and host address support, and the protocols and servers used to implement domain name facilities. This memo describes the conceptual framework of the domain system and some uses, but it omits many uses, fields, and implementation details. A complete specification of formats, timeouts, etc. is presented in RFC 883, "Domain Names - Implementation and Specification". That RFC assumes that the reader is familiar with the concepts discussed in this memo."

POLICY: November 1983: RFC 883: Domain Names - Implementation and Specification "This memo discusses the implementation of domain name servers and resolvers, specifies the format of transactions, and discusses the use of domain names in the context of existing mail systems and other network software."

1984

"The Purpose of Domains: Domains are administrative entities. The purpose and expected use of domains is to divide the name management required of a central administration and assign it to sub-administrations. RFC 920

POLICY: October 1984: RFC 920: Domain Requirements by J. Postel and J. Reynolds "Status of this Memo: This memo is a policy statement on the requirements of establishing a new domain in the ARPA-Internet and the DARPA research community. This is an official policy statement of the IAB and the DARPA. Distribution of this memo is unlimited. Introduction: This memo restates and refines the requirements on establishing a Domain first described in RFC-881 [1]. It adds considerable detail to that discussion, and introduces the limited set of top level domains."

1986

"These guidelines haven't changed any of the flexibility of the system." RFC 973

POLICY: January 1986: RFC 973: Domain System Changes and Observations "This RFC documents updates to Domain Name System specifications RFC-882 [1] and RFC-883 [2], suggests some operational guidelines, and discusses some experiences and problem areas in the present system. Distribution of this memo is unlimited. This document includes all changes to the Domain System through January, 1986."

1987

"... However, the domain system is intentionally extensible. Researchers are continuously proposing, implementing and experimenting with new data types, query types, classes, functions, etc. Thus while the components of the official protocol are expected to stay essentially unchanged and operate as a production service, experimental behavior should always be expected in extensions beyond the official protocol." RFC 1034

ARTICLE: (undated) 1987: Introduction to the Internet Protocols: Keeping track of names and information: the domain system by Charles L. Hedrick

POLICY: November 1987: RFC 1034: Domain Names - Concepts and Facilities "Obsoletes: RFCs 882, 883, 973 ... This RFC is an introduction to the Domain Name System (DNS), and omits many details which can be found in a companion RFC, "Domain Names - Implementation and Specification" [RFC-1035]. That RFC assumes that the reader is familiar with the concepts discussed in this memo."

POLICY: November 1987: RFC 1035: Domain Names - Implementation and Specification "This RFC describes the details of the domain system and protocol, and assumes that the reader is familiar with the concepts discussed in a companion RFC, "Domain Names - Concepts and Facilities" [RFC-1034]."

1993

"Estimated Total Amount: $4,219,339 Effective Date: January 1, 1993 Expiration Date: September 30, 1998" NSF Cooperative Agreement No. NCR-9218742

POLICY: 1 January 1993: NSF Cooperative Agreement No. NCR-9218742 This was the original contract between the U.S. Government (NSF) and NSI: "This agreement is entered into between the United States of America, Hereinafter called the Government, represented by the National Science Foundation, hereinafter called the Foundation or NSF, and Network Solutions, Incorporated, hereinafter called the Awardee. " ... G. Possible future changes in the registration services provided under this Agreement may include, but shall not be limited to, the use of alternate registration/numbering systems or schemes and the imposition of a user based fee structure. However, in no case shall any user based fee structure be imposed or changed without the express direction/approval of the NSF Program Official. "

POLICY: March 1993: RFC 1400: Transition and Modernization of the Internet Registration Service (InterNIC/NSI)

LEGAL DOCUMENT: 9 December 1993: Playboy v. Frena: Order An early case which established trademark infringement on a bulletin board system.

1994

"The InterNIC has facilitated the illegal use of the Marks by first allowing, and then refusing to reassign the domain name, 'knowledgenet.com.'" Amended Complaint

POLICY: March 1994: RFC 1591: Domain Name System Structure and Delegation by J. Postel [1] [2] [3] [4] [5]

LEGAL DOCUMENT: 28 March 1994: Sega Enterprises v. Maphia, et al: Findings in Support of Seizure and Preliminary Injunction Another early case which established trademark infringement on a bulletin board system.

POLICY: 1 April 1994 thru 31 March 1995: NSF Cooperative Agreement No. NCR-9218742, Amendment 1 "This amendment increases the funds available under Cooperative Agreement No. NCR-9218742 by $1,258,457."

ARTICLE: 10 May 1994: Press Release by Adam Curry: MTV Sues Curry (mtv.com) [1] [2]

ARTICLE: July 1994: Wired: Billions Registered by Joshua Quittner (mcdonalds.com)

ARTICLE: 11 August 1994: The Washington Post: Address for Success: Internet Name Game; Individuals Snap Up Potentially Valuable Corporate E-Mail IDs (mtv.com) (kaplan.com)

LEGAL DOCUMENT: 28 October 1994: MTV v. Adam Curry: Memorandum and Order (mtv.com) [1] [2]

ARTICLE: November 1994: Jewels of the Internet, Part 15 (name grabbing)

LEGAL DOCUMENT: 12 December 1994: KnowledgeNet Inc. v. Boone, NSI, Digital Express: Amended Complaint (knowledgenet.com) This lawsuit was the first to name NSI in a trademark-related complaint and influenced NSI's adoption of its controversial domain name dispute policy which gave inordinate precedence to trademark claims.

