Internet Law Resource Center ISSN 2159-3051

Source: Internet Law Pleadings, otions ! "rie#s $ %&S& Court o# '((eals, Si)t* Circuit $ +au,-an Co& .& /e,#eats 0"rie# o# '-ici Curiae '-erican Ci.il Li,erties %nion, et al&1, 2002 ILRC 1222 03t* Cir& 20021

Taubman Co. v. Webfeats (Brief of Amici Curiae American Civil Liberties Union, et al.), 2002 ILRC !22 ("t# Cir. 2002)
+au,-an Co& .& /e,#eats 0"rie# o# '-ici Curiae '-erican Ci.il Li,erties %nion, et al&1 %nited States Court o# '((eals #or t*e Si)t* Circuit Nos& 01-2324, 01-2525 a6 3, 2002 2002 ILRC 1222

$%inion Te&t
'''''''''' Brief of Amici Curiae American Civil Liberties Union an( American Civil Liberties Union )un( of *ic#i+an in ,u%%ort of A%%ellants Ann Beeson, Kevin Bankston, '-erican Ci.il Li,erties %nion 7oundation, 125 "road Street, New 8or9, N8 10002, 02121 529-2500: Michael J. Steinberg, Kary L. Moss, '-erican Ci.il Li,erties %nion 7und o# ic*igan, 30 /& ;ancoc9, <etroit, I 24201, 03131 554-3412, Counsel for Amici Curiae TABL- $) C$.T-.T, III& +*is Case is Part o# a <istur,ing +rend in /*ic* Cor(orations %se +rade-ar9 Laws to Silence +*eir =nline Critics &&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&& 5 '& +*e %se o# +rade-ar9s in Internet <o-ain Na-es >&&>>>>>>>>&&&&&&&&& 5 "& +*e %se o# +rade-ar9 Re-edies 'gainst Parod6 and ?ri(e /e, Sites >&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&& 5 I@& is*9o##As BSuc9sC <o-ain Na-es and ?ri(e

Site <o Not In#ringe +au,-anAs +rade-ar9s or @iolate 'CP' >>&&>>>>>>>>&&&&&&& 13 '& is*9o##As %se o# +au,-anAs ar9s

Is Clearl6 Non-Co--ercial &&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&& 13 "& is*9o##As <o-ain Na-es and ?ri(e Site

Cannot "e Con#used wit* Sites S(onsored

Co(6rig*t 2013, +*e "ureau o# National '##airs, Inc& Re(roduction or redistri,ution, in w*ole or in (art, and in an6 #or-, wit*out e)(ress written (er-ission, is (ro*i,ited e)ce(t as (er-itted ,6 t*e "N' Co(6rig*t Polic6& *tt(:DDwww&,na&co-Dcor(Dinde)&*t-lE@ 1

Internet Law Resource Center ISSN 2159-3051

,6 +au,-an >>&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&& 15 C& is*9o##As %se o# +au,-anAs ar9s Is a

7air %se >>>>>>>>>>>>&&&&&&&& 22 <& 'CP' 'lso 7ails to Su((ort t*e InFunction 'gainst is*9o##As ?ri(e Site &&&& 23

<istrict Court Is an %nconstitutional Prior Restraint &&>&&&&>>>>&>>&&&&&&&&&&&>&&&>&> 25 Conclusion >&&>>&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&> 25 TABL- $) AUT/$RITI-, ...... I. Intro(uction an( ,tatement of )acts +*is case, and a growing nu-,er o# si-ilar cases across t*e countr6 and indeed around t*e world, in.ol.es a con#lict ,etween trade-ar9 laws and t*e #unda-ental 7irst '-end-ent rig*t to criticiGe co-(anies on t*e Internet& Ironicall6, t*e critic in t*is case ,egan as a co-(an6 #an& '((ellant-de#endant ;enr6 is*9o## 0*ereina#ter B is*9o##H1 created a B#anH we, site to su((ort a new -all, B+*e S*o(s at /illow "end,H o(ening in Plano, +e)as near *is *o-e& '((ellee-(lainti## +*e +au,-an Co-(an6 LP 0*ereina#ter B+au,-anH1 is t*e owner and de.elo(er o# t*e -all& 0R& 20 e-orandu- o(inion ! order, (g& 21 +au,-an did not a((reciate is*9o##As #an we, site, at www&s*o(satwillow,end&co-, and sued *i- in t*e Iastern <istrict o# ic*igan #or trade-ar9 in#ringe-ent, un#air co-(etition, and .iolation o# t*e 'nti-C6,ersJuatting Protection 'ct 0or B'CP'H1& 0R& 1 Co-(laint, ((& 3-21 Predicta,l6, t*e lawsuit c*anged is*9o##As o(inion o# t*e -all owner, so *e esta,lis*ed #i.e additional /e, addresses 0or do-ain na-es1 w*ere *e could criticiGe +au,-anAs a,usi.e litigation, at www&tau,-ansuc9s&co-, www&willow,endsuc9s&co-, www&willow,end-allsuc9s&co-, www&s*o(satwill,endsuc9s&co-, and www&t*es*o(satwillow,endsuc9s&co- 0*ereina#ter Bt*e Ksuc9sL do-ain na-esH or Bt*e gri(e siteH1& 0R& 20 e-orandu- o(inion ! order, (g& 31 +*e district court granted +au,-anAs reJuest #or a (reli-inar6 inFunction against is*9o##As continued (u,lication o# t*e #an we, site and use o# t*e we, address at www&s*o(satwillow,end&co-& 0R& 5 =rder granting Preli-inar6 InFunction1 "e#ore is*9o## learned o# t*is inFunction, *e used *is Bsuc9sH do-ain na-es to (u,lis* a (ersonal, c*ronological account o# t*e litigation, w*ic* *e was de#ending (ro se& 1 +*is gri(e site included rele.ant corres(ondence and court docu-ents, and uneJui.ocall6 e)(ressed is*9o##As critical .iews o# +au,-an and its litigation tactics& No (ros(ecti.e -all custo-er could con#use is*9o##As gri(e site wit* t*e -allAs o##icial *o-e (age& +*e site was co-(letel6 non-co--ercial, and contained no ad.ertise-ents, solicitations, or lin9s to co--ercial we, sites& 0R& 53 C<s attac*ed to -otion to su((le-ent t*e record1 8et w*en +au,-an learned o# is*9o##As gri(e site, it (ro-(tl6 -o.ed to e)(and t*e initial (reli-inar6 inFunction to ,an it as well& MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM
1

is*9o## (u,lis*ed t*e sa-e we, content at eac* o# *is Bsuc9sH do-ain na-es&

MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM

Co(6rig*t 2013, +*e "ureau o# National '##airs, Inc& Re(roduction or redistri,ution, in w*ole or in (art, and in an6 #or-, wit*out e)(ress written (er-ission, is (ro*i,ited e)ce(t as (er-itted ,6 t*e "N' Co(6rig*t Polic6& *tt(:DDwww&,na&co-Dcor(Dinde)&*t-lE@ 2

