Monday, Nov. 2, 2009 | 12:19 p.m.
Sun Archives
- M Resort sues operator of Chinese Web site (10-28-2009)
A marketplace for the buying and selling of Web site names has blocked access to a site that allegedly infringed on the trademark of Henderson's M Resort.
Officials at Cambridge, Mass.-based Sedo, an acronym for "Search Engine for Domain Offers," said Monday they took action against the Web site after reading about it in a news story.
Allegedly operated by a Web site name seller in Shanghai, China, the Web site www.wwwmresort.com was the subject of a trademark lawsuit filed last week in U.S. District Court in Las Vegas.
The domain name owner was accused of "cybersquatting" -- that is, posting a Web site with a name similar to the name of the business an Internet user is looking for. In this case, the site apparently targeted people mistakenly typing in the extra "www".
Before it was taken down, the site included links to several travel-business Web sites that book rooms at hotels that compete with the M Resort. At one point, it linked to an adult Web site, M Resort's lawsuit complained.
Jeremiah Johnston, general counsel and chief operating officer of Sedo, said the company regularly monitors various sources to find Web site domain name owners that may be abusing its marketplace by offering for sale domain names that may violate trademarks.
More than 16 million domain names are typically offered for sale at any given time by Sedo. Besides offering the sites for sale, Sedo hosts them and tracks the traffic and ad revenue they generate -- key information of interest to buyers.
"It's basically a marketplace for language," he said.
And with the selling of language comes trademark issues, but only in a small percentage of the sites for sale, Johnston said.
He said companies and individuals concerned that their domain names are being infringed upon can contact Sedo directly.
"I don't want (on Sedo) a name subject to a legal dispute," he said.
In the M Resort case, it's possible the domain name at issue will be hosted by another company, Johnston said. But without advertising and traffic data, there's little incentive for anyone to use or buy the domain name, he said.
Johnston is also president of the Internet Commerce Association, which says it represents responsible domain name investors and developers in what's called the direct-search industry -- the Internet industry competing with non-Internet advertising media such as direct mail, print, television, radio and billboards.
Sedo is also active in protecting trademarks with the International Trademark Association.
At M Resort, locals reign supreme. Anthony Marnell III opened this casino with value in mind. With affordable drinks and meals and lots of incentives to play, it's no wonder why M has been a hit since it opened its doors in March 2009.
The property is decorated with dark wood, rich colors and amber-like light fixtures. Gaming offerings include more than 1,800 slot machines and 60 table games, as well as a poker room and race and sports book.
The resort houses 390 guest rooms, including 39 luxury suites. Designed with a modern and contemporary feel, M’s rooms feature dark wood, chrome fixtures and white linens, and are accented by blue or burgundy throws and pillows. Rooms boast floor-to-ceiling windows with views of the mountains or the Strip.
M dining options include Studio B, a show kitchen buffet; "twisted farm food" at Hash House a Go Go; Baby Cakes bakery; Anthony’s Burgers & Brews, serving gourmet burgers and fries; Vig Deli; Anthony’s Prime Steak & Seafood; Marinelli’s Authentic Italian Dishes; and the Hostile Grape Wine Cellar, where guests can taste more than 160 types of wine. Plus, 32° Draft has one of the largest beer selections in the valley, with 96 different beers on tap.
The four-star awarded, 23,000-square-foot Spa Mio offers a variety of treatments and services with saunas, Jacuzzis, 16 massage and facial rooms and a full-service salon and barbershop complete with built-in ESPN in the mirrors. Locals also receive 25 percent off all regular price services.
DayDream Pool Club heads up M's adult pool party scene offering the only locals pool party in the Valley.
Join the Discussion:
Check this out for a full explanation of our conversion to the LiveFyre commenting system and instructions on how to sign up for an account.
Full comments policy