Supreme Court Passes On Falwell Web Fight Associated Press April 17, 2006 12:20 p.m.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB114528939969527638.html?mod=technology_main_whats_news WASHINGTON -- The Supreme Court declined to hear the appeal of evangelist Jerry Falwell on a case that sought to shut down a Web site with a similar name but opposite views on gays. Mr. Falwell claims that a gay New York City man improperly draws people to a site by using a common misspelling of the reverend's name as the site's domain name. A federal judge sided with Mr. Falwell, who runs Virginia-based Jerry Falwell ministries, on grounds that Christopher Lamparello's domain name was nearly identical to the trademark bearing Mr. Falwell's name and could confuse Web surfers. But last year, the fourth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals disagreed and said that Mr. Lamparello was free to operate his "gripe site" about Mr. Falwell's views on gays at www.fallwell.com. Mr. Lamparello "clearly created his Web site intending only to provide a forum to criticize ideas, not to steal customers," the court said. The Jerry Falwell Ministries site is: www.falwell.com. Mr. Falwell's Web site is more high-tech, with pictures of the minister, and sales material for books and videos. Mr. Lamparello's Web site is mainly in black and white, with no photographs or items for sale. He says that Mr. Falwell is wrong in preaching that gay people are sinners who can change. At the top of the site a disclaimer reads: "This Web site is NOT affiliated with Rev. Dr. Jerry Falwell or his ministry." Mr. Falwell's attorneys have fought over domain names in the past. Three years ago, an Illinois man surrendered the domain names jerryfalwell.com and jerryfallwell.com after Mr. Falwell threatened to sue for trademark infringement. ================================ George Antunes, Political Science Dept University of Houston; Houston, TX 77204 Voice: 713-743-3923 Fax: 713-743-3927 antunes at uh dot edu Reply with a "Thank you" if you liked this post. _____________________________ MEDIANEWS mailing list [email protected] To unsubscribe send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