1995

Jan Feb Mar Apr May June Jul Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec

"A related but distinct area of potential conflict arises when there is a domain name in which no one has any particular accumulated goodwill, and starts to use it. Examples might be flowers.com or attorney.com. One can assume that there will sooner or later be squabbles between people who want to exclude other people from using similar domain names (e.g. flower.com or attorneys.com) on the grounds that it will lead to confusion." Carl Oppedahl, February 1995 New York Law Journal: Internet Domain Names that Infringe Trademarks

ARTICLE: (undated) 1995: Trademarking Domain Names: Questions and Answers (analysis)

LAW: 15 USC 1125 Federal unfair competition (43a), and Federal Trademark Dilution Act of 1995 (43c)

January

POLICY: 4 January 1995: NSF Cooperative Agreement No. NCR-9218742, Amendment 2 (Personnel changes.)

February

ARTICLE: 9 February 1995: Chicago Daily Law Bulletin: Trademark Attorneys Discover Cyberspace

ARTICLE: 14 February 1995: New York Law Journal: Internet Domain Names that Infringe Trademarks by Carl Oppedahl

March

ARTICLE: Spring 1995: Computer Law Association: Chapter 3. Trademark Protection For Internet Domain Names by André Brunel

PRESS RELEASE: 25 March 1995: Press Release: Genesis Project Ltd: Internic Screw-Up: GAP Inc and Genesis Project about to reach settlement. Stop Press: Internic put thegap.com on hold! (thegap.com)

April

POLICY: 1 April 1995 thru 31 March 1996: NSF Cooperative Agreement No. NCR-9218742, Amendment 3 "The Cooperative Agreement, as amended, is further amended as follows: "Under Article 8.B1., delete $2,420,702, and substitute $4,369,334, of which [ Proprietary Figure Omitted ] "Under Article 8.C., delete $2,420,702 and substitute $4,369,334. By this amendment, $1,948,632 covers performance through September 30, 1995. "It is understood that funding for Awardees performance beyond September 30, 1995 will require either the allotment of additional funds or NSF approval to initiate fees for registration services in accordance with Article 3.G. of the Cooperative Agreement. " ("Proprietary Figure Omitted"??? - DL)

ARTICLE: 10 April 1995: Richmond Journal of Law and Technology: Trademarks Along the Infobahn: A First Look at the Emerging Law of Cybermarks by Dan L. Burk (mtv.com) (kaplan.com) (mcdonalds.com)

May

June

July

POLICY: July 1995: NSI Domain Dispute Resolution Policy Statement [1] [2] [3] [4]

POLICY: 28 July 1995: Network Solutions Announces Internet Domain Name Policy: NSI Domain Dispute Resolution Policy Press Release by D.Graves and S.Volek [1] [2] [3] [4]

August

ARTICLE: 8 August 1995: New York Law Journal: Avoiding the Traps in the New Rules for Registering a Domain Name by Carl Oppedahl

September

POLICY: 13 September 1995: Re: NSF Cooperative Agreement No. NCR-9218742, Amendment 4, Response to Mitchell "SUBJECT: Imposition of Fees for Second Level Domain Name Registrations"

POLICY: 13 September 1995: NSF Cooperative Agreement No. NCR-9218742, Amendment 4 "The purpose of this amendment is to modify the agreement to allow for the collection of user fees for registration services and establish the provisions for the use, disbursement and accountability of Program Income generated by such fees."

POLICY: 13 September 1995 (effective date): Fee for Registration of Domain Names [1] [2]

POLICY: 14 September 1995 (effective 1 October 1995): NSI: Fee for Registration of Domain Names [1] [2]

ARTICLE: 18 September 1995: InfoWorld: From the News Desk: Pay to register? What is this -- the DMV? by Jai Singh

ARTICLE: 18 September 1995: InfoWorld: NSF ends Internet subsidy; domain names to cost $50 by Nick Wingfield

October

ARTICLE: Fall 1995: Arent Fox: What's in a (Domain) Name? by Marilyn Tiki Dare

POLICY: 1 October 1995 (effective date): NSI: Fee for Registration of Domain Names [1] [2]

POLICY: 23 October 1995 (effective 23 November 1995): NSI Domain Name Dispute Policy by G.Clark and D.Graves [1] [2]

ARTICLE: 30 October 1995: PCWeek: Internet Growth Spurs Administration Changes by Michael Moeller (NSI)

ARTICLE: 30 October 1995: PCWeek: Parting with BART and Playing (Domain) Name Game by Spencer F. Katt (name grabbing)

November

ARTICLE: November 1995: Internet World: The Name Game by Joel Snyder (name grabbing)

POLICY: November 1995: NSI's Indemnification Agreement

ARTICLE: 1 November 1995: UseNet: Re: Valuation of Domain Names by Carl Oppedahl

ARTICLE: 7 November 1995: The Netly News: Bad Words

POLICY: 15 November 1995: The InterNIC Guardian by J.Singh and M.Kosters "1. Introduction This document proposes a model to authorize changes made to the Objects (Domains, Networks, Autonomous System Numbers, and Hosts) registered with the InterNIC. The registration activity at the InterNIC has increased exponentially with the rapid growth of the Internet. In the absence of a formal authorization model, the likelihood of making malicious changes to the registered Objects has also increased and could have serious consequences at the affected sites. For example, an unauthorized update could lead a commercial organization to lose its presence on the Internet until that update is reversed."