Internet Law Resource Center ISSN 2159-3051

Ignoring t*e 7irst '-end-ent (rotection o# criticis-, and t*e non-co--ercial and uncon#using nature o# is*9o##As gri(e site, t*e district court granted +au,-anAs -otion& Co--itting clear error, t*e district court enFoined is*9o##As use o# t*e Bsuc9sH do-ain na-es and ordered *i- to re-o.e *is gri(e site& 0R& 20 e-orandu- o(inion ! order1 B%sing we,sites t*at incor(orate Plainti##As -ar9 to dis(arage Plainti## would li9el6 ,e an un#air co--ercial use wit*in t*e sco(e o# t*e Lan*a- 'ctAs (rotections,H e)(lained t*e court& 0R& 20 e-orandu- o(inion ! order, (g& 121 %nder t*at swee(ing rational, any online criticis- o# a trade-ar9 *older could ,e enFoined as trade-ar9 in#ringe-ent si-(l6 ,ecause it uses a trade-ar9 to na-e t*e target o# criticis-& 2 +*e (reli-inar6 inFunction is an unconstitutional (rior restraint o# s(eec* at t*e core o# w*at t*e 7irst '-end-ent (rotects - non-co--ercial critical co--entar6 a,out a co-(an6 and t*e legal (rocess& It is (articularl6 trou,ling t*at t*e district court inFunction silenced criticis- not onl6 o# +au,-an, ,ut o# t*e courtAs own rulings& In #act, in e)tending its original inFunction, t*e district court a,surdl6 reJuired is*9o## to re#rain #ro- (u,lis*ing on t*e Internet any o# t*e content *osted at t*e Bsuc9sH do-ain na-es - w*ic* includes t*e courtAs own earlier inFunction, along wit* ot*er docu-ents o# (u,lic record& +rade-ar9 laws do not su((ort suc* a result, and t*e 7irst '-end-ent cannot allow it& Amici write to urge t*is Court to .acate t*e (reli-inar6 inFunction, and to in#or- t*e Court o# t*e ,roader signi#icance o# t*is case as (art o# a dangerous trend to use trade-ar9 laws to su((ress (rotected criticis- on t*e Internet& MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM
2

Rat*er t*an a((l6ing t*e rele.ant #actors to deter-ine w*et*er is*9o##As gri(e site -ig*t in#ringe +au,-anAs trade-ar9s, discussed in#ra at Section I@, t*e district court instead relied solel6 on t*e Bsa#e distanceH doctrine to su((ort its inFunction& '-ici concur wit* '((ellantAs argu-ent regarding t*e -isa((lication o# t*at doctrine to t*is case& See "rie# o# <e#endants-'((ellants, ((& 52-55&

MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM II. T#e 0emocrati1in+ )eatures of t#e Internet 2resent Uni3ue $%%ortunities for Consumers to 4oice T#eir Com%laints About Com%anies +*e Internet *as ,een descri,ed as a B.ast de-ocratic #orNu-O,H Reno v. ACL , 521 %S 422, 434 019951, w*ic* gi.es a.erage users an un(recedented a,ilit6 to Foin a worldwide discussion and de,ate on a range o# su,Fects Bas di.erse as *u-an t*oug*t&H !"& at 452& +*e Internet is a relati.el6 new and (ower#ul -ediu- in w*ic* an6one Bcan ,eco-e a town crier wit* a .oice t*at resonates #art*er t*an it could #roan6 soa(,o)&H !". at 450& It s*ould co-e as no sur(rise t*at disgruntled consu-ers, w*o (re.iousl6 *ad li-ited a.enues #or co--unicating wit* ot*er consu-ers, *a.e used t*is worldwide (lat#or- to .oice t*eir co-(laints a,out co-(anies, (roducts, and ser.ices to a -uc* larger audience& +*e resulting Bc6,er-gri(eH we, sites are one o# t*e -an6 (ositi.e e)a-(les o# t*e eJualiGing and e-(owering nature o# t*e Internet& See generally, Note, =scar S& Cisneros, Bally #otal $itness %ol"ing Cor&. v. $aber, 15 "er9ele6 +ec* L P 229 020001: Note, Re,ecca S& Sorgen, #ra"emark Confronts $ree S&eech on the !nformation Su&erhigh'ay( )Cyber*ri&ers+ $ace a Constitutional Collision , 22 Lo6 L' Int L Re. 115 020011& Li9e ot*er inno.ati.e #or-s o# s(eec* on t*e Internet, c6,er-gri(e sites *a.e raised Bno.el and co-(le) legal issues and *aN.eO c*allenged e)isting legal doctrine&H ,oe v. -#heMart.Com, !nc., 120 7 Su(( 2d 1044, 1091 ./ !LR 0123 0/< /as* 20011& +*oug* t*e Internet s*ould not ,e i--une to trade-ar9 laws, suc* laws s*ould not ,e used to silence t*is new #or- o# criticis- and ot*er (rotected online s(eec*& See generally, Sorgen, 22 Lo6 L' Int L Re. 115: Note, Qeit* "lac9-an, #he niform ,omain 4ame ,is&ute Resolution 5olicy( A Chea&er 6ay to %i7ack ,omain 4ames an" Su&&ress Critics, 15 ;ar. PL ! +ec* 211, 223-55 07all 20011: arcelo ;al(ern ! 'Fa6 Q& e*rotra, $rom !nternational #reaties to !nternet 4orms( #he 8volution of !nternational #ra"emark ,is&utes in the !nternet Age, 21 % Pa P IntAl Icon L 523, 554-59 020001& III. T#is Case is 2art of a 0isturbin+ Tren( in W#ic# Cor%orations Use Tra(emar5 La6s to ,ilence T#eir $nline Critics A. T#e Use of Tra(emar5s in Internet
Co(6rig*t 2013, +*e "ureau o# National '##airs, Inc& Re(roduction or redistri,ution, in w*ole or in (art, and in an6 #or-, wit*out e)(ress written (er-ission, is (ro*i,ited e)ce(t as (er-itted ,6 t*e "N' Co(6rig*t Polic6& *tt(:DDwww&,na&co-Dcor(Dinde)&*t-lE@ 3

