| By Dave Harding, ProgressOhio - Nov 10, 2009 9:35:23 AM ET |
Fox News' Glenn Beck has lost a claim that a website called "glenn beck raped and murdered a young girl in 1990" was registered in bad faith and in violation of his trademark rights.
The website was founded by Isaac Eiland-Hall earlier this year in response to a joke on odd-news site Fark about Beck's lack of denial for a non-existent murder/rape. Eiland-Hall argued to WIPO that he registered the website as a satirical critique of Beck's conspiratorial politics.
WIPO's arbitration panel agreed that the website appeared "to be engaged in a parody of the style or methodology that (Eiland-Hall) appears genuinely to believe is employed by (Beck) in the provision of political commentary, and for that reason (Eiland-Hall) can be said to be making a political statement."The domain name dispute resolution body added Eiland-Hall's speech was "strongly protected" under the First Amendment.
Having won the case, Eiland-Hall rejoiced by giving the website domain to Beck with a thumb-in-the-nose letter:
"It bears observing that by bringing the WIPO complaint, you took what was merely one small critique meme, in a seas of internet memes, and turned it into a super-meme. Then, in pressing forward (by not withdrawing the complaint and instead filing additional briefs), you turned the super-meme into an object lesson in First Amendment principles...
Rather than choosing to strive for excellence and civic contribution, you simply pander the fears and insecurities of your audience. And in the process, you do them, and us all, a great deal of harm.
Shame on you Mr. Beck..."
The website, glennbeckrapedandmurderedayounggirlin1990.com, is now down.
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