Westpac refuses domain name
(15 March 2010 – Australia) An entrepreneur has offered Westpac the rights to the domain name Westp.ac, only to end up in a dispute over ethics with the bank, which refuses to engage with the domain realtor, according to The Australian newspaper.
Just last week Dominic Holland offered Qantas the domain name Qant.as, which he owns, also claiming that he had already been offered A$1.3 million in a private auction.
Westpac and Qantas have sought legal advice over the domain names, with both parties issuing letters alleging trademark infringement to Mr Holland.
A spokesperson for Westpac told The Australian that the bank is in no way interested in engaging with Mr Holland, saying his approach is opportunistic and unethical.
Mr Holland, who purchased the domain name for A$60, said that he had infringed on the bank’s trademark on no legal basis.
Mr Holland also said that he has received a trademark claim from Westpac’s legal team which has no legal merit hence they could not lodge a formal complaint, The Australian reported.
If the bank wants to talk ethics then what about the billions in fees they raise in New Zealand and Australia alone which place them as one of the top 100 global companies, when Australia and New Zealand's population combined don't rank top 10 globally.
Mr Holland has linked the brand name into separate country domain codes. Ascension Island country code represents the .ac in Westp.ac.
Mr Holland remains resolute that Qantas and Westpac have no legal standing.
Westpac and Qantas have sought legal advice over the domain names, with both parties issuing letters alleging trademark infringement to Mr Holland.
A spokesperson for Westpac told The Australian that the bank is in no way interested in engaging with Mr Holland, saying his approach is opportunistic and unethical.
Mr Holland, who purchased the domain name for A$60, said that he had infringed on the bank’s trademark on no legal basis.
Mr Holland also said that he has received a trademark claim from Westpac’s legal team which has no legal merit hence they could not lodge a formal complaint, The Australian reported.
If the bank wants to talk ethics then what about the billions in fees they raise in New Zealand and Australia alone which place them as one of the top 100 global companies, when Australia and New Zealand's population combined don't rank top 10 globally.
Mr Holland has linked the brand name into separate country domain codes. Ascension Island country code represents the .ac in Westp.ac.
Mr Holland remains resolute that Qantas and Westpac have no legal standing.
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