ANALYSIS: 20 November 1995: FNC's Role in the DNS Issue by Mike St. Johns, Member FNC Executive Committee (analysis)

ARTICLE: 20 November 1995: A competitive DNS operational structure by Paul V. Mockapetris (competitive domain registration)

POLICY: 23 November 1995 (effective date): NSI Domain Name Dispute Policy by G.Clark and D.Graves [1] [2] [3] [4]

ARTICLE: 26 Nov 1995: (from the defcon mailing list) The Gap throws its weight at an Ireland provider? by Carolyn Meinel

ARTICLE: 28 November 1995: New York Law Journal: Changes in Domain-Name Rules Could Result in Ownership Loss by Carl Oppedahl

December

ARTICLE: 8 December 1995: Are Trademarks Lost in Cyberspace? by Annette M. Mulee (mtv.com) (mcdonalds.com)

ARTICLE: 27 December 1995: Do You Own Your Name in Cyberspace? by Mark Radcliffe [1] [2]

1996

Jan Feb Mar Apr May June Jul Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec

"Network Solutions was sued by a disgruntled applicant and registered trademark owner, KnowledgeNet, Inc., when it discovered that knowledgenet.com had already been taken by a consultant in Virginia. Partly in response to that suit, Network Solutions adopted a policy on domain names that has two central themes. It requires applicants to indemnify Network Solutions, and it gives preference to the owners of federally registered trademarks in disputes over domain names." Mark Vorhees, March 1996 InfoLawAlert: Internet Name Policy Draws Suit it was Intended to Avoid

"Trademarks are registered in a system that permits many companies to share a name legitimately without interfering with each other, such as Sun Photo, Sun Oil and Sun Microsystems. Domain names only permit one user of a name; there is only one sun.com, which Sun Microsystems registered first. Neither lawyers nor governments can make ten pounds of names fit into a one-pound bag. "Like trademarks, Internet names have traditionally been assigned first come, first served. Users of these names must be permitted to use any unassigned name unless they use it in a way that actually infringes on a trademark. If roadrunner.com sells cartoons or Acme Anvils, it is in trouble; if it sells computers, Warner Brothers has no legitimate complaint. Network Solutions Incorporated (NSI) has shown itself poor at adjudicating such complaints. That is a job for the courts, which have procedural protections for the innocent as well as proper punishments for the guilty." John Gilmore July 1996 Letter to The Economist

January

POLICY: January 1996: RFC 1876: (Category: Experimental) A Means for Expressing Location Information in the Domain Name System [1] [2]

ARTICLE: 15 January 1996: Advertising Age: Hasbro, Mattel Play for Keeps in Cyberspace by Kate Fitzgerald

ARTICLE: 23 January 1996: MediaCentral: MTV "Loose" on the Web by Frances Katz (mtv.com)

February

ARTICLE: (February?) 1996: Trademarks on the Internet: Who's in Charge? by David W. Maher (analysis)

ARTICLE: 1 February 1996: C|Net: Hasbro Finds candyland.com Offensive by Rose Aguilar (candyland.com)

ARTICLE: 6 February 1996: The Seattle Times: Porn Firm is Ordered to Vacate Net Address by Thomas W. Haines (candyland.com)

LEGAL DOCUMENT: 9 February 1996: Hasbro, Inc. v. Internet Entertainment Group: Preliminary Injunction (candyland.com) [1] [2]

ARTICLE: 9 February 1996: InfoLawAlert: Antidilution Trademark Law Gets First Court Case (avon.com)

LEGAL DOCUMENT: 9 February 1996: Hasbro v. Internet Entertainment Group: Preliminary Injunction against Internet Entertainment Group (candyland.com) [1] [2]

ARTICLE: 9 February 1996: The Netly News: Taken Down

POLICY: 12 February 1996: U.S. Patent and Trademark Office: Registration of Domain Names in the Trademark Office [The USPTO no longer provides this document on its website, and indicates it is under revision - 27 March 1997]

ARTICLE: 16 February 1996: Tasty Animals - Editorial by Mike Doughney (peta.org)

ARTICLE: 22 February 1996: AlterNIC's RFC: Suggestions for Market-Based Allocation of IP Address Blocks (competitive domain registration)

ARTICLE: 26 February 1996: San Jose Mercury News: Trademarks face a brave new world -- the Internet by Simon L. Garfinkel (newton.com)

March

LEGAL DOCUMENT: 26 March 1996: Roadrunner v. NSI: Complaint (roadrunner.com) [1] [2]

LEGAL DOCUMENT: 26 March 1996: Roadrunner v. NSI: Declaration of Jane M. Hill in Support of Motion for Preliminary Injunction (roadrunner.com)

LEGAL DOCUMENT: 26 March 1996: Roadrunner v. NSI: Memorandum in Support of Plaintiff's Motion for Preliminary Injunction (roadrunner.com) [1] [2]

ARTICLE: 29 March 1996: InfoLawAlert: Internet Name Policy Draws Suit it was Intended to Avoid by Mark Voorhees (roadrunner.com) [1] [2] [3]

ARTICLE: 31 March 1996: The Tampa Tribune: If You Value Your Name, Register It (roadrunner.com)

ARTICLE: 31 March 1996: Tasty Animals - Editorial: The Dispute Continues by Mike Doughney (peta.org)

April

ARTICLE: Spring 1996: PATSCAN News: Semiotic Scuffle in Cyberspace: Trademark Owners Attack Netjackers

LEGAL DOCUMENT: 1 April 1996: Bellsouth Corp. v. Internet Classifieds: Complaint (realpages.com)

ARTICLE: 8 April 1996: The Netly News: Beep, Beep (roadrunner.com) (peta.org) [1] [2]

LEGAL DOCUMENT: 12 April 1996: Listing of Federal "Roadrunner" Trademarks (roadrunner.com) Provided to the court by Carl Oppedahl.

