Bodog's Domain Names Confiscated

[NASHVEGAS]

An excerpt from The Wizard of Odds e-mailed newsletter that I just received...Dunno?................. http://WizardOfOdds.com/newsletters/2007-09-12.html From Michael Bluejay....
Bodog.com is gone!I'm working from Japan at the moment, and the other day I couldn't load Bodog.com. So I called the Wizard on my VoIP phone (free call, even though I'm in Japan, hah!), to see if he could load it. He could load it just fine, so I figured the problem was on my end. Then the site went down for the Wizard too. And for the whole rest of the world.
Seems that Bodog lost a lawsuit brought by a company that says Bodog has been using their technology to deliver the games to users over the Internet faster. Actually, Bodog didn't so much lose as they got a default judgement against them, since they didn't show up to the trial for some reason.

So the suing company got control of all of Bodog's domains. But they can't do anything with them, because the name "Bodog" is trademarked. So while losing the domains is a loss for Bodog, it's not exactly a victory for the company that got them.

While Bodog is trying to get their domains back, they moved all their stuff over to NewBodog.com. Works just like the old one. Same site, new address, no problems. I logged in to check on that bet I made that Congress won't override a presidential veto this year, which I detailed back in the May newsletter. My $50 bet is still there, waiting on the outcome of the bet.

But that's not the only Bodog news...

Bodog spins off its North American gaming operation!
Bodog recently licensed the rights to operate its North American gaming operation to another company, Morris Mohawk Gaming. What this means is that players in North America get served by one company (Morris Mohawk) and players in other places get served by the original Bodog. But this will be seamless for the player, since there's just one website. It won't look any different to the players. But behind the scenes, one or the other companies is going to be running the servers and taking care of the money, depending on the player's country.
Is this related to Bodog's recent loss of their domains? Absolutely. They now have another partner to try to get the domains back, since Morris Mohawk has a huge stake in them. Bodog founder Calvin Ayre says as much in his blog.

Another plus for Bodog in licensing off their N. American ops is that it should lessen their legal liability, in light of the U.S. crackdown on online gambling. If the U.S. wants to go after Bodog's operation, now they won't be able to go after Bodog itself, in theory.

Anyway, a good question that North American players have might be, can I still expect the same high quality customer service from this new company? The answer is Yes. Bodog didn't license their brand as an afterthought, the contract with Morris Mohawk stipulates specifically that M.M. must maintain Bodog's high standards for service and support, and if they don't, then Bodog can cancel the agreement.

Readers know that the main reason we chose Bodog as our advertiser is because Bodog is consistently reputable, and it's rare for players to have any problems getting paid. Rest assured that if that ever changes, we'll be looking for a more reputable advertiser. At present, though, both the Wizard and I feel strongly that there's nothing to worry about.

RIGHTBACKACHA

[Simmo!]

SEO discussion (derail) split out and moved to: http://www.casinomeister.com/forums/...ion-split.html

[NASHVEGAS]

Calvin's 9-12-2007 Blog..................you be the judge!!!
http://www.newcalvinayre.com/my-take...anjo-song.html

My Take on the Patent Suit, Patent Trolls and that Stupid Banjo Song

posted on 12 Sep 2007 by Calvin Ayre.




Billy Redden as "Lonny" from the movie "Deliverance" (Photo courtesy Warner Bros.)


CLICK TO PLAY "Dueling Banjos"

It ain't over till it's over.

There seems to be a certain amount of confusion surrounding the patent suit filed by Scott Lewis/1st Technology. As a result I've been asked a number of questions from concerned staff and customers, as well as industry folk, business colleagues and the media—tons of people want to know just what the hell is going on. Questions like: "Who is involved?" "How did this all come about?" "Why have you signed a licensing agreement with Morris Mohawk Gaming Group and what, if anything, does that have to do with the patent suit?" But my favorite question has to be: "Aren't you worried about being sued for making potentially libelous remarks?"

Just so you know, this is still an ongoing matter and I don't have the answers to all of your questions. But I will tell you this much…it is extremely important to see the obvious humor in this patent suit. That's why I've used my blog to express my opinions on the matter. Because all of this is pretty fucking insane and I'm still shaking my head over it.
Still…you've asked. Here are my answers…

My initial reaction to the patent suit?

