Westpac Says Domain Name Sale Attempt Copyright Infringement

Post by Sharat on March 12, 2010 · Under Business News, Company News, banking · Comment

An internet entrepreneur who purchased a domain containing Westpac in the URL has had his offer to sell the domain back to Westpac rejected by the lender.

Dominic Holland who also acquired a domain containing Qantas tried to sell the domains back to the two companies and has had both offers rejected.

“Westpac is not interested in engaging with Mr Holland, we believe his approach is opportunistic and unethical.” a Westpac spokeswoman said.

Mr. Holland, when contacted by The Australian bristled at the suggestion, and responded by saying Westpac’s claim that he is infringing on the lenders trademark has no basis in law.

“Westpac’s legal teams sent a bogus trademark claim to me which had no legal merit hence they could not lodge a formal complaint. Failing there, they chose to attack me on ethical grounds. If they wish to talk ethics then what about the billions in fees they raise in New Zealand and Australia alone which place them as a top 100 (global) company, when Australia and New Zealand’s population combined don’t rank top 10 globally.”

Mr. Holland says he acquired the domains for 40 Euros or $60, and that both domains had been available for sale for years.

“Not one person with the innovation or creativity at Westpac was there to register this domain.”

Mr. Holland added that big businesses which levy their customers with unfair fees should realise that their “monolithic approaches to business need a revamp to survive in this age. if not, they face situations like this”.

Mr. Holland claims that last week his domain Qant.as attracted a top bid of $1.3 million during a private auction.

Mr. Holland also owns the domain Westp.ac, and it appears that Mr. Holland’s strategy is one of stitching together brand names with separate country domains.

The .as suffix in Mr. Holland’s Qant.as domain comes from American Samoa, whilst the .as suffix in Mr. Holland’s Westp.ac domain comes from the Ascension Island.

Mr Holland remains resolute that Qantas and Westpac have no legal standing, despite both parties issuing letters alleging trademark infringement. “Qantas sent through a letter of demand for the domain (Qant.as) stating trademark infringement,” he said.

Compare Australian Debit Card Deals