LEGAL DOCUMENT: 15 April 1996: Roadrunner v. NSI: Amended Complaint (roadrunner.com)

PRESS RELEASE: 15 April 1996: Press Release by Internet Directory: Internet Website is David's Slingshot Against Goliath Bellsouth's Lawsuit (realpages.com)

ARTICLE: 16 April 1996: Georgetown University Law Center: The Problem And Criteria For A Solution

ARTICLE: 16 April 1996: EFF: EFF Opposes Ridiculous and Anti-Net Trademark Bill in Georgia (HB 1630)

LEGAL DOCUMENT: 17 April 1996: Inset Systems Inc. v. Instruction Set, Inc.: Denial of Defendant's Motion to Dismiss (inset.com) [1] [2]

ARTICLE: 18 April 1996: EFF Alert: "Internet Police" bill passes (Georgia HB1630)

ARTICLE: 19 April 1996: InfoLawAlert: Network Solutions to Rework Policy Governing Internet Domain Names

ARTICLE: 19 April 1996: InfoLawAlert: Network Solutions to Rework Policy Governing Internet Domain Names by Mark Voorhees (policy)

ARTICLE: 22 April 1996: Roadrunner's Story: Roadrunner Up Against NSI (roadrunner.com)

PRESS RELEASE: 22 April 1996: Press Release by Internet Directory: Bellsouth Shareholder's Meeting Tarnished By Lone Protester (realpages.com)

LEGAL DOCUMENT: 23 April 1996: Bellsouth v. Internet Classifieds, et al: Defendants' Asnwer to Complaint (realpages.com)

LEGAL DOCUMENT: 25 April 1996: Roadrunner v. NSI: NSI's Answer and Counterclaim for Declaratory Relief (roadrunner.com)

LEGAL DOCUMENT: 25? April 1996: Roadrunner v. NSI: Declaration of Carl Oppedahl (roadrunner.com)

LEGAL DOCUMENT: 26 April 1996: The Comp Examiner Agency (TCE), et al, v. Juris, Inc.: Preliminary Injunction [Against TCE] (juris.com)

ARTICLE: 28 April 1996: Crosby, Heafey, Roach & May: Federal Judge Issues Landmark Rulling of Cyber-Infringement (juris.com)

ARTICLE: 29 April 1996: Web Week: Service Patrols Internet For Illegal Trademark Use by Jeremy Carl

May

ARTICLE: May 1996: BoardWatch: Domain Name Policies Challenged In Court (roadrunner.com)

LEGAL DOCUMENT: 1 May 1996: Roadrunner v. NSI: Scheduling Order (roadrunner.com)

ARTICLE: 3 May 1996: The Boston Globe: What's in a name? By law quite a lot (name grabbing)

LEGAL DOCUMENT: 23 May 1996: Bellsouth Corp. v. Internet Classifieds: Joint Preliminary Statement and Scheduling Order (realpages.com)

LEGAL DOCUMENT: 23 May 1996: Bellsouth Corp. v. Internet Classifieds: Defendants' Independent Preliminary Statement and Scheduling Order (realpages.com)

LEGAL DOCUMENT: 8 May 1996: Data Concepts Inc. v. Digital Consulting Inc.: Complaint (dci.com) [1] [2]

ARTICLE: 8 May 1996: C|Net: Bill Could Protect Trademarked Names

ARTICLE: 12 May 1996: Peta.org Domain Name Placed on Hold by Mike Doughney (peta.org)

LEGAL DOCUMENT: 15 May 1996: Hearst v. Ari Goldberger: Complaint (esqwire.com)

ARTICLE: 17 May 1996: InfoLawAlert: Network Solutions Says Name Policy is "Not Subject to Review" by Courts

LEGAL DOCUMENT: 21 May 1996: Roadrunner v. NSI: Stipulated Order [Dismissing Preliminary Injunction as Moot] (roadrunner.com)

ARTICLE: 21 May 1996: New York Law Journal: NSI Domain Name Dispute Policy Puts Owners at Significant Risk

LEGAL DOCUMENT: 23 May 1996: Data Concepts Inc. v. Digital Consulting Inc. and NSI: Motion for Preliminary Injunction (dci.com) [1] [2]

LEGAL DOCUMENT: 23 May 1996: Data Concepts Inc. v. Digital Consulting Inc.: Memorandum in Support of the Motion for Preliminary Injunction (dci.com) [1] [2]

LEGAL DOCUMENT: 24 May 1996: Data Concepts Inc. v. Digital Consulting Inc.: Stipulation and Order [to Dismiss Motion for Injunction] (dci.com) [1] [2]

ARTICLE: 27 May 1996: Network World: Securing Your Domain Name Can Be Risky Business

LEGAL DOCUMENT: 30 May 1996: Roadrunner v. NSI: Declaration of Grant L. Clark (roadrunner.com)

LEGAL DOCUMENT: 30 May 1996: Giacalone v. NSI and Ty, Inc.: Complaint (ty.com) [1] [2] [3]

LEGAL DOCUMENT: 30 May 1996: Roadrunner v. NSI: Declaration of Grant L. Clark, Corporate Counsel for SAIC [Parent Corp of NSI] (roadrunner.com)

LEGAL DOCUMENT: 31 May 1996: Roadrunner v. NSI: Letter from Warner Bros. Counsel (roadrunner.com)

June

ARTICLE: (June?) 1996: CyberLaw: Famous Trademarks by Jonathan Rosenoer (dilution) (candyland.com)

ARTICLE: June 1996: Intellectual Property Law Newsletter: Avon Stops Internet Domain Name User by Caroline Clarke-Jervoise (avon.com)

LEGAL DOCUMENT: June 1996: Dynamic Information Systems Corporation (DISC) v. NSI: Complaint (disc.com)

LEGAL DOCUMENT: 3 June 1996: Roadrunner v. NSI: Memorandum in Support of Defendant's Motion for Summary Judgment (roadrunner.com)