I wish they would have actually served that company instead of just pretending they did to a Nevada Judge, which is what the research seems to indicate they did.

Have I ever heard of 1st Technology before this suit?

I never heard of them until the domains were grabbed. I think grabbing the domains was a big mistake. If anything, they should have just taken control of them and then quietly negotiated a settlement.

The second they unilaterally redirected them in what I am sure was a big testosterone gratifying move on their part, they gave our side the opportunity to show the world some Bodog power. There is nothing Bodog likes more than a ready-made media circus.

Bodog put up another site in a matter of hours and in less than two weeks the new site was ranking number one in Google searches for Bodog once again. Consequently, the media circus has begun. These guys are “Patent Trolls” and anyone that is curious to know more about them can look up the term on Wikipedia.

How did the licensing agreement with Morris Mohawk Gaming Group come about?

We did the licensing agreement with Morris Mohawk Gaming Group because this type of brand licensing is the way our business model is designed to evolve. We have been working on this for months. It is just a coincidence that this deal was done shortly before the Patent Trolls at 1st Tech pinched the domains.

How is this dispute between 1st Technology and Morris Mohawk?

This is based on a solely US patent dispute and Bodog international does not operate in the US for gaming anymore, the new Morris Mohawk Gaming Group does.

Why blog about the dispute?

Bodog is in the entertainment business and this is a very entertaining story so we are going to have some fun with it. We have a lot more plans to run marketing programs around this dispute if it's not settled.

Why risk running a Scott Lewis dance contest?

It is just a fun way to get the entire company to show the Patent Trolls at 1st Tech how little respect we have for them. We've got all the dance videos and will be releasing them (along with the winning video!) over the next few weeks.
Have I said anything libelous and am I concerned?

This guy tried to ruin my life and the lives of thousands of others around the globe with this move. In my eyes he and his lawyer partners are sub-human. Patent Trolls are parasites on society and progress as a whole. They are modern day pirates preying on successful companies. Patent Trolls invent nothing, manufacture nothing and contribute nothing other than the messes their actions result in. I don't believe the obvious comedy on my blog is libelous, but to be honest I don't really care if it is. If they have a problem with it they can say sorry to everyone and go away or they can come see me and do something about it. In the meantime, I am going to continue to have my fun at their expense and promote Bodog while I’m at it. We're researching 1st Tech and its principals, including the lawyers involved and I will be posting details on all the background info we uncover…so stay tuned to my blog…the "Official Scott Lewis Patent Troll Website"!

Am I concerned about having to testify in the U.S.?

I am not a shareholder, officer or director of the company they are in court with…it is not active in our group and it was just an oversight that someone moved the domains into it. There is no possible way I can be dragged into that case. That is nothing more than another fantasy coming out of their camp. We are having fun with this and look forward to seeing how this unfolds. I think eventually they may actually want to pay us to go away.

What's the deal with that stupid "Dueling Banjos" song?

It's from the movie "Deliverance". In the movie "Lonny" (played by actor Billy Redden) is this mentally challenged inbred…but damn can he play a mean banjo. It's a catchy tune that has come to symbolize the fucking bizarre nature of this whole patent suit thing. You can watch the video here. (**There's also some dueling banjos dance scenes in this clip…it's the sort of stuff we are aspiring to achieve in the Scott Lewis-Patent Troll dance contest!)

And yes I realize I've used the word "fucking" twice in this blog post. Sue me.

[SlotsWizard]

We did the licensing agreement with Morris Mohawk Gaming Group because this type of brand licensing is the way our business model is designed to evolve. We have been working on this for months. It is just a coincidence that this deal was done shortly before the Patent Trolls at 1st Tech pinched the domains.

Sure, Calvin.

On an unrelated note, I'm looking to buy a bridge - would you by coincidence happen to have one for sale?

[jetset]

He certainly seems to be putting a brave face on it, but we're seeing one side of a story here and by the looks of it 1st Technologies are holding their fire until they get into court, when the 'humourous' aspect of this could be a case of "he who laughs last laughs loudest."