Internet Law Resource Center ISSN 2159-3051

0omain .ames +*e (otential #or con#lict ,etween trade-ar9 laws and Internet s(eec* is rooted in t*e InternetAs glo,al, centraliGed na-ing and addressing s6ste- #or indi.idual we, sites around t*e world& I.er6 we, site on t*e Internet *as a .irtual address w*ic* consists o# a uniJue Internet Protocol 0IP1 nu-,er& "ecause IP nu-,ers are B*ard to re-e-,er and *ard to t6(e,H t*e Internet also relies on user-#riendl6 Bdo-ain na-es,H w*ic* consist o# te)tual strings& '& ic*ael 7roo-9in, !CA449s niform ,is&ute Resolution 5olicy : Cause an" ;5artial< Cures, '''.la'.miami.e"u=>/8froomkin=articles=u"r&.&"f at 5& /*ene.er a we, user accesses a we, site ,6 its (o(ular do-ain na-e address 0e&g&, *tt(:DDwww&aclu&org1, an ela,orate <o-ain Na-e S6ste- resol.es t*e do-ain na-e to t*e (ro(er IP address 0e&g&, *tt(:DD205&144&212&1501& +*e Internet Cor(oration #or 'ssigned Na-es and Nu-,ers 0IC'NN1 is res(onsi,le #or assigning do-ain na-es on a #irst-co-e, #irst-ser.ed ,asis to an6one w*o (a6s t*e necessar6 #ee& !". 's co--entators *a.e noted, Bt*ere is a glo,al clas* ,etween geogra(*icall6 ,ounded trade-ar9s and t*e li-itless reac* o# t*e Internet&H ;al(ern ! e*rotra, 21 % Pa P IntAl Icon L at 523& +raditional trade-ar9 law allows #or -ulti(le, concurrent uses o# t*e sa-e na-e ,6 di##erent (eo(le in t*e sa-e ,usiness in di##erent (laces, or ,6 di##erent ,usinesses in t*e sa-e (lace& 7roo-9in at 3& "ut Btrade-ar9 law assu-(tions a,out t*e local and sectoral use o# trade-ar9s wor9 ,adl6 on t*e Internet generall6 ,ecause content in one location can ,e .isi,le an6w*ere&C !". at 5& /*ile trade-ar9 law can tolerate -ulti(le users o# t*e sa-e -ar9, t*e InternetAs do-ain na-e s6ste- Ben#orces a greater degree o# uniJueness&H !". at 3-5& +*us, as t*e we, grew in t*e 1990s, co-(anies ,egan to .iew do-ain na-es as i-(ortant identi#iers& BNIOt was onl6 a s-all lea( to t*e conclusion t*at trade-ar9s -ig*t or s*ould i-(l6 rig*ts to corres(onding do-ain na-es&H !". at 11& +*e trade-ar9 lo,,6 t*us ,egan a race to control and e)(and t*e rules #or (rotecting t*e use o# t*eir trade-ar9s in ,ot* do-ain na-es and in we, (age content on t*e Internet& B. T#e Use of Tra(emar5 Reme(ies A+ainst 2aro(7 an( 8ri%e ,ites Cor(orations now *a.e an e)(anded, #or-ida,le arsenal wit* w*ic* to (rotect t*eir trade-ar9s on t*e Internet: traditional trade-ar9 in#ringe-ent re-edies under t*e Lan*a- 'ct, t*e 7ederal +rade-ar9 <ilution 'ct 07+<'1 0(assed in 19951, t*e 'ntic6,ersJuatting Consu-er Protection 'ct 0'CP'1 0(assed in 19991, and IC'NNAs %ni#or- <o-ain Na-e <is(ute Resolution Polic6& See 15 %SC R R 1112, 11250a1, 0c1, 0d1: IC'NN, %ni#or- <o-ain Na-e <is(ute Resolution Polic6 0a((ro.ed =ct& 22, 19991 0*ereina#ter B%ni#or- Polic6H1, at htt&(=='''.icann.org="n"r=u"r&=&olicy.htm& In (rinci(le, w*ere t*e -ar9 used is not identical to (lainti##As trade-ar9, trade-ar9 *olders see9ing to reco.er under an6 re-ed6 ot*er t*an dilution -ust (ro.e t*at de#endantAs use o# t*e -ar9 is eit*er Bli9el6 to con#useH consu-ers or is Bcon#usingl6 si-ilar&C See 15 %SC R R 11120110a1: 11250a10110'1: 11250d10110'10ii1: %ni#or- Polic6& In addition, (lainti##s -a6 not reco.er w*ere de#endant is engaged in good #ait* nonco--ercial or #air use o# t*e -ar9& 8et des(ite t*e li-itations wit*in t*e re-edies t*e-sel.es, t*ere are a growing nu-,er o# cases in w*ic* trade-ar9 owners *a.e tried to use t*ese re-edies to sti#le legiti-ate criticis- and s(eec* (rotected ,6 t*e 7irst '-end-ent& See generally, "lac9-an, 15 ;ar. PL ! +ec* at 223-55: Sorgen, 22 Lo6 LS Int L Re. 115: ;al(ern ! e*rotra, 21 % Pa P IntAl Icon L 523& +*oug* t*is case in.ol.es onl6 so-e o# t*ese re-edies, an o.er.iew o# recent decisions will *el( to conte)tualiGe t*e #unda-ental s(eec* issues (resented in t*e current case& In 58#A v. ,oughney, 233 73d at 333 .1 !LR ?-@3 02t* Cir 20011, t*e Peo(le #or t*e It*ical +reat-ent o# 'ni-als success#ull6 sued a we, site at htt&(=='''.&eta.org t*at clai-ed it was #or BPeo(le Iating +ast6 'ni-als&H +*e content o# t*e site was a (arod6 o# t*e PI+' organiGation& Considering onl6 t*e %RL and not t*e content on t*e site, t*e 7ourt* Circuit *eld de#endants lia,le #or in#ringe-ent and dilution ,ecause t*e %RL -ig*t cause con#usion ,6 we, users e)(ecting to #ind t*e actual PI+' organiGationAs we, site at t*at address& +*e courtAs #lawed reasoning wrongl6 assu-es t*at Internet users could ,e con#used ,6 a %RL alone& In #act t*e user would ne.er ,e con#used once t*e content on t*e site is actuall6 accessed, w*ic* *a((ens nearl6 si-ultaneousl6 wit* t*e entr6 o# t*e %RL into a ,rowser& Cases -ore consistent wit* traditional trade-ar9 t*eories *a.e i-(osed lia,ilit6 onl6 w*ere ,ot* t*e %RL and t*e content on t*e
Co(6rig*t 2013, +*e "ureau o# National '##airs, Inc& Re(roduction or redistri,ution, in w*ole or in (art, and in an6 #or-, wit*out e)(ress written (er-ission, is (ro*i,ited e)ce(t as (er-itted ,6 t*e "N' Co(6rig*t Polic6& *tt(:DDwww&,na&co-Dcor(Dinde)&*t-lE@ 2

