Monty Roberts-WIPO Case

Around the year 2000, after the hoopla of the book against Monty Roberts was published and the lawsuit against him had to be dropped due to judicial misconduct, two domain names were  registered using Monty Roberts' name for the sole purpose of disseminating information about his lies and deceit (montyroberts.org / montyroberts.net), an action which the registrants had every right to do legally and morally.

They were registered on behalf of all parties who were victims of Monty Roberts and of course to report about the book his own relatives had written. The book was written by his aunt, a cousin and his own brother Larry Roberts contributed extensive information.  It was a very well researched book. (visit home page for the Horse Whispers and Lies book review)

Monty Roberts didn't like that so he used his wealth and celebrity to fight the domain registration and won.  The international organization (WIPO) which controls domain names had a sole arbitrator decide the case.  Of all the people in the world they could have chosen to make a decision, the arbitrator came from Monty Roberts' neck of the woods.  In his decision, the arbitrator who was too stupid to understand the concept of irony, satire and puns, accused the registrant of selling items and abusing the system, neither of which was true. 

On the internet today, you can find thousands of domain disputes, some winners, some losers.  You'll also find many bloggers and legal information sites ripping at the WIPO stating that the organization is prone to stealing from legitimate domain name registrants and giving the domain names to celebrities or other people/organizations with money.  That is precisely what happened in the Monty Roberts WIPO case.

The WIPO decision was NOT a court case as some would have you believe.  NO ONE was on trial.  The only losers were all of Monty Roberts victims.  Monty Roberts Fraud Author Listing.