LEGAL DOCUMENT: 3 June 1996: Roadrunner v. NSI: Declaration of David M. Graves, Internet Business Manager for Network Solutions (roadrunner.com) [1] [2]

LEGAL DOCUMENT: 3 June 1996: Roadrunner v. NSI: Letter from Counsel for NSI to Counsel for Roadrunner (roadrunner.com)

LEGAL DOCUMENT: 3 June 1996: Roadrunner v. NSI: Network Solutions Motion To Dismiss (roadrunner.com)

LEGAL DOCUMENT: 3 June 1996: Roadrunner v. NSI: NSI's Memorandum in Support of Motion to Dismiss (roadrunner.com)

ARTICLE: 11 June 1996: The New York Law Journal: Domain Names: Protecting Trademarks on the Internet by Richard Raysman and Peter Brown

LEGAL DOCUMENT: 12 June 1996: Clue Computing Inc. v. NSI: Complaint (clue.com)

LEGAL DOCUMENT: 12 June 1996: Clue Computing Inc. v. NSI: Motion for Temporary Restraining Order and Injunction Against NSI (clue.com)

ARTICLE: 14 June 1996: InfoLawAlert: Roadrunner Not Only Domain Warner Sought To Obtain (roadrunner.com)

ARTICLE: 14 June 1996: InfoLawAlert: Can Network Solutions Escape Ruling on Its Internet Name Policy? (roadrunner.com) [1] [2]

LEGAL DOCUMENT: 14 June 1996: Roadrunner v. NSI: Defendant's Motion for Summary Judgment (roadrunner.com)

LEGAL DOCUMENT: 14 June 1996: Roadrunner v. NSI: Roadrunner's Opposition to NSI's Motion for Summary Judgment (roadrunner.com)

ARTICLE: 14 June 1996: InfoLawAlert: Network Solutions' Second Cross To Bear (dci.com) [1] [2] [3] [4]

LEGAL DOCUMENT: 14 June 1996: Giacalone v. NSI and TY, Inc: Order for Preliminary Injunction Against Ty, Inc. (ty.com)

ARTICLE: 17 June 1996: San Jose Mercury News: Salinas man fights for his good name on the Internet (ty.com)

ARTICLE: 17 June 1996: C|Net: Web Deadbeats to Get Identity Crisis by Alex Lash (NSI)

ARTICLE: 18 June 1996: InfoLawAlert: Roadrunner to Network Solutions: Shame On You (roadrunner.com) (clue.com) (ty.com) [1] [2] [3]

LEGAL DOCUMENT: 19 June 1996: Playboy Enterprises, Inc. v. Chuckleberry, et al: Opinion and Order [Granting Motion for a Finding of Contempt Against Tattilo] (playmen.com) [1] [2]

POLICY: 19 June 1996: InterNIC Domain Fee FAQ

ARTICLE: 20 June 1996: C|Net: Sun Lightens Up on Java Trademark by Denise Shelton (javanco.com)

LEGAL DOCUMENT: 21 June 1996: NSI v. Clue and Hasbro: Complaint for Interpleader (clue.com)

LEGAL DOCUMENT: 24 June 1996: Dynamic Information Systems Corp. v. NSI: Stipulation (disc.com)

LEGAL DOCUMENT: 24 June 1996: Dynamic Information Systems Corp. v. NSI: Motion for Temporary Restraining Order and Injunction (disc.com)

LEGAL DOCUMENT: Dynamic Information Systems v. Network Solutions: Docket as of 24 June 1996

LETTER: 24 June 1996: Letter to InterNIC Re: Ari Goldberger/Esqwire.com by Charles P. LaPolla, counsel to The Hearst Corporation (esqwire.com)

LEGAL DOCUMENT: 25 June 1996: Roadrunner v. NSI: NSI Answer and Counterclaims (roadrunner.com)

ARTICLE: 25 June 1996: C|Net: Domain name sign-up made more secure

ARTICLE: 26 June 1996: NSI Hasn't Got a Clue by Eric Robison (summary to date) (clue.com)

LETTER: 26 June 1996: Letter to InterNIC Re: Esqwire.com by Ari Goldberger (esqwire.com)

ARTICLE: 28 June 1996: C|Net: MSNBC Loses Identity for a Day by Jim Davis (NSI)

ARTICLE: 28 June 1996: InfoLawAlert: Pulling Rabbits From A Hat: Network Solutions Tries Interpleader Route by Mark Voorhees

ARTICLE: Summer 1996: Arent Fox: Recent Trademark Law Developments in Cyberspace By Anthony V. Lupo (candyland.com) (roadrunner.com)

July

ANALYSIS: Summer 1996: Harvard Journal of Law and Technology: Trademark Law Lost In Cyberspace: trademark protection for Internet addresses (analysis)

ARTICLE: July 1996: The St. Louis Lawyer: Protecting Copyrights and Trade Secrets in Cyberspace by Frank R. Agovino (analysis)

LEGAL DOCUMENT: 1 July 1996 (effective date): State of Georgia HB1630: Computer or Telephone Network; Transmitting Misleading Data Part of this controversial law refers to trademarks and may have impact upon domain names.