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site is con#using& See, e.g&, 5lanne" 5arenthoo" $e"eration of America, !nc. v. Bucci , 1995 /L 133313 .- !LR A-A3 0S< N81, aff9" mem., 152 73d 920 02d Cir 19941: Je's for Jesus v. Bro"sky, 993 7 Su(( 242 .A !LR -0@3 0< NP1, aff9" mem., 159 73d 1351 03d Cir 19941: BB% v. S&otlight MagaCine, 43 7 Su(( 2d 153 .? !LR DDE3 0/< N8 20001& +*oug* so-e trade-ar9 *olders *a.e sued using in#ringe-ent and dilution t*eories w*ere neit*er t*e %RL nor t*e content is con#using, courts *a.e correctl6 ruled #or de#endants in t*ese cases& See, e.g&, Bally #otal $itness v. $aber, 29 7 Su(( 2d 1131, 1132, 1135 n& 3 .A !LR 1-?3 0C< Cal 19941 0ruling #or de#endants ,ecause use o# t*e ter-s B"all6 Suc9sH on a we, site was unli9el6 to cause con#usion1: $or" v. -2@@, 155 7 Su(( 2d 331 .E !LR 2@E3 0I< ic* 20011 0ruling #or de#endant ,ecause Bwww&#uc9general-otors&co-H unli9el6 to -eet t*e standards #or in#ringe-ent or dilution1& In addition to direct in#ringe-ent and dilution re-edies, trade-ar9 owners -a6 now sue under t*e 'ntic6,ersJuatting Consu-er Protection 'ct 0'CP'1& 'CP' i-(oses lia,ilit6 w*ere (lainti## can (ro.e a ,ad #ait* intent to (ro#it #ro- t*e registration, tra##ic, or use o# a do-ain na-e t*at is identical or con#usingl6 si-ilar to a distincti.e trade-ar9, or is identical, con#usingl6 si-ilar to, or diluti.e o# a #a-ous -ar9& See 15 %SC R 11250d1& 'CP' was (assed to sto( (ersons w*o register well-9nown trade-ar9s s(eci#icall6 #or t*e (ur(ose o# selling t*ese do-ain na-es #or a (ro#it& In t*e .ast -aForit6 o# t*ese cases, c6,er-sJuatters (lace no content on t*e we, sites w*ose do-ain na-es t*e6 register& 'CP' was intended to (ro.ide courts Bwit* a (re#era,le alternati.e to stretc*ing #ederal dilution law w*en dealing wit* c6,ersJuatting cases&H S&orty9s $arm v. S&ortsman9s Market, 202 73d 249, 295 .? !LR ?A03 02d Cir 20001& 8et trade-ar9 *olders *a.e also used t*is re-ed6 to atte-(t to su((ress (arod6 and criticis-& See Lucent #echnologies v. Lucentsucks.com, 95 7 Su(( 2d 524, 535 .D !LR ?-D3 0I< @a 20001 0dis-issing suit ,ecause o# (lainti##sA #ailure to co-(l6 wit* due diligence reJuire-ent o# 'CP', ,ut noting t*at we, site is (ro,a,l6 a (rotected (arod61: see also Lucent #echnologies v. Johnson, 2000 /L 1302055, 3-2 .2 !LR 2?03 0C< Cal 20001 0court denied -otion to dis-iss ,ased on #air use w*en sa-e (lainti##s sued again in anot*er district1& +rade-ar9 *olders *a.e 6et anot*er re-ed6 a.aila,le to (re.ent t*e use o# a trade-ar9 in do-ain na-es: t*e %ni#or- <o-ain Na-e <is(ute Resolution Polic6 i-(le-ented ,6 IC'NN& +*e %ni#orPolic6 is incor(orated into all registration agree-ents wit* a((ro.ed do-ain na-e registrants& +*e Polic6 Bsets #ort* t*e ter-s and conditions in connection wit* a dis(ute ,etween Nt*e registrantO and an6 (art6 ot*er t*an Nt*e registrarO o.er t*e registration and use o# an Internet na-e registered ,6 Nt*e registrantO&H %ni#or- Polic6 at htt&(=='''.icann.org="n"r=u"r&=&olicy.htm& +*e Polic6 reJuires all do-ain na-e registrants to su,-it to a -andator6 ad-inistrati.e (roceeding u(on a co-(laint ,6 a trade-ar9 owner& I# t*e trade-ar9 owner (re.ails in t*e (roceeding, IC'NN trans#ers t*e dis(uted do-ain na-e to t*e trade-ar9 owner& See generally, <ale & Cendali, BLegal <e.elo(-ents in +rade-ar9 Law and t*e Internet,H in $ifth Annual !nternet La' !nstitute, @ol& 1 020001 0citing ilton ueller, Rough Justice( An Analysis of !CA449s niform ,is&ute Resolution 5olicy, No.& 9, 2000 at *tt(:DDdcc&s6r&eduDroug*Fustice&*t-1& +*e %ni#or- Polic6 is now argua,l6 t*e -ost o#t-used re-ed6 regarding use o# trade-ar9s in do-ain na-es& +*e constitutional (ro,le-s in*erent in t*e %ni#or- Polic6 itsel#, and in its a((lication ,6 ar,itration (anels, are alread6 well-docu-ented& 3 "ecause t*e trial courtAs #lawed reasoning in t*is case -irrors t*e #lawed reasoning o# -an6 %ni#or- Polic6 decisions regarding c6,er-gri(e sites, amici su--ariGes so-e o# t*ose decisions *ere& In A,# Services A* v. A,# Sucks.com, /IP= Case No& <2001-0213 02D23D011, t*e (anel ruled #or t*e co-(lainant, reasoning t*at Bt*e addition o# t*e suc9s Nto t*e do-ain na-eO does not*ing to de#lect t*e i-(act o# t*e -ar9 on t*e Internet user&C !". It #urt*er #ound t*at BNtO*e addition o# t*e su##i) Ksuc9sL is a crude atte-(t to tarnis* t*e -ar9,H and assu-ed t*at non-Inglis* s(ea9ers in (articular -ig*t ,e con#used into ,elie.ing t*at t*e %RL is s(onsored ,6 t*e trade-ar9 *older& !". Ignoring t*e 7irst '-end-entAs (rotection #or criticis- entirel6, t*e (anel t*en #ound ,ad #ait* ,6 noting t*e res(ondentAs registration o# ot*er Bsuc9sC sites, and ,6 *is Batte-(t to e-,arrass t*e owners o# internationall6 9nown -ar9s&H !". In Fiven"i niversal v. Mr. Jay ,avis Sallen, /IP= Case No& <2001-1121 .AA !LR ?1D3 011D5D011, t*e res(ondent *ad registered .i.endiuni.ersalsuc9s&co-& 'lt*oug* t*e (ur(ose o# t*e site was Bt*e #ree e)(ression criticis- o# Co-(lainantAs ,usiness (ractices,H i"., t*e (anel #ollowed t*e '<+ (anelAs reasoning on t*e con#usion issue, and #ound ,ad #ait* #ro- t*e
Co(6rig*t 2013, +*e "ureau o# National '##airs, Inc& Re(roduction or redistri,ution, in w*ole or in (art, and in an6 #or-, wit*out e)(ress written (er-ission, is (ro*i,ited e)ce(t as (er-itted ,6 t*e "N' Co(6rig*t Polic6& *tt(:DDwww&,na&co-Dcor(Dinde)&*t-lE@ 5

Internet Law Resource Center ISSN 2159-3051

si-(le #act t*at t*e res(ondent *ad Bdeli,eratel6 c*oseNnO to register a do-ain na-e w*ic* incor(oratedH t*e co-(lainantAs -ar9& !". Neit*er co-(lainant *ad (ro.ided an6 e.idence t*at consu-ers were actuall6 con#used& 2 +*ese and ot*er %ni#or- Polic6 rulings re(resent a dangerous trend ,ot* ,ecause t*e outco-es are inconsistent and ar,itrar6, and ,ecause -an6 o# t*e ar,itration (anels *a.e issued rulings directl6 contrar6 to 7irst '-end-ent rig*ts& +*oug* t*ese decisions s*ould not ,ind #ederal courts, a reFection o# t*eir reasoning ,6 t*is Court -a6 *el( to cur, #uture a,uses& 5 MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM
3

See, e&g&, Cendali: <a.id I& Sor9in, Pudicial Re.iew o# IC'NN <o-ain Na-e <is(ute <ecisions, 14 Santa Clara Co-(uter ! ;ig* +ec*& LP 35 0<ec& 20011: ;al(ern and e*rotra, 21 % Pa P IntAl Icon L at 554-59: '& ic*ael 7roo-9in, /rong +urn In C6,ers(ace: %sing IC'NN to Route 'round t*e 'P' and t*e Constitution, 50 <u9e LP 15 020001: 7roo-9in, at *tt(:DDwww&law&-ia-i&eduD S5I#roo-9inDarticlesDudr(&(d#: "lac9-an, 15 ;ar. PL ! +ec* 211&
2

See also /al- art Stores, Inc& .& /alsuc9s and /al-ar9et Puerto Rico, /IP= Case No& <2000-0255 05D20D20001 0ruling #or co-(lainant and #inding con#usion des(ite use o# Bsuc9sH in %RL and des(ite content -erel6 critical o# /al- artAs litigation1: /al- art Stores .& Ric* acLeod dD,Da 7or Sale, /IP= Case No& <2000-0332 09D19D20001 0ruling #or co-(lainant against wal--artsuc9s&co- and *olding t*at a do-ain na-e is Bidentical or con#usingl6 si-ilarH to a trade-ar9 Bw*en t*e do-ain na-e includes t*e trade-ar9 & & & regardless o# t*e ot*er ter-s in t*e do-ain na-e&H1: ,ut see /al- art Stores .& wall-artcanadasuc9s&co-, /IP= No& <2000-1102 N3 ILR 339O 011D23D20001 0ruling t*at BI do not see *ow a do-ain na-e including Ksuc9sL e.er can ,e con#usingl6 si-ilar to a trade-ar9 to w*ic* Ksuc9sL is a((endedH1: Co-(usa anage-ent Co-(an6 .& Custo-iGed Co-(uter +raining, NatAl 'r,itration 7oruCase No& 7'0003000095042 04D15D20001 0ruling #or res(ondent ,ecause BNnOo one could con#use KCo-(usaH wit* BSto(Co-(usaH and B"anCo-(usaH1: cLane Co-(an6 .& 7red Craig, /IP= Case No& <2000-1255 01D11D20011 0ruling #or res(ondent ,ecause con#usion o.er B-clanenort*eastsuc9s&co-H is unli9el6 and user would ne.er ,e con#used once content o# site is .iewed1: Loc9*eed artin Cor(& .& <an Parisi, /IP= Case No& <2001-1015 N4 ILR 122O 0ruling #or res(ondent ,ecause Bloo9*eedsuc9s&co-H cannot ,e con#using1&
5

