Kentucky Grabs Mortgage Domains
By Alan on Oct 22, 2008 in Legal | 4 Comments
BoycottKentucky.com – is live and it’s not a joke.
The actions by the Kentucky Governor to try and take domains from various domain owners is no laughing matter. His timing could not be any better with the presidential election headlining all the news but regardless of who wins the election this decision will last for a while – possibly longer than any of the two candidates employment.
Has the governor tried to grab mortgage domains? Not yet, but I did want to give some examples to hopefully heat up some people and remember – I am not a lawyer so if I’m wrong here somebody who is an attorney please correct me.
If the court rules in favor of the governor their decision is NOT limited to gambling domains. How does this affect you?
1.) Do you run a mortgage lead generation site but do not have a mortgage license? Somewhere, in some state, providing financial advice must be illegal therefore the government could request to take your domain.
2.) Do you offer stock and financial opinions? Not licensed as a financial advisor – again, government has a precedent to ask for your domain.
3.) Are you selling aftermarket tickets to sporting events, concerts etc? Brokering tickets for more than face value is illegal in many states – and again, the government can request your name.
This case is probably the biggest case the industry has seen to date. There is no time for Kentucky jokes here because the governor will be the one laughing how Kentucky laid the law for the government to rule the internet.
The USA is not the internet, Kentucky is not the internet – the WORLD is the internet and no US court should have the power to do this so boycotting is not enough, call your senator or congressman – do something, you can bet I am.

Rob Sequin | Oct 23, 2008 | Reply
Actually I find it interesting that this hasn’t happened already for porn, financials, real estate etc.
So, let’s hope this action turns out to be a great thing when it’s all done.
Jay Lohmann | Oct 25, 2008 | Reply
Alan,
Just stumbled on your blog and in reading, you have some very nice posts and make great points – especially this one. HOW the Kentucky Governor got away with this is beyond me, but you are right, if successful, it could open the flood gates to similar action by other states. Per your “licensing”point, I would think that certain MEDICAL, LAW, and a host of other “licensed professional” domains would be targeted. I’ve signed the petition at BoycottKentucky.com. You might consider posting a directly link. Domainers should stand up, send a message and protect the outskirts of their industry.
Look forward to reading more of your posts.
Jay Lohmann
http://www.InvestInURLs.com