Web designer Paul Dell is asking for donations to help him defend himself against legal action and a claim for damages from computer maker Dell, Inc.
Paul Dell has been summoned to appear before the Tribunal de Grande Instance Paris because he owns dellwebsites.com. Paul uses the web address to publicise his web design business, but is accused of parasitism and unfair competition. Dell America seeks €100, 000 in damages, €50,000 for Dell France, plus another €500 for every mention of the word Dell on his website.
Paul Dell is asking for PayPal donations to help him pay for his defence.
Bizarrely, Dell, Inc. tried to take similar action against Paul Dell in 2002 but walked away when he refused to cave in to pressure.
Paul Dell has owned and run the website since April 2001. He also runs dellimages.com where he sells his photographs.
Dell, Inc. was unable to comment at press time.
A posse of Paul's friends have set up a page explaining why you should support him here. Or visit Paul's own site here.
Personally, I believe this is absolutely dispicable. This isn't the first time such things have happened either. But, as always, corporations are money-grubbing assholes who care only about themselves and the bottom line, where is their next million coming from.
I hope Dell loses their asstastic lawsuit.
Saint Annihilus - Patron Saint of Dealing with Stupid Customers
Man oh man. If only I could be the judge on this case. Dell's case dismissed, an award of $1million+ to Mr. Dell for pain & suffering, slandering his name, harrasment, court fees, etc. Followed swiftly by another large fine for wasting the court's valuable time with Dell's craptastic nonsense.
Not that that would probably fly...but damned it would be great to do.
Saint Annihilus - Patron Saint of Dealing with Stupid Customers
What the fuck? It is his last name. If anything they should be paying HIM.
"Nothing in biology makes sense except in the light of evolution."
- Theodosius Dobzhansky
There is no word harsh enough for this. No verbal edge sharp and cold enough to set forth the flaying needed. English is to young and the elder languages of the earth beyond me. ~Frigid
The Holocaust was an Amazing Logistical Achievement~Havoc
This is so pointless. They have no case; Mr Dell has every reason to be using such a URL.
And seriously, "unfair competition"? Whiskey Tango Foxtrot, I think it's "unfair competition" when you sue a guy for hundreds of thousands for doing something he's perfectly entitled to do.
Thank god for Tennessee Harold Ford protecting us from nuclear vegemite. - Petrosjko
Major Reilly: Air Command
"They can shoot me dead, but the moral high ground is mine" - The Doctor
