Yankees Fan Sued for Cyberpiracy on Christmas Eve by the Yankees for his Domain Name: NewYorkYankees.comOn December 24 the New York Yankees and Major League Baseball sued a Yankees fan in Federal court under the month old Cyberpiracy Prevention Act passed by Congress for his registration of the domain name www.newyorkyankees.com in 1997.
The fan, Brian McKiernan of Floral Park (Queens) 41 is married with three children. Under the newly enacted Cyberpiracy Prevention Act, McKiernan faces $100,000 in fines as well as tens of thousands in legal fees.
He never offered to sell the name but Steinbrenner's club offered him $450 for the name before bringing the Christmas Eve suit. McKiernan intended to build a fan web site before being threatened with litigation.
After receiving a settlement package and offered a check for $450 McKiernan contacted K. William Kyros, Boston lawyer specializing in internet cases and domain name disputes.
After Kyros was hired the Yankees withdrew the $450 offer.
The MLB and Yankees lawyers engaged in strong arm tactics. After Kyros was hired and after conversations between counsel Lawyers for MLB continued to send letters to McKiernan threatening him with litigation in violation of New York Bar Ethical Rules. They Called McKiernan's lawyer K. William Kyros on Dec. 22 and gave the client 1 Hour to surrender the name. They then filed the 23 page complaint on Dec. 24
The case is being defended against the newly enacted Cyberpiracy Prevention Act 15 US.C. § 1125(d) (1). Trademark infringement claims, among other claims.
If interested Please contact me at 617-424-1137
Bill Kyros
Law Offices of K. William Kyros, PC
bill@kyroslaw.com
http://www.kyroslaw.com