Bettorsworld WARNED about RIO INT'L

[bgeorgia]

The law firm of Alston & Bird, located in Atlanta, Georgia has notified Bettorsworld that any use of the name RIO when used in reference to RIO International is now a legal problem.
The court documents were sent overnight to B'World Inc, and the firm has made it clear that ANY reference to the name RIO and/or links to the domain name betrio.cr.co must be removed.
District Judge Philip Ro left no stone unturned and the above firm has made it clear the terms.
The domain names betrio.com and riosports.com are now the property of RIO Properties.

We will supply the documentation on-line soon.

Thank you.
brian

[sportshobby]

That's a real shame. I think the South American city should sue Rio Properties and make them change THEIR name. LOL

[chuckz]

it seems to me as if RIO properties is simply protecting their good name. maybe i am wrong but for many including myself, i might think the book is affiliated with RIO Properties. It looks to me as if rio sportsbook attempted to use the name and reputation to enhance their good standing. i'm not liking that too much. thats just my opinion.

[skeptic]

That sounds rather fascist to me. I can understand how they won the domain names back. I don't necessarily agree with it. But, how can they tell you, an open posting forum, what your posters can refer to a specific book as? Has the first amendment gone out the window? Fight this fascism Brian!!!!

If you insist on us not using the name Rio, I now suggest we refer to them as "the sports book formerly known as Rio." It worked for Prince, the truth came out he was not allowed to use the name Prince because of a contract, that's why he went to the name the artist 5 years. You can't stop people from calling you what they will.

This is outrageous!!!

[Jeff]

This lawsuit has been going on for quite awhile.

But I don't think it has anything to do with posters, or us, referring to Rio.....I think it has more to do with Rio using that name when advertising. Using the name on it's banners, etc.etc......

[Lilgoyboy]

The girls at the Rio are much prettier than at Rio

[Jeff]

Posted on behalf of Rio:

The Rio International Administration, Costa Rica, will address this issue
here shortly afterwards.

All players may rest assured that everything besides the loss of the
betrio.com domain name is "Business As Usual".

Feel free to email mike@betrio.co.cr for further information.

Sincerely,
Mike
Webmaster
Rio International Sportsbook www.betrio.co.cr
1-877-RIO-BETS
1-800-809-3246

[Heath]

One more reason why doing bidness over the internet in the states is for the birds.

They can't stop Rio from using the name, but any site in the US that links to them is fair game via our overlawyered society.

ICANN, the organization that handles domain name disputes has taken a lot of heat over their idiocy.

One of their recent rulings actually kept a site from using the name "referee" in their domains (i.e. myreferee.com, etc)

ICANN has Gestapo like power to seize your domain name and never give it back.

Its sick, and getting worse every single day.

BOTTOM LINE IS THIS:
--------------------
They have hired high priced legal talent to harass BW.

BW can now devote 6 figures (min) to let the lawyers duke it out, or they can yield.

I hope you guys fight.

Although I am a layman, I believe the legal precedent has been set that allows (via the 1st Amendment) this sort of linking.

The higher courts have overturned almost every "web site linking as copyright infringement" vs. FREE SPEECH decision handed over by the lower cours and ruled in favor of the FREE SPEECH (i.e. sites like BW).

The only exception I know about this is the case of DeCSS which is a different issue entirely --

Still, With Alston and Bird and their bevy of $300 an hour attorneys, they could bankrupt a pretty healthy bankroll with a quickness.

Might be better to fold even though you've got the best hand.

Best of luck with this.
Heath

See eff.org for more info on this