See generall6, Sor9in, 14 Santa Clara Co-(uter ! ;ig* +ec* LP 35 020011&

MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM +*oug* t*ere *a.e ,een a nu-,er o# #ederal district court and %ni#or- Polic6 rulings regarding (arod6 and gri(e we, sites, no #ederal a((ellate court *as 6et re.iewed a case in.ol.ing registration o# a do-ain na-e t*at incor(orates a dis(araging ter- suc* as Bsuc9sH along wit* a trade-ar9& 7or t*e reasons discussed ,elow, amici urge t*e court to re.erse t*e district court inFunction against is*9o##As gri(e site and to (rotect t*e 7irst '-end-ent rig*t to criticiGe co-(anies on t*e Internet& I4. *is#5off9s :,uc5s; 0omain .ames an( 8ri%e ,ite 0o .ot Infrin+e Taubman9s Tra(emar5s or 4iolate AC2A A. *is#5off9s Use of Taubman9s *ar5s is Clearl7 .on<Commercial. +*e district court i-(ro(erl6 enFoined is*9o## #or trade-ar9 in#ringe-ent wit* no (roo# t*at *e *ad used +au,-anAs -ar9s Bin co--erce, & & & in connection wit* t*e sale, o##ering #or sale, distri,ution or ad.ertising o# an6 goods or ser.ices&H 15 %SC R 11120110a1& 3 is*9o##As gri(e site is w*oll6 nonco--ercial& Not*ing is sold or o##ered #or sale, t*e site contains no ad.ertising, and readers are not solicited #or #unds& 5 is*9o## *as ne.er (ro#ited #ro- t*e site in an6 wa6, and a((ears to -aintain it at *is own (ersonal e)(ense& 0R& 53 C<s attac*ed to -otion to su((le-ent t*e record1 Not sur(risingl6, t*en, +au,-an itsel# ne.er e.en alleged #acts to su((ort a #inding t*at is*9o## *ad used its -ar9s on *is gri(e site #or co--ercial (ur(oses& Clearl6, is*9o## is not a co--ercial co-(etitor o# +au,-anAs, ,ut a critic using t*e -ost con.enient and (ower#ul -ediu- a.aila,le to *i-& +*e onl6 content on *is site is criticis- o# +au,-an, and legal docu-ents a,out t*e current dis(ute& is*9o## *as -erel6 used
Co(6rig*t 2013, +*e "ureau o# National '##airs, Inc& Re(roduction or redistri,ution, in w*ole or in (art, and in an6 #or-, wit*out e)(ress written (er-ission, is (ro*i,ited e)ce(t as (er-itted ,6 t*e "N' Co(6rig*t Polic6& *tt(:DDwww&,na&co-Dcor(Dinde)&*t-lE@ 3

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+au,-anAs -ar9s to identi#6 t*e target o# *is criticis- and to accuratel6 descri,e t*e contents o# *is we, site& MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM
3

' clai- o# un#air co-(etition reJuires t*e Bessentiall6 identical s*owingH o# use o# t*e -ar9s Bin co--erce,H Bin connection wit* an6 goods or ser.ices&H 7ord, 155 7 Su(( 2d at 335: 15 %SC R 11250a1&
5

<uring t*e s(ring o# 2001, is*9o##As #an we, site contained an ad.ertise-ent #or *is girl#riendAs +-s*irt ,usiness, w*ic* *e (osted as a (ersonal #a.or& /*en +au,-an o,Fected to t*is ad.ertise-ent, in 'ugust 2001, is*9o## (ro-(tl6 re-o.ed it& No ad.ertise-ent *as e.er ,een (u,lis*ed on is*9o##As gri(e site& 0R& 53 C<s attac*ed to -otion to su((le-ent t*e record1

MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM %na,le to identi#6 an6 traditional co--ercial use, t*e district court instead reasoned t*at t*e #an site and t*e gri(e site Bas a w*oleH esta,lis*ed t*at is*9o## B may ,e tr6ing to in#lict so-e t6(e o# econo-ic *ar- unto (lainti##&H 0R& 20 e-orandu- order ! o(inion, (g& 13: e-(*asis added1 +*e district courtAs *olding was ,ased solel6 Bon t*e assum&tion t*at <e#endants are tr6ing to in#lict econo-ic *ar- on t*e Plainti##H ,6 Bdis(aragingC its trade-ar9s& 0R& 20 e-orandu- order ! o(inion, ((& 12-15: e-(*asis added1 "ut consu-er co--entar6 does not ,eco-e Bco--ercial,H and t*us lia,le as in#ringe-ent, solel6 ,ecause it -a6 con.ince ot*er consu-ers not to (atroniGe t*e co-(an6& +*e district court -ista9enl6 relies u(on 5lanne" 5arenthoo" $e"eration of America v. Bucci to su((ort its assertion t*at BNuOsing we,sites t*at incor(orate Plainti##As -ar9 to dis(arage Plainti## would li9el6 ,e an un#air co--ercial use wit*in t*e sco(e o# t*e Lan*a- 'ctAs (rotection&H 0R& 20 e-orandu- order ! o(inion, (g& 121 Planned Parent*ood, a #a-il6 (lanning organiGation o##ering in#or-ation on a,ortion, soug*t to (reli-inaril6 enFoin de#endantAs use o# t*e do-ain na-e Bwww&PlannedParent*ood&co-&C +*e de#endant *ad used t*e we, site to ad.ertise t*e sale o# an anti-a,ortion ,oo9, (ro-ote s(ea9ing engage-ents ,6 t*e ,oo9As aut*or, and solicit #unds to su((ort a,ortion (rotest acti.ities& +*e de#endantAs we, (age was (re#aced wit* t*e (ro-inent greeting B/elco-e to t*e PL'NNI< P'RIN+;==< ;= I P'?ITH, and *e ad-itted using t*e Planned Parent*ood -ar9 to reac* Internet users w*o t*oug*t t*e6 would ,e getting in#or-ation #ro- t*e (lainti##& See 5lanne" 5arenthoo", 1995 /L 133313 at 1-2& "ased on t*ese #acts, t*e court *eld t*at de#endantAs use o# t*e Planned Parent*ood trade-ar9 was a co-(eting, co--ercial use& See i". at 2& +*e #acts are easil6 distinguis*a,le #rois*9o##As use o# +au,-anAs -ar9s& is*9o##As (ersonal, non-co--ercial gri(e site does not co-(ete in an6 wa6 wit* +au,-anAs -all, and is*9o## *as no intent to con#use readers into ,elie.ing t*at *is site is s(onsored ,6 +au,-an& Instead, is*9o##As do-ain na-es and t*e contents o# *is site -a9e it clear to an6 reasona,le we, user t*at *e ,elie.es t*at +au,-an Bsuc9s&H In addition, is*9o##As gri(e site is not trans#or-ed into a co--ercial site si-(l6 ,ecause so-e we, users -a6 #ind it w*en searc*ing #or in#or-ation a,out +au,-anAs -all, e.en i# is*9o##As site slows or dissuades users #ro- accessing we, sites *osted ,6 +au,-an& 's one court (ut it, Bw*ere, as *ere, t*e unaut*oriGed use in no wa6 co-(etes wit* t*e -ar9 ownerAs o##ering o# goods or ser.ices, t*e Kin connection wit* goods or ser.icesL reJuire-ent is not satis#ied si-(l6 ,ecause a (ros(ecti.e user o# t*e Internet -a6 #ace so-e di##icult6 in #inding t*e *o-e (age *e is see9ing&H $or", 155 7 Su(( 2d at 335 0distinguis*ing 5lanne" 5arenthoo" and #inding t*at de#endantAs use o# t*e do-ain na-e B7uc9general-otors&co-H, w*ic* (ro.ided no content ot*er t*an a *6(erlin9 to t*e B#ord&co-H we, site, did not dilute or in#ringe u(on 7ordAs trade-ar9s1& In #act, t*ere are -an6 good reasons w*6 we, users s*ould ,e a,le to #ind is*9o##As gri(e site w*en searc*ing #or in#or-ation a,out +au,-anAs -all& B+*e a.erage Internet user -a6 want to recei.e all t*e in#or-ation a.aila,leH on a co-(an6, and Bwill ,e una,le to locate sites containing outside co--entar6 unless t*ose sites include Nt*e (lainti##AsO -ar9s&C Bally, 29 7 Su(( 2d& at 1135 0#inding t*at de#endantAs we, site B"all6 suc9sH did not in#ringe or dilute "all6As -ar9 ,6 *osting critical consu-er co--entar61&
Co(6rig*t 2013, +*e "ureau o# National '##airs, Inc& Re(roduction or redistri,ution, in w*ole or in (art, and in an6 #or-, wit*out e)(ress written (er-ission, is (ro*i,ited e)ce(t as (er-itted ,6 t*e "N' Co(6rig*t Polic6& *tt(:DDwww&,na&co-Dcor(Dinde)&*t-lE@ 5

