Intellectual Property Law

Microsoft Settles with Alleged Australian Cybersquatters

By Michael Atkins

In April, Microsoft Corp. sued Trellian Pty. Ltd. of Australia and other defendants in King County Superior Court for cybersquatting, trademark infringement, false designation of origin, and other trademark claims related to the defendants’ alleged registration of domain names that are identical or confusingly similar to Microsoft’s trademarks.

As a side note, you don’t see many Lanham Act claims brought in state court, though it’s perfectly appropriate to bring such claims there.

Despite concurrent jurisdiction, the claims didn’t stay in state court long. Defendants removed the case to the Western District.

In July, defendants largely denied plaintiff’s allegations. 

The parties have now buried the hatchet. Today, Microsoft filed a Notice of Settlement asking the court to strike all deadlines in the case and advising it expects to have a formal settlement agreement signed and the case dismissed within 30 days.

The case cite is Microsoft Corp. v. Trellian Pty. Ltd., No. 08-776 (W.D. Wash.).

Full post as published by Seattle Trademark Lawyer on August 19, 2008 (boomark / email).