What's the highest and best use of the domains baidu.eu, baidu.be etc.? Not being associated with the European Web-design firm named Baidu, it would seem. Since the other Baidu, based in China, has become the world's 2nd-biggest search engine, the search-Baidu identity has eclipsed other meanings. Euro Baidu has decided to dump its Baidu domains, trademarks etc. and sell the stuff to the highest bidder on eBay. It hopes to raise $1.7 million. Starting bid is $250,000. Presumably the Chinese Baidu would be interested, but who might bid against it? How about Google? From the press release:

Since announcing their intention to sell their domains and brand names, Baidu Europe (baidu.eu) has spoken with several parties, among which are a Brazilian-based Internet company, an American adult porn search engine and a Thai search engine called Buzz Technologies Inc. Interested parties can now make a bid on eBay during the next 10 days. The highest bidder on eBay will become the owner of 16 Baidu domain names (including baidu.eu, baidu.tv/tel and baidu.me) and a valid brand name Baidu in 27 European countries and the United States.

Posted by Jay Hancock at 11:09 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Intellectual Property
        

Missed this story last week. Frederick Bouchat, the amateur artist who has been in a legal war with the Ravens for more than a decade over a team logo he drew, is still at it. Bouchat designed a "Flying B" image that a jury ruled the Ravens stole from him for their original logo. However, the jury didn't award him any damages, and the Ravens changed their logo. These days Bouchat is saying the Ravens' sale of old game footage violates his copyright because his design appears in the films. He wants a judge to block the sale of any Ravens materials that portray the Flying B.

To see Bouchat's logo, check out the Maryland Intellectual Property Blog. Of course under fair use I could reproduce it here, but Bouchat has also sued The Sun over display of his design, and I have other things to do than talk to 8 lawyers. Such is the chilling effect...

Posted by Jay Hancock at 6:16 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)
Categories: Intellectual Property