JuliannaThe Ontario Tories have created mock website of Dalton McGuinty’s website (www.daltonmcguinty.ca) that bears a striking resemblance to the Premier’s own website (www.dalton.ca) – err, minus the giant “NOT THE REAL THING” stamp on the homepage. The menu and website copy is laid out identically to that of the Dalton site, however as you might imagine it questions the premier’s record and campaign promises. Apparently the Conservatives have owned www.daltonmcguinty.ca for years, choosing to use it during the final days of the provincial election which is set to take place on October 10th.
While the site is far from ruthless, the Liberal Party could have a claim against the Conservatives for cybersquatting. Cybersquatting is the practice of registering, trafficking or using a domain name in bad faith with an intent to profit on the goodwill of a trademark or name. The courts – particularly in the United States – as well as organizations such as WIPO and CIRA that offer domain dispute resolution services have previously ruled in favour of numerous public figures and celebrities seeking ownership of domains that make use of their legal name(s). While it’s doubtful McGuinty has a trademark on his name, it’s certainly being used in bad faith, even if it’s not especially hard-hitting. Really, the Conservative’s should know better.
www.dalton.ca – The original website, authorized by Ontario’s Liberal Party (above)
www.daltonmcguinty.ca – The mock website, created by Ontario’s Conservative party (above)
More: John Tory, Domain Name Hijacker, Globe & Mail