Metal Anarchy

According to Billboard, Slipknot have filed a lawsuit against the owner of slipknot.com. The band, who operate under slipknot1.com, accused the cybersquatter of using pay-for-click advertising that directs fans to counterfeit merch.

The complaint was made under the Anti-Cybersquatting Consumer Protection Act in an effort to reclaim the domain, which has been held by the user since 2001. The suit also includes allegations of trademark infringement and unfair competition. The band are seeking financial damages and an injunction from a judge to gain control of the domain.

The group’s lawyer Craig Reilly commented:

“The domain name was registered in an effort to profit off of plaintiff’s goodwill and to trick unsuspecting visitors — under the impression they are visiting a website owned, operated or affiliated with plaintiff — into clicking on web searches and other sponsored links. A fan of plaintiff or someone who otherwise wanted to purchase authorized Slipknot merchandise would undoubtedly visit the slipknot.com website assuming it belonged to plaintiff and then purchase the slipknot merchandise linked to on the site, causing damages to plaintiff.”