France Goes After Champagne Domain Names
June 12, 4 Comments - Author: Simon JohnsonThe Comite Interprofessional du Vin de Champagne (the semi-government authority of the Republic of France), is going after people who use champagne in their domain name.
A gift delivery business called “Champagne Messenger” has been forced to change their name after being pursued by our frog eating friends. The CIVC claims their intent is to protect the history and reputation of sparkling wines produced in the Champagne region of France.
After a seven day warning was issued to forfeit the name, or face federal court proceedings, the small business in the rural town of Coffs Harbor in Australia conceded.
Small business owners Stuart and Kyla Holley told the Coffs Coast Advocate:
“But we’re just a small business that is less than a year old, we can’t possibly afford to fight this in court… even though we feel we are being bullied.”
“It’s madness really. Will it get to the stage where you can’t buy champagne ham or enjoy a champagne breakfast any more, just because the French ‘own’ that word?”
Source: Coffs Coast Advocate
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Facebook comments:
I have no doubt these guys are playing hardball – Champagne.com actually points to Champagne.fr. However, champagne is also a generic term. Sooner or later these guys will bark up the wrong tree.
France Goes After Champagne Domain Names…
The Comite Interprofessional du Vin de Champagne (the semi-government authority of the Republic of France), is going after people who use champagne in their domain name….
[...] Read at HERE [...]
LOL…….the game is starting. People are getting serious and ridiculous about domains.
It’s going to be a roller coaster ride from here on out.