DOCKET: Roadrunner v. NSI: Docket as of 2 July 1996 (roadrunner.com)

LEGAL DOCUMENT: 3 July 1996: Letter to InterNIC from Hearst Corp. (esqwire.com)

ARTICLE: 8 July 1996: Oops, Our Mistake... We Just Put Your World Wide Web Site Out of Business by Wayne Rash, Jr. (msnbc.com)

LEGAL DOCUMENT: 12 July 1996: Hearst Corp. v. Ari Goldberger: Motion To Dismiss Complaint and Memorandum in Support Thereof (esq.wire)

LEGAL DOCUMENT: 12 July 1996: ActMedia, Inc. v. Active Media International, Inc.: Final Judgment and Permanent Injunction (for the Plaintiff) (actmedia.com) [1] [2]

ARTICLE: 13 July 1996: The Economist: Letters: You Name It - by EFF co-founder John Gilmore (policy)

DOCKET: Giacalone v. Network Solutions, et al: Docket as of 17 July 1996 (ty.com)

LETTER: 17 July 1996: Letter to InterNic Re: Esqwire.com by Ari Goldberger (esqwire.com)

ANALYSIS: Background and Docket, Giacalone v. NSI: Last Updated 18 July 1996 (ty.com)

LEGAL DOCUMENT: 22 July 1996: NSI v. Clue Computing: Clue's motion to dismiss Interpleader Complaint (clue.com)

LEGAL DOCUMENT: (22 July?) 1996: NSI v. Clue: Amicus brief filed by Carl Oppedahl in support of motion to dismiss

ARTICLE: 29 July 1996: PCWeek: What's in a Name, And Who Owns It? by Linda Bridges

ARTICLE: 30 July 1996: InfoWorld: Infighting threatens Internet's commercial viability by Rob Guth

August

POLICY: August 1996: IANA Top Level Domain Policy: New Registries and Domains Summary (TLDs)

PROPOSED POLICY: August 1996: IETF Internet-Draft: New Registries and the Delegation of International Top Level Domains by J. Postel (TLDs)

PROPOSED POLICY: August 1996: IETF Internet-Draft: Creation of and Registration in the ".NUM" TLD by M. Schultz (TLDs)

ARTICLE: 3 August 1996: C|Net: Getting down to .BIZness (TLDs) (competitive domain registration)

ARTICLE: 5 August 1996: Info World: Battle rages for Internet domains -- International groups struggle over jurisdiction of trademarks and names on Web

ARTICLE: 5 August 1996: PCWeek: What's in a name? Lots, if It's a Domain by Margaret Kane (competitive domain registration)

ARTICLE: 6 August 1996: The Economist: Names Writ in Water (roadrunner.com)

ANALYSIS: Background and Docket: Porsche Cars North A, et al v. Chen, et al: Last Updated 8 August 1996 (porsche.com)

ANALYSIS: Background and Docket, American Commercial, et al (Mikasa) v. Sports & Leisure, NSI, et al: Last Updated 12 August 1996

ANALYSIS: Background and Docket: Knowledgenet Inc. v. Network Solutions et al.: Last Updated 12 August 1996 (knowledgenet.com)

ANALYSIS: Background and Docket: Panavision Intl L P v. Dennis Toeppen and NSI: Last Updated 12 August 1996 (panavision.com)

ANALYSIS: Background and Docket: Prestone Products v. Maynerd Collision, NSI, et al: Last Updated 12 August 1996

ARTICLE: 14 August 1996: C|Net: InterNIC is not a Net cop (dispute policy)

ARTICLE: 15 August 1996: InfoWorld: Critics slam new policy on contested Web domain names by James Niccolai

ARTICLE: 16 August 1996: Letter to the Editor of the San Francisco Recorder by Carl Oppedahl (policy)

LEGAL DOCUMENT: 19 August 1996: Inset Systems Inc. v. Instruction Set Inc.: Denial of Defendant's Motion to Dismiss (cybergold.com)

LEGAL DOCUMENT: 19 August 1996: Maritz, Inc. v. Cybergold, Inc.: Memorandum and Order (cybergold.com)

ARTICLE: 22 August 1996: C|Net: .Com stands for competition (gTLDs) (competitive domain registration)

ARTICLE: 23 August 1996: C|Net: Fight Over Domain Continues (TLDs)

ARTICLE: 24 August 1996: AP: Electronic Traffic Cop by Evan Ramstead (NSI) (roadrunner.com)

ARTICLE: 25 August 1996: Newsday.com: What's In a Name? A Lot of Money If It's Your Domain

ARTICLE: 26 August 1996: PCWeek: Letters to the Editor (name grabbing)

LEGAL DOCUMENT: 29 August 1996: Maritz v. Cybergold: Memorandum and Order (cybergold.com)

September

2 September 1996: InfoWorld: Monopoly breakup may create domain chaos by James Niccolai

LEGAL DOCUMENT: 3 September 1996: American Standard v. Toeppen: Order Granting Preliminary Injunction (americanstandard.com)

ARTICLE: 3 September 1996: New York Law Journal: NSI's Fourth Domain Name Policy Leaves Owners With Few Options by Carl Oppedahl

ARTICLE: 4 September 1996: C|Net: Perspectives: Who the hell does the IANA think it is? by Margie Wylie (IANA)

POLICY: 9 September 1996: Network Solutions’ Domain Name Dispute Policy (Rev 02) [1] [2] [3] [4 (html)] [5]

ARTICLE: 9 September 1996: Analysis and Suggestions Regarding NSI Domain Name Trademark Dispute Policy by Carl Oppedahl

LEGAL DOCUMENT: 9 Sept 1996: Bensusan Restaurant v. Richard B. King d/b/a The Blue Note: Dismissal of Complaint (thebluenote.com) For an analysis, see http://cla.org/CaseDevlps/2cir.n22.htm, subheading No Jurisdiction In New York Courts Over Missouri Web Site.

