Re: the cybersquatting bill (was: Don't Split the List etc.)

["Lizzie Borden" <lizbor@hotmail.com>]

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From: Chuck0 <chuck@tao.ca>
>
> I like the idea of creating critical sites like GWbush.com or
> Yesrudy.com. I think what the McLibel folks did with their site also
> ties into this thread. The ruling class really crapped in their pants
> about that website. I even found a book on web marketing aimed at
> business types that used the McLibel website as a case example of how
> lawyers can screw up a company's image.

This is why I thought the cybersquatting bill might be significant as a
target for hacktivists. The bill would give rights to entities such as
McDonalds and George Bush Jr. to claim relative parody domain names without
recompense to the originator. An example: George Bush Jr. could confiscate
the domain www.gwbush.com  simply because it is his name, and the parody is
about him, and the original domain owner couldn't do anything about it. In
effect, it undermines free speech and gives more power to those who have the
most money and corporate clout. It seems to me that this is something
hacktivists would be interested in subverting. However, I wouldn't know
exactly where or how to start such subversion, so I was hoping there was
something already in the works. If not, then perhaps someone can direct me
as to what sorts of hacktivist efforts could be accomplished to protest this
action - with that knowledge I might be willing to organize such an effort.

Liz


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