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In su-, t*e (reli-inar6 inFunction is in.alid ,ecause is*9o## was engaged in (urel6 non-co--ercial criticis- o# +au,-an& I# t*e negati.e i-(act o# t*at criticis- were to trans#or- it into a co--ercial use under t*e Lan*a- 'ct, t*en all co-(anies would ,e i--une to an6 consu-er co-(laints& B. *is#5off9s 0omain .ames an( 8ri%e ,ite Cannot Be Confuse( 6it# ,ites ,%onsore( b7 Taubman +*e district court also #ailed to #ind t*at is*9o##As use o# +au,-anAs -ar9s was li9el6 to con#use or decei.e t*e ,u6ing (u,lic& 15 %SC R 1112& BLi9eli*ood o# con#usion is s6non6-ous wit* a (ro,a,ilit6 o# con#usion, w*ic* is -ore t*an a (ossi,ilit6 o# con#usion&H 4orthlan" !ns. Co. v. Blaylock, 115 7 Su(( 2d 1104, 1122 ./ !LR 0--3 0< inn 20001 0citing 5ebble Beach Co. v. #our A1 ! Lt"., 155 73d 523, 523 05t* Cir 199411& +*e Si)t* Circuit considers eig*t #actors in deter-ining w*et*er suc* a li9eli*ood e)ists: 11 t*e strengt* o# t*e (lainti##As -ar9: 21 t*e relatedness o# t*e goods in Juestion: 31 t*e si-ilarit6 o# t*e -ar9s: 21 e.idence o# actual con#usion: 51 t*e -ar9eting c*annels used: 31 t*e degree o# (urc*aser care: 51 t*e de#endantAs intent in selecting t*e -ar9: and 41 t*e li9eli*ood o# e)(ansion o# (roduct lines& 4 See ,a""y9s Junky Music Stores, !nc. v. Big ,a""y9s $amily Music Center, 109 73d 255, 240 03t* Cir 19951: see also 5olaroi" Cor& v. 5olara" 8lecs. Cor&., 245 72d 292, 295 02nd Cir 19311& None o# t*ese #actors su((orts t*e district court inFunction in t*is case& MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM
4

%n#air co-(etition clai-s are decided using t*e sa-e li9eli*ood o# con#usion #actors& C*ataInternational Inc& .& "odu-, Inc&, 155 7 Su(( 2d 529, 552-55 N4 ILR 239O 0I< Pa 20011 0Juoting ' ! ; S(ortswear .& @ictoriaAs Secret Stores, 235 73d 194, 210 03d Cir 20001 0B/e -easure #ederal trade-ar9 in#ringe-ent, 15 %SC R 1112, and #ederal un#air co-(etition, 15 %SC R 11250a10110'1, ,6 identical standardsH11&

MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM I.en assu-ing t*at +au,-anAs -ar9s are strong enoug* to warrant trade-ar9 (rotection and satis#6 t*e #irst #actor, t*e second #actor strongl6 cuts against +au,-an& BRelated goods are t*ose goods w*ic*, t*oug* not identical, are related in t*e -inds o# consu-ers & & & & +*e -odern rule (rotects an6 (roduct or ser.ice w*ic* would reasona,l6 ,e t*oug*t ,6 t*e ,u6ing (u,lic to co-e #ro- t*e sa-e source, or t*oug*t to ,e a##iliated wit*, connected wit*, or s(onsored ,6, t*e trade-ar9 owner&H Bally, 29 7 Su(( 2d at 1133 0internal citations o-itted1& /*en discussing a we, site dedicated to co-(laints a,out t*e (lainti##As *ealt* clu,s, t*e court in Bally easil6 #ound t*at BNnOo,od6 co-(aring "all6As o##icial we, site wit* Nde#endantOAs site would assu-e Nde#endantOAs site Kto co-e #ro- t*e sa-e source, or t*oug*t to ,e a##iliated wit*, connected wit*, or s(onsored ,6, t*e trade-ar9 owner&L B !". at 1133-2& Li9e "all6As o##icial site and t*e B"all6 Suc9sH we, site, t*e (artiesA sites in t*is case B*a.e #unda-entall6 di##erent (ur(oses& N+au,-anOAs site is a co--ercial ad.ertise-ent& N is*9o##OAs site is a consu-er co--entar6& ;a.ing suc* di##erent (ur(oses de-onstrates t*at t*ese sites are not (ro)i-atel6 co-(etiti.e,H i&e&, are not related goods or ser.ices& !". at 1132& 's #or t*e t*ird #actor, si-ilarit6 o# t*e -ar9s, t*e trade-ar9s B+au,-anH and B+*e S*o(s at /illow "endH are clearl6 dissi-ilar to and distinguis*a,le #ro- is*9o##As use o# t*e -ar9s in *is do-ain na-es, suc* as Bwww&tau,-ansuc9sco-H or Bwww&t*es*o(satwillow,endsuc9s&co-H& 'lt*oug* t*e Bsuc9sH do-ain na-es contain t*e trade-ar9s, t*e addition o# t*e word Bsuc9sC radicall6 c*anges t*e -essage ,eing co--unicated& BS*o(sat/illow"endSuc9sH is clearl6 not an identi#ier #or +au,-anAs -all, ,ut rat*er an una-,iguous state-ent o# negati.e o(inion a,out it& 's is*9o## (oints out in t*e introduction to *is site, t*e acce(ted slang de#inition o# Bto suc9H is Bto ,e o,Fectiona,le or inadeJuate,H and BNtO*is, o# course, is t*e sense in w*ic* IA- using t*e ter-&H 0R& 53 C<s attac*ed to -otion to su((le-ent t*e record1 +*e Bally court noted t*at BANsOuc9sA *as entered t*e .ernacular as a word loaded wit* criticis-&H Bally at 1132& No reasona,l6 (rudent Internet user would ,elie.e t*at B+au,-anSuc9sC is si-ilar to +au,-an& !"& at n& 2&
Co(6rig*t 2013, +*e "ureau o# National '##airs, Inc& Re(roduction or redistri,ution, in w*ole or in (art, and in an6 #or-, wit*out e)(ress written (er-ission, is (ro*i,ited e)ce(t as (er-itted ,6 t*e "N' Co(6rig*t Polic6& *tt(:DDwww&,na&co-Dcor(Dinde)&*t-lE@ 4

