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BANGKOK--The plight of a little-known Thai Web site arose the ire of Thai Internet users over the weekend on reports US-based Internet directory giant Yahoo! had made moves to close it down. Thai Web site, Yoohhoo.com, has very little in common with the Yahoo network of directories--it doesn't look similar, has little content and does not even cover similar categories. But the apparent similarity of the name--which Yoohhoo owners claim is simply a spelling of the yoo-hoo sound people make to attract the attention of someone they know--caused Yahoo's Bangkok-based lawyers to make demands for the site to be closed down. According to a report in The Nation, the Thai Webmasters Association took up the case and wrote to Yahoo lawyers explaining that there was no basis for any lawsuit. They have not heard back from Yahoo and assume the company has dropped the case. The site's owners went public, resulting in local media reports and messages on Thai Web communities from angry Internet users accusing the Yahoo corporation of bullying a local site. Boycotts of any forthcoming Thai Yahoo Web site were threatened. A Yahoo spokesperson confirmed to Newsbytes Monday that the owners of Yoohhoo.com had been contacted. "In accordance with global trademark laws, we sent a standard letter to Yoohhoo.com in April of this year requesting that they cease the use of the name Yoohhoo," said the spokesperson. She added that Yahoo has not yet filed a lawsuit against the Thai Web site, but the company is "evaluating its options in this matter and doesn't have any further comments right now." According to speculation in Thailand, Yahoo is planning to launch its own Thai portal at www.yahoo.co.th. This is thought to be the reason for the sending of threatening lawyer letters to the operators of sites like Yoohhoo.com. |
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