Well-known rock band challenges internet domain name

Me and my (former) firm Bahnhof, Sweden's oldest independent ISP, started managing the .ST country code domain in 1999. We went to the little African island nation of Sao Tomé and Principe and became friendly. We built computer class rooms and so forth in schools there and ran their domain technically from Sweden. A very cute little independent nation of 150.000 friendly people - with lots of malaria unfortunately.

Anyway, on April 10, I recevied a letter from a Scandinavian law firm who represented "a well-known rock band" who wished to challenge a domain that was registered under .ST. They did not tell the rock band's name then. The law firm believed I am responsible for .ST, but actually I have nothing to do with it since two years. So I wrote them a fun little answer, which they probably did not expect. Well, I am a freedom loving Internet entrepreneur, writer, blogger, analyst - and critical to the ever expanding Intellectual property regime.

The facts in my answer below to the law firm are true. I have had som odd experiences as an internet entrepreneur :-)

"Hello Xxxxxx

I was one of those initiating the cooperation with the little island nation of Sao Tomé and Principe in 1999. We went down to the islands and met the government. Since two years I have nothing to do with the domain however.

In my time it was only possible to make a complaint to the Domain Council of Sao Tomé and Principe (of which I was a member) and if not content with its decision one had to personally turn up in a court on the islands. Malaria prophylaxis is a must, since the islands are haunted by the deadly falciparum variety. Warning: The Lariam prohylaxis is very burdensome, people get horrible night mares and some believe they are going mad.

I was personally diagnosed with falciparum malaria only once and had to endure a quinine treatment that I don't recommend to anyone. Especially not if you experience quinine hallucinations while bobbing through a tropical thunderstorm in Air Gabon's propeller plane above the Guinea Bay.

Don't forget "bribe money" to get through Gabon's airport in Libreville if you go there to pursue your immaterial rights case!

However I have to ask you to continue your research on how to challenge an ST domain.

Try in Kiev, Ukarine, where it is rumored that the technical development is done nowadays under the auspices of a man who is supposed to be called "Uncle Blavatsky" and who is known not to like patent bureaus. I feel that he would recommend your well-known rock band to change name.

An idea: Maybe the rock band could give a free concert at the high school in the capital Sao Tomé, where me and Bahnhof constructed an internet connected computer center which was inaugurated by the Minister of Culture and the President Trovoada of Sao Tomé and Principe about six years ago? This could affect the view of the Domain Council (if it exists today) since personal relations are important in Africa.

/Oscar Swartz"

The second installment of the story is here (when it became clear that the rock band was Metallica).