BusinessWeek and Kerry Miller's Attack

BusinessWeek and Kerry Miller's Attack

Is BusinessWeek guilty of libel? You decide.

This uninformed rookie reporter has labeled all domainers as “Cybersquatters. ” In the story she boarders on libel as she accuses the owner of fave.com (Reflex Publishing) of being a “CyberSquatter.” I wrote the following note to Ms. Miller. I hope other domain owners will also write notes. Keep them factual and thoughtful. Her email address is kerry_miller@businessweek.com

Hello Ms. Miller,

I just finished reading your article "Does your success hinge on a domain name."

http://www.businessweek.com/smallbiz/content/aug2007/sb20070813_986517.htm?campaign_id=rss_smlbz

As President and CEO of the World Association of Domain Name Developers Inc, that produces the T.R.A.F.F.I.C. trade shows, (http://www.targetedtraffic.com) I must take issue with your name calling. Just because an investor owns many domain names does not make him a "Cybersquatter." That is a NASTY thing to call somebody that has done nothing wrong. His domains do not violate anyone's trademark. He has not stolen the domain. He has not done anything but purchased the domain in a legal manner. Calling him a "Cybersquatter" insinuates he has done something wrong. He has not and you should correct your story to reflect that.

Thanks for your time!

Regards,

Rick Schwartz

Btw, Elliot Silver on his blog today shows an interesting angle. Seems the REAL cybersquatter is the company that wants the Fave.com domain name. Time to push back folks. Time to set the record straight. Write Miller. Write the editor. Don't let them slide.

Have a GREAT day!
Rick Schwartz

UPDATE 3PM: Businessweek and Ms. Miller have CHANGED "Cybersquatter" to "Speculator." Way to go!!