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Geneva - U.N. arbitrators today decided in favor of Microsoft in
a ruling against companies "cybersquatting" on .net domain
names. The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO)
ruling means that all internet addresses ending in .net will now
be transferred to Microsoft.
 Microsoft announced its .NET strategy
last month and says it "will provide easier, more personalized
and more productive Internet experiences by harnessing constellations
of smart devices and Web sites with advanced software through Internet
protocols and formats." As part of its .NET strategy Microsoft
also petitioned the WIPO for control of all .net domain names.
"It's a great victory for Microsoft," said CEO Steve Ballmer, "These
companies are trying to capitalize on the .net strategy that Microsoft
created. They are using our marketing dollars for their own
gain. This is America and that sort of thing isn't supposed
to happen. We commend WIPO on the decision they made and feel
that this is in the best interest of the consumer."
The ruling will take effect immediately. Microsoft has announced
that from now on all .net addresses will be redirected to microsoft.net. All
email addresses ending in .net will cease to exist, and Microsoft
is recommending those users use its Hotmail internet email service.
US arbitrator Simon West said, "While some of these companies
like AT&T have legitimate claims, they fail to realize that Microsoft's
.net strategy is bringing the next generation of windows services
to the internet."
In a separate ruling Microsoft was also given rights to bloatware.com,
vaporware.com and monopoly.com. In addition to the Microsoft
rulings, Rush Limbaugh was given control of bigfatidiot.com.
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