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Chrysler Sues Internet Sites

29 September 1998

Chrysler Sues Internet Pirates Dodging Trademark Law

    AUBURN HILLS, Mich., Sept. 29 -- Chrysler Corporation
today announced the filing of a complaint in federal court alleging
trademark infringement and seeking damages against two Internet providers who
pirated the name "Dodge" to promote sexually explicit and offensive material
at their Web sites.
    "A customer searching for information on a Dodge should not be faced with
pornography and other offensive material," said Chrysler attorney Ron Fuller.
    For 75 years, Chrysler has used the name "Dodge" to identify a vehicle
brand, and registered the trademark Dodge in 1939.  With the advent of the
Internet, Chrysler registered and established the domain name "4adodge.com"
in 1995 for a World Wide Web Site that provides information on the Dodge
product line to Internet users.
    Despite these long standing trademarks, as early as December, 1996,  New
York based The Net registered the domain name "foradodge.com", and is using
this domain name for a  Web Site entry link to a pornographic Web Site called
"nothingtohide.com".
    "The Net is clearly using one of the most identifiable brand names in the
automotive industry to make money dispensing pornography," said Chrysler's
Fuller.
    "4adodge" has not been the only trademark to fall victim to The Net.
Chrysler's complaint alleges that, in the past, The Net surreptitiously
obtained and registered other trademarks including "cnn.org", "msnbc.org",
"themicrosoftnetwork.com", "nasa.net", and "www.whitehouse.com", to name just
a few.
    A second named defendant, New York-based Host Networks, Inc., provides
Internet users with access to The Net's "foradodge.com" Web Site.
    In July, 1998, Chrysler requested that Host Networks cease using the
"foradodge" domain name.  Host responded with an offer to sell the name to
Chrysler for a substantial fee.
    "What these defendants are doing is wrong.  They pirated Dodge.  They are
making money using our brand name.  And now, they are holding the name hostage
by attempting to sell it to Chrysler.  We do not have to buy what is already
ours," said Mr. Fuller.
    Chrysler has asked the court to enter an injunction that prohibits the
defendants from continuing to use the "foradodge" domain name and to award
Chrysler damages due to the infringing use.
    Earlier this year, Chrysler successfully removed another pornographic Web
Site that was also using a corporate trademark.