| Journal: TWUK | Section: |
| Title: | Issue Date: 06/11/00 |
| Author: | Page Number: 2 |
| Copyright: Other |
Lastminute.com takes action on domain names
LASTMINUTE.COMis threatening a London-based agent with legal action unless it stops using the term ‘lastminute’ to promote its car hire and travel insurance services.
Barnes-based World of Travel launched lastminute-car-hire.com and lastminute-travelinsurance.com after registering the domain names in March.
But lastminute.com claims that World of Travel made the move at the height of publicity during its stock market float and is trying to take financial advantage.
It is also using the same colour of magenta on its site, a move that could mislead customers into thinking the sites are linked.
Asolicitor’s letter sent last month gives World of Travel until close of business on November 10 to stop using the domain names.
A spokesman for lastminute.com confirmed the matter was in the hands of solicitors.
World of Travel managing director Barry Herbert said: “The sites clearly say World of Travel.com at the top so there is no way you can say we are trying to pass ourselves off as them.”
Herbert also plans to launch a flight Internet site after buying the domain name lastminute-air-travel.com earlier this year.