LV Strip casinos hit up by Web squatters

David Strow

Monday, Nov. 1, 1999 | 10:49 a.m.

Congress is moving to crack down on "cybersquatting" -- news that should be welcome on the Strip, where virtually every casino has had its name appropriated on the Internet.

From the Sahara to Mandalay Bay, variations of the names of Las Vegas Boulevard's famed casinos have been reserved by profit-seekers on the Internet. Many of the names seem to point to an online casino in formation, while others show ownership in the Caribbean -- the current hotbed of unregulated Internet gambling activity.

Cybersquatting refers to the practice of registering an Internet name similar to a trademarked term, with the intent of reselling it to the trademark holder at a profit. The keeper of domain names -- Network Solutions Inc. of Herndon, Va. -- hands out the rights to the names on a first-come, first-serve basis, with the payment of a $70 registration fee.

A domain name refers to the central part of a web address, between "www" and "com."

It's unlikely the casinos would want to buy the names, because virtually all have already registered their actual property names with Network Solutions. But add "casino" or "online" to a website name, and Network Solutions permits a completely new registration. And there's little a company can do to block that registration, short of registering all possible mutations of a trademark.

What concerns casino operators is that the names could be exploited by externally operated sites. Of particular concern is the use of the names for online gambling sites -- a business that's vehemently opposed among most Nevada casino operators.

"Generally speaking, we have vigorously defended our brands, and have litigated cases where we felt outside groups cut a little too close to our long-established identities," said Sarah Ralston, spokeswoman for Mandalay Resort Group. "We're seeing some Internet companies attempting to tie themselves into regulated and licensed casinos in order to, I'm guessing, give themselves a measure of credibility.

"It's problematic, because we are opposed to Internet gambling, because it is unregulated and unlicensed."

But David Gosse, president of Las Vegas-based Personal Research Corp. -- and owner of domain names "MGMLasVegas.com" and "MGMHotel.com" -- said there's nothing malicious behind the practice. Currently, both addresses direct traffic to the company's website -- Personal Research indicates there that it's willing to sell each name for $3,000 each.

Personal Research is an Internet design and marketing firm. Gosse said his company registers familiar domain names with the intent of directing traffic to his websites.

"I hate the fact that people think it's a bad thing to own domains," Gosse said. "We don't charge crazy amounts of money. We're very reasonable, and we don't register domains with the intention of getting the domain name, then jacking up the price.

"If (MGMLasVegas.com) is a trademark infringement, that's no problem at all ... we'll transfer it back to them. In the meantime, we get a lot of spinoff traffic."

Press Aid, a company based in North Hollywood, Calif., owns variations on at least nine Strip properties -- Caesars, Excalibur, Hard Rock, Mandalay Bay, Luxor, MGM Grand, Mirage, Circus Circus and Treasure Island.

Held by companies in Antigua are domain names for the Stardust, the Tropicana, the Sahara, MGM Grand and New York-New York. One of the Antigua companies is called "MGM Casino Ltd."

In the nearby Dominican Republic, companies hold altered names for the Mirage, Bally's and the Bellagio.

It's unclear what these domain owners intend to do with the altered names. Press Aid's main site is "beijingcasino.com," which currently isn't functional. Sites held by the Caribbean firms all do not function, and there's no indication if any are for sale.

Personal Research, in the meantime, is actively attempting to cash in on famous names -- including that of Mirage Resorts Inc. Chairman Steve Wynn.

"Stevewynn.com" and "Stevenwynn.com" are both currently held by Personal Research -- and company officials made it clear they'd like to sell them to Wynn. Current going price: $10,000 each, according to the company's website. For now, the names direct traffic to Personal Research's website.

"We really respect Steve Wynn ... we'd really like to help him out," Gosse said. "A lot of the bigwigs out there have their own websites. I'm sure there's a lot of people in the community who would be interested in a Steve Wynn website.

"I'm really open to trying to work with the Wynns, if interested."

Mirage executives aren't interested in dealing with Gosse -- but may sic their lawyers on him.

"If they think they're going to sell it to us, they can think again, because that isn't going to happen," said Alan Feldman, spokesman for Mirage. "First off, Mr. Wynn has no plans to create a website, and even if he did, Mr. Wynn wouldn't subject himself to that kind of extortion."

Feldman added that Mirage would seek legal recourse against companies that use the company's property names.

"We are pursuing these guys for trademark infringement," he said. "Anyone who tries to infringe on our trademarks or intellectual property, we are pursuing or plan to pursue vigorously."

But Gosse said Wynn would have little legal recourse against his company, since names cannot be trademarked.

"Stevewynn.com ... that's not a trademark at all," Gosse said.

If Wynn doesn't buy the name, Gosse said others in the community may be interested in buying it instead. Or, he said, Personal Research may build a general interest site with the domain name centered around Wynn and his activities.

Personal Research has had clashes over some domain names it's registered before. In two separate cases, the company surrendered "discoverychannel.com" and "mobiloil.com" after the respective companies sent cease and desist letters.

"We're really not out there to be malicious to the companies," Gosse said. "But it really has to be a trademark infringement."

The House last week approved a bill that would ban "bad faith" registration or the trafficking of domain names similar to distinctive trademarks.

If made into law, parties engaging in such practices could be subject to fines. Trademark holders would be allowed to request the cancellation of a domain name if they can prove they attempted, but failed, to locate the holder of the name. The Senate passed a similar bill in August.

The White House, however, has opposed such legislation, believing the courts are the proper venue for settling such disputes.