Internet Law Resource Center ISSN 2159-3051

I.en i# a we, user ,elie.ed initiall6 t*at is*9o##As gri(e site could ,e s(onsored ,6 +au,-an, w*ic* is unli9el6, t*is Binitial interest con#usionH also #ails to su((ort t*e inFunction& Initial interest con#usion is Ba ,rand o# consu-er con#usion & & & w*ic* (er-its a #inding o# a li9eli*ood o# con#usion alt*oug* t*e consu-er is onl6 initiall6 con#used and Juic9l6 ,eco-es aware o# t*e sourceAs actual identit6,H 4orthlan", 115 7 Su(( 2d at 1119& In t*e conte)t o# t*e Internet, an6 initial con#usion is de -ini-us ,ecause BInternet sur#ers are inured to t*e #alse starts and e)cursions awaiting t*e- in t*is e.ol.ing -ediu-&H Chatam, 155 7 Su(( 2d at 559& /e, users 9now t*e6 will reac* t*e wrong site on occasion, and suc* a -ista9e is easil6 cured wit* t*e (ress o# a ,utton, w*ic* is w*6 t*ere Bis a di##erence ,etween inad.ertentl6 landing on a we,site and ,eing con#used&H !"& at 559 0citing #he 4et'ork 4et'ork v. CBS, !nc., 52 %SPU2d 1150, 1155 .D !LR A013 0C< Cal 200011: see also Strick Cor&. v. Stricklan", 132 7 Su(( 2d 352, 355 .1 !LR ?EE3 0I< Pa 20011 0Ban6 con#usion t*at a consu-er -a6 *a.e w*en reac*ing de#endantAs we, site is not legall6 cogniGa,leH1: $or", 155 7 Su(( 2d at 333 0Juoting Strick at 359-40 0BNaOn6 incon.enience to an Internet user searc*ing #or Plainti##As we, site is tri.ial&H11& In addition, since +au,-an and is*9o## are not co-(etitors, an6 initial interest con#usion t*at -ig*t ,e su##ered ,6 .isitors to is*9o##As gri(e site does not *a.e t*e sa-e B,ait and switc*C conseJuence t*at t*e doctrine see9s to (re.ent& See Chatam, 155 7 Su(( 2d at 554 0citing cCart*6 on +rade-ar9 and %n#air Co-(etition, R 23:3 02t* ed& 200011& +*ere#ore, NdOissi-ilarit6 o# goods and ser.ices resol.es t*e initial interest con#usion Juestion& ' trade-ar9 .iolation ,ased u(on initial interest con#usion in.ol.es t*e Funior user No# t*e -ar9O ca(italiGing on t*e senior userAs goodwill& +*e senior userAs custo-ers, at least tangentiall6 in t*e -ar9et #or t*e Funior userAs ser.ices, accidentall6 access t*e in#ringing site w*ile in searc* o# in#or-ation on t*e senior userAs (roducts& +*us, relatedness o# (roducts is an i-(ortant co-(onent in t*e anal6sis&H !". at 554-59 0Juoting 4et'ork 4et'ork, 52 %SPU 2d at 1155-541& ?i.en t*e discussion a,o.e, it is also not sur(rising t*at +au,-an was una,le to o##er an6 e.idence o# actual con#usion, anot*er #actor weig*ing against t*e inFunction& In #act, BNrOegistering do-ain na-es in t*e #or- o# Nco-(an6 na-eOsuc9s&co- to (ro.ide a #oru- #or critical co--entar6 is not unco--on,H w*ic* -a9es suc* do-ain na-es e.en less li9el6 to con#use we, users& Lucent, 95 7 Su(( at n& 9& +*e intent o# t*e de#endant #actor also cuts against +au,-an& is*9o## c*ose t*e Bsuc9s&co-H do-ain na-es to identi#6 *is we, sites as *osting content critical o# t*e (lainti##, wit*out an6 intent to (ro#it #rot*at use& 'nd, BNwO*ile de#endant -a6 intend to use t*e do-ain na-es *ere to attract Internet users interested in (lainti##As ,usiness, t*is does not eJuate wit* an atte-(t to (ass o## an6 t6(e o# co--ercial ser.ices or goods as ,eing t*ose o# (lainti##&H 4orthlan", 115 7 Su(( 2d at 1121& "ecause is*9o##As gri(e site is non-co--ercial, none o# t*e re-aining #actors su((orts a #inding o# li9el6 con#usion& +o sensi,l6 a((l6 t*e-, t*ere -ust ,e co-(eting, related (roducts or ser.ices& is*9o## is not a s*o((ing -all de.elo(er, w*ile +au,-an Bdoes not clai- to ,e 9nown as a -anu#acturer o# .acuu- cleaners or suction (u-(s & & & or a test la,orator6 #or ,e.erage straws, or a (orn star, a ,lac9 *ole, or an6 ot*er sort o# entit6 t*at (eo(le are li9el6 to associate wit* suc9ing&H Fiven"i niversal v. Mr. Jay ,avis Sallen, /IP= Case No& <2001-1121 .AA !LR ?1D3 011D5D011& Custo-er con#usion ,etween a gri(e site and a site s(onsored ,6 t*e criticAs target is w*oll6 i-(ro,a,le& No ot*er #ederal court *as 6et to #ind a Bsuc9s&co-H do-ain na-e or we, site li9el6 to ,e con#used wit* t*e trade-ar9 criticiGed& See Lucent, 95 7 Su(( 2d 524: Bally, 29 7 Su(( 2d 1131, $or", 155 7 Su(( 2d 331: ,ut see discussion o# cases resol.ed under IC'NNAs %ni#or- Polic6, su&ra at Section III&"& 7indings o# trade-ar9 lia,ilit6 *a.e instead generall6 ,een li-ited to cases w*ere t*e do-ain na-e in Juestion was identical to t*e (lainti##As -ar9& See 5lanne" 5arenthoo", 1995 /L 1333313, 58#A, 233 73d 359: and Je's for Jesus, 993 7 Su(( 242& 't least one court *as #ound lac9 o# con#usion e.en w*en t*e do-ain na-e and t*e -ar9 were identical& See 4orthlan", 115 7 Su(( 2d 1104& C. *is#5off9s Use of Taubman9s *ar5s Is a )air Use
Co(6rig*t 2013, +*e "ureau o# National '##airs, Inc& Re(roduction or redistri,ution, in w*ole or in (art, and in an6 #or-, wit*out e)(ress written (er-ission, is (ro*i,ited e)ce(t as (er-itted ,6 t*e "N' Co(6rig*t Polic6& *tt(:DDwww&,na&co-Dcor(Dinde)&*t-lE@ 9