Given the list of online gambling companies that have licensed the 1st Technologies patent, I'm surprised that noone at Bodog seems to have heard of the company or Scott Lewis.

But quite apart from the personal chutzpah and chest-thumping, this is another interesting development because again it shows the direction Bodog is taking to fight the 1st Technologies case.

They certainly have a lot riding on Alwyn Morris and his company, which makes his response to Nash's questions even more pertinent - I presume nothing further has been heard from him?

[NASHVEGAS]

He certainly seems to be putting a brave face on it, but we're seeing one side of a story here and by the looks of it 1st Technologies are holding their fire until they get into court, when the 'humourous' aspect of this could be a case of "he who laughs last laughs loudest."

Given the list of online gambling companies that have licensed the 1st Technologies patent, I'm surprised that noone at Bodog seems to have heard of the company or Scott Lewis.

But quite apart from the personal chutzpah and chest-thumping, this is another interesting development because again it shows the direction Bodog is taking to fight the 1st Technologies case.

They certainly have a lot riding on Alwyn Morris and his company, which makes his response to Nash's questions even more pertinent - I presume nothing further has been heard from him?

I have checked around but have seen nothing from Morris and would assume Morris may listen to his legal counsel (and remain silent) and not make some of the mistakes Calvin appears to be making based on the recent narcissism in his blogs. I can only imagine what Calvin's legal counsel is thinking.

[lojo]

All I see here is someone who has absolutely no respect for intellectual or industrial property rights.
Did ya mess up CA? Did ya think you didn't have to play by the rules like everybody else? Can you admit you are wrong and settle up?
I see him calling Lewis a patent troll, but CA never denies THAT HE STOLE SOMEONE ELSE'S PROPERTY (err used it without permission, yeah)

What a joke.

[Mousey]

I realize I'm probably repeating myself, but this is bugging me.

What I still want to know is... why isn't RTG being hit with this? (I am assuming here that RTG has not paid and signed an agreement w/1st Technologies. Please someone correct me if there is information to the contrary.)

I've seen that Playtech software ponied up for 1st Techonolgy rights -- but not individual Playtech casinos.

So... while I have no particular fondness for Ayre, I still don't quite see how the judgement can be brought against a single RTG casino for not having a paid license to use whatever that super duper thingy is that 1st Technologies holds the patent on.

And while I'm asking silly questions... did we ever find out who actually owns RTG now??

[jetset]

Perhaps 1st Technologies have found out how hard it is to even communicate with RTG these days, let alone serve process on them in their new Central American domicile. They're also probably not as profitable a target....and perhaps they have been cleverer than Bodog in regard to US-attachable assets.

Nothing has come to light yet on the new Bodog ownership....nor has it been confirmed that there was even a takeover. Plenty of rumours but no fact, and the possibility of a little subterfuge cannot be ruled out imo - McMain is still the CEO, after all.

And Bodog has it's own unique version of the software.

One more thought seeing as we're speculating - if you wanted to make a high profile statement that might persuade more companies to take you seriously and license, what better target than Bodog....for all the above reasons...and the likely reaction from Calvin?.

[Casinomeister]

Perhaps 1st Technologies have found out how hard it is to even communicate with RTG these days, let alone serve process on them in their new Central American domicile. They're also probably not as profitable a target....and perhaps they have been cleverer than Bodog in regard to US-attachable assets.

I can attest to that. RTG has pretty much made themselves "untouchable"

Nothing has come to light yet on the new Bodog ownership....nor has it been confirmed that there was even a takeover...

You mean RTG. At first, I thought I missed something in this thread.

One more thought seeing as we're speculating - if you wanted to make a high profile statement that might persuade more companies to take you seriously and license, what better target than Bodog....for all the above reasons...and the likely reaction from Calvin?.

Yep, makes sense.

Admin note. I'm removing the references to child sex and drug dealing from the banned user's comments. CHAINSAWDAVE tried signing up again in this forum under the disguise of Coolhandluke, but Vortran007 - my forum bouncer - booted him out before he could start spewing his spewage.