ARTICLE: 9 September 1996: CWI: Net plan masks power bid by Kenneth Hart

ARTICLE: 9 September 1996: InfoWorld: From The Ether: Another way the Internet could possibly collapse: too many domain names by Bob Metcalfe

ARTICLE: 10 September 1996: Internet Domain Names: Whose Domain Is This? by Robert Shaw (analysis) [1] [2]

ARTICLE: 12 September 1996: C|Net: Company retains identity (americanstandard.com)

LEGAL DOCUMENT: 13 September 1996: The Hearst Corp. v. Ari Goldberger: Civil Procedure 56(c) for a Continuance to Take Additional Discovery (esqwire.com)

ARTICLE: 13 September 1996: InfoWorld: Internet Domain Name system continues to suffer growing pains by Rebecca Sykes

ANALYSIS: 18 September 1996: MIDS: Is the InterNIC's Dispute Policy Unconstitutional? by Mikki Barry (analysis)

LEGAL DOCUMENT: 19 September 1996: Panavision International v. Toeppen: Denial of Toeppen's Motion to Quash the Summons and Dismiss for Lack of Personal Jurisdiction (panavision.com) [1] [2] [3]

ARTICLE: 23 September 1996: CWI: Power struggle over Net's fate [Part 1: Lawyers backed by status quo] [Part 2: 'Terrorists' stake their claim] by Kenneth Hart

ARTICLE: 23 September 1996: CWI: Defiance greets new domains plan by Kenneth Hart

LEGAL DOCUMENT: 25 September 1996: Hearst Corp. v. Ari Goldberger: Defendant's Memorandum In Reply To Plaintiff's Memorandum In Opposition To Defendant's Motions To Dismiss For Lack Of Personal Jurisdiction, Improper Venue, Failure To State A Claim Or, Alternatively To Transfer Venue; And In Opposition To Plaintiff's Alternative Cross-Motion For A Continuance Pursuant To Federal Rule 56(F) (esqwire.com) (Say that real fast three times. - DL)

October

ARTICLE: October 1996: Boardwatch: A Domain by Any Other Name! by David Hakala and Jack Rickard (TLDs) (policy)

ARTICLE: October 1996: Wired: Roadrunner, InterNIC's After You (knowledgenet.com) (roadrunner.com)

LEGAL DOCUMENT: 3 October 1996: Intermatic v. Toeppen: Report and Recommendation by Magistrate Judge Morton Denlow [Recommending Judgment and Relief for Intermatic] (intermatic.com) [1] [2]

ANALYSIS: 3 October 1996: Computer Law Association: Intermatic Inc. v Toeppen: Magistrate Judge Recommends Enjoining Domain Name "Hijacker" Under Dilution Statutes by Barry D. Weiss

ARTICLE: 21 October 1996: CWI: New setup takes hold of Net by Kenneth Hart

PRESS RELEASE: 22 October 1996: IAHC Press Release: Blue Ribbon International Panel to Examine Enhancements to Internet Domain Name System (gTLDs) (competitive domain registration)

ARTICLE: 22 October 1996: New York Law Journal: Remedies in Internet Domain Name Trademark Lawsuits by Carl Oppedahl (actmedia.com) (intermatic.com) (americanstandard.com) (panavision.com) (avon.com) [1] [2]

ARTICLE: 23 October 1996: C|Net: Critics Slow Domain Name Plan by Margie Wylie (TLDs)

ANALYSIS: 26 October 1996: Toward a Solution to the Domain Name Problem by Andrew C. Greenberg (analysis)

ARTICLE: 28 October 1996: Fenwick & West: Trademark Issues in Cyberspace: The Brave New Frontier by Sally M. Abel and Marilyn Tiki Dare

LEGAL DOCUMENT: 29 October 1996: NSI v. Clue Computing and Hasbro: Order of Dismissal (clue.com) [1] [2]

LEGAL DOCUMENT: 29 October 1996: Toys R Us v. Acme Distributors, et al d/b/a Adults "R" Us: Order Granting Plaintiff's Preliminary Injunction (adultsrus.com)

PRESS RELEASE: 30 October 1996: INTA Press Release: INTA Appointed To Select International Internet Domain Name Panel

November

PROPOSED POLICY: November 1996: IETF Internet-Draft: Top Level Domain Classification and Categorization by Simon Higgs (TLDs) [1] [2]

LEGAL DOCUMENT: 1 November 1996: Panavision International v. Toeppen and NSI: (1) Order Granting In Part And Denying In Part Plaintiff Panavision's Motion For Summary Judgment; (2) Order Granting In Part And Denying In Part Defendant Toeppen's Motion For Summary Judgment: (panavision.com)

ARTICLE: 5 November 1996: C|Net: Name Game for Domain

ARTICLE: 7 November 1996: Computer Law Association: Intermatic Inc. v Toeppen: Judge Recommends Enjoining Domain Name (intermatic.com)

PRESS RELEASE: 8 November 1996: Press Release: SureSite Launches Free Internet Domain Name Investigative Search

POLICY: 11 November 1996: International Ad Hoc Committee (IAHC) Charter (IAHC)

ARTICLE: 11 November 1996: C|Net: Perspectives: Bullies of the Internet by Margie Wylie (reverse hijacking)

PRESS RELEASE: 12 November 1996: IAHC Press Release: New International Committee Named to Resolve Domain Name Issues (IAHC)

ARTICLE: 13 November 1996: C|Net: Ad Hoc Group to Address Domain Dearth by Nick Wingfield (IAHC)

ARTICLE: 18 November 1996: ZDNNews: Critics: Domain Panel Makeup Unfair (IAHC)

LEGAL DOCUMENT: 18 November 1996: Zippo Mfg. Co. v. Zippo Dot Com, Inc.: Summons and Complaint (zippo.com)

ARTICLE: 18 November 1996: Does the Bottle Need to be Broken: The Future of Trademarks and Domain Names by Chris Bovenkamp (analysis)

LEGAL DOCUMENT: 25 November 1996: Pike v. NSI and FSPEC: Complaint (pike.com)

ARTICLE: 25 November 1996: CWI: All change for domain name policy by Kenneth Hart

LEGAL DOCUMENT: 26 November 1996: Intermatic v. Toeppen: Order Adopting Judge Denlow's Report and Recommendations [of 3 October 1996] in Full (intermatic.com) [1] [2]

LEGAL DOCUMENT: 27 November 1996: Panavision International v. Toeppen and NSI: Order Granting NSI's Motion to Dismiss (intermatic.com)

December

ARTICLE: December 1996: Justice & Technology: Domain Names vs. Trademarks -- Who Decides?

