UPDATE: Public Interest Registry Takes Counterfeit Domains Off The Web
UPDATE: Public Interest Registry Takes Counterfeit Domains Off The Web
UPDATE: Public Interest Registry Takes Counterfeit Domains Off The Web

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    I recently wrote a post about a string of counterfeit clothing websites, and how a New York District judge held the Public Interest Registry in contempt for failing to remove the counterfeit domains from its database. Just a heads-up: as of June 24th, 2011 at 9:44 AM EST, the counterfeit domain names (such as cheapnorthface.org) no longer resolve. I assume this means that PIR took action to remove the domain names from its registry, as per the judge’s stay order.

    cheapnorthface.org now
    Above: The current state of cheapnorthface.com

    So that’s that. Certainly can’t be too mad at the PIR for choosing not to appeal the contempt order – it would have no doubt been a costly and potentially ugly legal battle, not to mention that the PIR might appear to be on the side of the counterfeiters, who are not exactly sympathetic. Pick your battles, I guess. Still, considering this precedent, I can guarantee this won’t be the last time you see a court put pressure on a nonparty registry (or search engine or ISP, for that matter) in order to enforce its orders, even if they’re not 100% guaranteed legal. All the other gTLD registries involved in the North Face suit have complied with the court’s order without objection – now that the PIR has given up the fight, I have to wonder – who’s left?