News analysis

Summary: A US Judge has ordered Google, Yahoo, Twitter and Facebook, among others, to delist domain names linked to websites that have been selling counterfeit goods. The case was brought by luxury goods maker Chanel against 600 sites which it had identified as trading in counterfeits. Chanel's counterfeit investigative team identified the websites by ordering goods from them which it then determined to be fakes. Many experts were surprised at the scope of the Nevada judge's ruling.US firm Go Daddy, which manages around 45 million domain names around the world, has been given control of the web addresses of the 600 firms. It has been told to ensure that none of the sites can be accessed by the public. Other questions also came up concerning, how much jurisdiction the court would have over domains that had been registered outside of the US. Google said that it had no comment to make at this stage because it was yet to be served with the judgement. Facebook said was looking into the matter.

Analysis: The market for fake goods is a massive one specially in countries such as China, Thailand, Nepal etc. The selling of fake goods or piracy is a massive problem for many giant corporations around the world. Numerous companies such as software giants Microsoft and Adobe lose up to seven billion dollars yearly just because of piracy. The selling of fake goods is not only bad for companies such as channel directly but also because the brand name and image of the company is greatly depreciated. If most people in the streets are wearing channel or any other top brand for that matter, those who can actually afford to buy products from such brands will stop. The selling of fake items, from movies and games to perfumes and bags is a great catastrophe that modern companies face these days. Quite honestly, I will continue to buy fake movies, software and games as long as I can simply because it is much cheaper. I think these computer giants make enough as it is and another wasted copy will not affect them.

Vocabulary – Intermediaries

- It is acknowledged that third party intermediaries are best placed to tackle online

- an intermediate agent or agency; a go-between or mediator

- 1785–95; < Late Latin intermedi ( um ) intervening place + -ary;see intermediate¹

- Sainyam was unable to attend the STUCO meeting himself, so he sent Namsey as his intermediary

Vocabulary – Jurisdiction

- Others have questioned how much jurisdiction the court would have over domains

- the right, power, or authority to administer justice byhearing and determining controversies.

- 1250–1300; Middle English < Latin jūris dictiōn- stem of jūris dictiō (see jus, diction);

- The Woodstock Honour Council gave the jurisdiction that my friend had to be suspended for his minor crime.

Vocabulary – Counterfeit

- 600 sites which it had identified as trading in counterfeits.

- made in imitation so as to be passed off fraudulently or deceptively as genuine;

- 1250–1300; (adj.) Middle English countrefet false,

- In Woodstock history few students have ever successfully counterfeited health centre notes and gotten away with it.