PRESS RELEASE: 4 December 1996: INTA Press Release: INTA Prepares Draft Domain Name Policy Proposal [1] [2]

PROPOSED POLICY: 4 December 1996: INTA: Proposed Domain Name Registry Policy

ARTICLE: 4 December 1996: tele.com: The War on Words by Dawn Bushaus

ARTICLE: 4 December 1996: tele.com: RoadRunner Or RoadKill?

ARTICLE: 5 December 1996: InfoWorld: Network Solutions aims to ease domain name registration with new Web service by Rob Guth

ARTICLE: 12 December 1996: NetGuide Live: Spotlight: Master of your Domain

PRESS RELEASE: 19 December 1996: IAHC Press Release: IAHC Makes Its Preliminary Conclusions On Internet Top Level Domains Available for Public Comment (gTLDs) (competitive domain registration)

PROPOSED POLICY: 19 December 1996: IAHC: New Rules for Top Level Domains in the Internet: Draft Specifications for Administration and Management of gTLDs [1] [2]

ARTICLE: 19 December 1996: NetGuide Live: Spotlight: The Name Game

LEGAL DOCUMENT: 19 December 1996: Zippo Dot Com, Inc. v. Zippo Mfg. Co.: Complaint (zippo.com)

ARTICLE: 20 December 1996: C|Net: Net Group Plays Name Game by Janet Kornblum (IAHC) (gTLDs)

ARTICLE: 21 December 1996: The Washington Post: Expansion of Internet Addresses Urged (TLDs)

ARTICLE: 23 December 1996: TechWeb: More Domain Names On The Way by Jeff Sweat

ARTICLE: 26 December 1996: NetGuide Live: Spotlight: Web's Shrinking Domains

ANALYSIS: [undated] 1996: Computer Law Association: Applying the Trademark Misuse Doctrine to Domain Name Disputes by Stephen J. Davidson and Nicole A. Engisch (analysis)

ARTICLE: (Undated) 1996: @News: Controversy @NYPOST.COM (nypost.com)

1997

"A draft proposal published last month aimed to vastly increase the number of Internet domain names and make it easier and cheaper to register them. ... In addition, the proposals would force users to wait 60 days for a requested domain name to allow for a trademark search: A temporary name could be used in the interim. However, critics argue that the wait is pointless, since such a move will not prevent trademark-related lawsuits." Kenneth Cukier February 1997 Communications Week: Internet row prompts major shake-up

January

ANALYSIS: January 1997: Student Lawyer: Welcome to the wide, wide world of domain names, trademarks and the courts (analysis)

ANALYSIS: Regis McKenna Inc. v. Regis Corp. and NSI: Background and Docket, Last Updated 22 January 1997

POLICY: 6 January 1997: NSF Cooperative Agreement No. NCR-9218742, Amendment 5 "... The Foundation hereby approves payment of the Awardee's invoice covering litigation costs with Knowledgenet, Inc. in the (reduced) amount of $74,617. This amount includes only the actual cost of the litigation and associated fee amount. ..." (Yes, that's right, NSI's litigation was paid-for with public funds. - DL)

LEGAL DOCUMENT: 10 January 1997: Hasbro, Inc. v. Clue Computing, Inc.: Complaint (clue.com)

ARTICLE: 10 January 1997: C|Net: Net Address Fees Proposed by Margie Wylie (IP address fees)

PROPOSED POLICY: 14 January 1997: NSI Response to IAHC Draft Proposal

PROPOSED POLICY: 14 January 1997: Comments to the IAHC Draft document fom Nominet and Ukerna [The British NIC] (gTLDs) (competitive domain registration)

ANALYSIS: Travel Impressions, et al v. Kaufman, et al: Background and Docket, Last Updated 14 January 1997 (empresstravel.com)

ARTICLE: 14 January 1997: InfoWorld: Web service offers to make URLs more memorable by Lynda Radosevich

ARTICLE: 16 January 1997: C|Net: ISPs to Fight Address Change by Janet Kornblum (IP address fees)

LEGAL DOCUMENT: 16 January 1997: Cardservice International Inc. v. Webster R. McGee: Memorandum, Order and Permanent Injunction (Against McGee) (cardservice.com)

ARTICLE: 20 January 1997: Communications Week: Internet row prompts major shake-up by Kenneth Cukier (gTLDs)

ARTICLE: 24 January 1997: TechWeb: Top Level Domain By Any Other Name by Bill Frezza

LEGAL DOCUMENT: 27 January 1997: Zippo Mfg. Co. v. Zippo Dot Com, Inc.: Memorandum of Points and Authorities in Support of Defendant's Motion to Transfer Action Under 28 U.S.C. (zippo.com)

LEGAL DOCUMENT: 27 January 1997: Zippo Mfg. Co. v. Zippo Dot Com, Inc.: Affidavit of Joseph P. D'Alessandro in Support of Motion to Transfer Venue Under 28 U.S.C. (zippo.com)