Internet Law Resource Center ISSN 2159-3051

+*e district court inFunction is also in error ,ecause is*9o## is clearl6 -a9ing a #air use o# +au,-anAs -ar9s, w*ic* is e)(ressl6 (rotected ,6 t*e Lan*a- 'ct& 15 %SC 11150,1021& is*9o## is Be)ercising *is rig*t to (u,lis* critical co--entar6 a,outH t*e (lainti##, and B*e cannot do t*is wit*out -a9ing re#erence toH t*e (lainti##& Bally, 29 7 Su(( 2d at 1135& +*at is w*6 BNaOn indi.idual w*o wis*es to engage in consu-er co--entar6 -ust *a.e t*e #ull range o# -ar9s t*at t*e trade-ar9 owner *as to identi#6 t*e trade-ar9 owner as t*e o,Fect o# criticis-&H !"& at n& 2: see also Lucent, 95 7 Su(( 2d at 535-33 0B' success#ul s*owing t*at lucentsuc9s&co- is e##ecti.e (arod6 andDor a cite 0sic1 #or critical co--entar6 would seriousl6 under-ine t*e reJuisite ele-ents #or t*e causes o# action at issue in t*is caseH1& +*e #act t*at #air uses B#reJuentl6 are designed to, and actuall6 -a6, *inder t*e -ar9 ownerAs co--ercial success,C does not a##ect t*eir (rotected status& $or", 155 7 Su(( 2d at 332& BIn t*e o##line conte)t, consider a gra##iti .andal (ainting K7uc9 ?eneral otorsC on a sign at 7ord *eadJuarters& /*ile so-e ot*er law -a6 0or s*ould1 (ro.ide a re-ed6, it would ,e a stretc* to conclude t*at trade-ar9 law *ad ,een .iolated,H i"& at n& 3, e.en i# t*e .andalAs insult con.inced so-e consu-ers to a.oid 7ord (roducts& In #act, consu-er criticis- is a (rotected #air use (recisel6 ,ecause it (ro-otes .igorous (u,lic de,ate and discussion a,out t*e s*ortco-ings o# co--ercial (roducts and ser.ices& 0. AC2A Also )ails to ,u%%ort t#e In=unction A+ainst *is#5off9s 8ri%e ,ite 'lt*oug* it is unclear w*et*er t*e district court a((lied t*e 'nti-C6,ersJuatting Protection 'ct 0B'CP'H1 w*en e)(anding its inFunction to include t*e Bsuc9sH do-ain na-es and gri(e site, it is clear t*at t*e statute does not su((ort t*e inFunction& %nli9e traditional trade-ar9 re-edies, 'CP' does not reJuire co--ercial use o# t*e -ar9, ,ut does reJuire a #inding o# B,ad #ait* intent to (ro#it #ro- Nt*e (lainti##AsO -ar9C M an intent is*9o## clearl6 lac9s& 15 %SC R 11250110'10i1& is*9o## *as not atte-(ted to sell t*e Bsuc9sC do-ains #or a (ro#it, and certainl6 does not #it t*e BAclassicA c6,ersJuatter (ro#ile, i&e&, a (erson w*o registers -ulti(le do-ain na-es and atte-(ts to sell t*e- #or t*e *ig*est (rice o,taina,le&C 4orthlan", 115 7 Su(( 2d at 122& In addition, under 'CP', B#air use o# t*e -ar9 in a site accessi,le under t*e Ndis(utedO do-ain na-eH is a #actor de-onstrating a lac9 o# ,ad #ait* intent& 15 %SC R 1125011 0"10i10I@1& %ses t*at suggest a lac9 o# ,ad #ait* include co--ent, criticis-, and use o# do-ain na-es t*at ,6 t*eir own ter-s signal suc* a use, e&g&, ,6 a((ending t*e ter- Bsuc9sH to t*e trade-ar9 o# t*e criticiGed (art6& See Lucent, 95 7 Su(( 2d at 535& 7urt*er-ore, 'CP' a((lies onl6 i# t*e do-ain na-es used ,6 is*9o## are Bidentical or con#usingl6 si-ilarH to +au,-anAs -ar9s& 15 %SC 11250d10110'10ii10I1& 's discussed a,o.e, #inding a li9eli*ood o# con#usion ,etween t*e -ar9 B+au,-anH and t*e do-ain na-e Bwww&tau,-ansuc9s&co-H stretc*es t*e ,ounds o# credulit6& ' #inding under 'CP' t*at t*e6 are Bcon#usingl6 si-ilarH clearl6 sur(asses t*ose ,ounds, #or t*e sa-e reasons& 4. T#e 2reliminar7 In=unction Issue( b7 t#e 0istrict Court is an Unconstitutional 2rior Restraint 'lt*oug* 7irst '-end-ent considerations in#or- t*e statutor6 anal6sis o# an6 trade-ar9 clai-, courts -ust also conduct an inde(endent constitutional inJuir6 to ensure t*at trade-ar9 laws do not i-(inge on 7irst '-end-ent rig*ts& See %ar&er G Ro' v. 4ation 8nter&rises, 251 %S539, 530 019451& In t*is case, ,ecause is*9o## used t*e Internet to engage in (rotected, non-co--ercial s(eec*, t*e district courtAs (reli-inar6 inFunction is an unconstitutional (rior restraint& B+e-(orar6 restraining orders and (er-anent inFunctions M i&e&, court orders t*at actuall6 #or,id s(eec* acti.ities M are classic e)a-(les o# (rior restraints&H AleHan"er v. nite" States, 509 %S 522, 550 019931: see 4e' Iork #imes Co. v. nite" States, 203 %S 513 019511: BrganiCation for a Better Austin v. Keefe, 202 %S 215 019511: 4ear v. Minnesota, 243 %S 395 019311& +*e6 co-e to t*e court ,earing a *ea.6 (resu-(tion against t*eir constitutionalit6& BrganiCation for a Better Austin, 202 %S at 219: Bantam Books, !nc. v. Sullivan, 352 %S 54, 50 019331& ' (lainti## Bcarries a *ea.6 ,urden o# s*owing Fusti#ication #or t*e i-(osition o# suc* a restraint&H BrganiCation for a Better Austin, 202 %S at 219& +*e6 are rarel6 u(*eld& See 4e' Iork #imes Co., 203 %S 513 0Pentagon Pa(ers case1& Consu-er criticis- and co--entar6 *as long ,een recogniGed as core (rotected s(eec*& See Bose
Co(6rig*t 2013, +*e "ureau o# National '##airs, Inc& Re(roduction or redistri,ution, in w*ole or in (art, and in an6 #or-, wit*out e)(ress written (er-ission, is (ro*i,ited e)ce(t as (er-itted ,6 t*e "N' Co(6rig*t Polic6& *tt(:DDwww&,na&co-Dcor(Dinde)&*t-lE@ 10

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Cor&. v. Consumers nion, 233 %S 245 019421: Semco v. Amcast, 52 73d 104, 111-12 03t* Cir 19951: 5orous Me"ia Cor&. v. 5all Cor&., 153 73d 1109, 1119-21 04t* Cir 19991& 's t*e Su(re-e Court *as clearl6 stated, BNo (rior decisions su((ort t*e clai- t*at t*e interest o# an indi.idual in ,eing #ree #ro(u,lic criticis- o# *is ,usiness (ractices in (a-(*lets or lea#lets warrants t*e use o# t*e inFuncti.e (ower o# a court&H BrganiCation for a Better Austin, 202 %S at 219: see also L.L. Bean v. ,rake 5ublishers, 411 72d 23, 32 01st Cir 19451 0#inding -agaGineAs non-co--ercial (arod6 to ,e Ban editorial or artistic, rat*er t*an a co--ercial, use o# t*e -ar9,H and *olding t*at a((lication o# anti-dilution statute .iolated 7irst '-end-ent1& 9 +*at rule a((lies eJuall6 to t*e critical co--entar6 on is*9o##As gri(e site& MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM
9

Si-ilarl6, is*9o##As use o# t*e Bsuc9sH do-ain na-es is analogous to t*e use o# a trade-ar9 in t*e title o# a creati.e wor9 to descri,e t*e su,Fect o# t*at wor9, and is due t*e sa-e (rotection& See +win Pea9s Production .& Pu,lications IntAl, 993 72d 1233, 1359 02nd Cir 19931: Rogers .& ?ri-aldi, 455 72d 992, 999 02nd Cir 19491&

MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM 7inall6, t*e (rior restraint i-(osed ,6 t*e district courtAs inFunction is (articularl6 ,road ,ecause it e)tends #ar ,e6ond t*e do-ain na-es or s(eci#ic uses o# +au,-anAs -ar9s to enFoin (u,lication o# all s(eec* on is*9o##As gri(e site at any do-ain na-e on t*e /e,& 0R& 20 e-orandu- o(inion ! order, ((& 15-131 +*ere is si-(l6 no wa6 to inter(ret trade-ar9 law or t*e 7irst '-end-ent to sanction suc* a ,road restraint on (u,lication& C$.CLU,I$. 7or t*e reasons stated a,o.e, amici urge t*is Court to *old t*at is*9o##As online criticis- o# +au,-an is (rotected ,6 t*e 7irst '-end-ent, and to .acate t*e district courtAs (reli-inar6 inFunction against is*9o##As we, site& Res(ect#ull6 su,-itted, 'nn "eeson Qe.in S& "an9ston '-erican Ci.il Li,erties %nion 7oundation 125 "road Street New 8or9, N8 10002 02121 529-2500 ic*ael P& Stein,erg Qar6 L& oss ic*igan

'-erican Ci.il Li,erties %nion 7und o# 30 /& ;ancoc9 <etroit, I 24201-1322

Co(6rig*t 2013, +*e "ureau o# National '##airs, Inc& Re(roduction or redistri,ution, in w*ole or in (art, and in an6 #or-, wit*out e)(ress written (er-ission, is (ro*i,ited e)ce(t as (er-itted ,6 t*e "N' Co(6rig*t Polic6& *tt(:DDwww&,na&co-Dcor(Dinde)&*t-lE@ 11

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03131 554-3412 '''''''''' - Ind o# Case -

Co(6rig*t 2013, +*e "ureau o# National '##airs, Inc& Re(roduction or redistri,ution, in w*ole or in (art, and in an6 #or-, wit*out e)(ress written (er-ission, is (ro*i,ited e)ce(t as (er-itted ,6 t*e "N' Co(6rig*t Polic6& *tt(:DDwww&,na&co-Dcor(Dinde)&*t-lE@ 12