Rick Bolanos (photo)
Congressional District 23 candidate
By Elizabeth White
Associated Press
SAN ANTONIO — Rick Bolanos, the Democratic candidate for Congress, filed a lawsuit today alleging U.S. Rep. Henry Bonilla's campaign illegally bought at least a dozen Web sites Bolanos would have used for his campaign's online site.
Bolanos told reporters that his opponent's campaign is "cybersquatting" in violation of a U.S. statute in an attempt to hurt Bolanos' campaign by making it appear Bolanos does not have a working site.
"He's taken our laws and he's become a part of that corruption," Bolanos said of Bonilla, R-San Antonio. "It's a win-at-all-costs, do-whatever-you-can-to-win-a-political-campaign."
The suit names Bonilla and his campaign treasurer, Jill DeYoung. It lists 12 Web sites that are variations on the terms Rick, Bolanos, 2006 and for Congress. A search for each of the Web sites redirects the viewer to http://www.bolanos2006.com, a page featuring a black and white background and text that reads: "coming soon — information for the benefit of voters in the 23rd Congressional District."
Bolanos said the Bonilla campaign is seeking to profit from the cybersquatting actions by keeping Bonilla in Congress and DeYoung on his payroll. "Defendants also seek to diminish the goodwill associated with Plaintiff's name, by misdirecting the voters of the 23rd Congressional District away from Plaintiff, when they seek information concerning Plaintiff's bid to unseat Henry Bonilla," the suit read.
Bolanos is seeking $1 million in damages, which he said he would give to charity. Bolanos' campaign Web site is http://www.rickbolanosfortexas.com.
And this is newsworthy now because...?
ReplyDeleteThis "cybersquatting" was reported by the SA Excess-News in March 2006. Balanos waited over 6 months until 30 days before the election to file the suit?
Sounds like he wanted to wait until near the election to get the headlines, instead of actually trying to recover "damages". It seems that his campaign never got rolling to be untracked and damaged by losing some website name options.
Now, if he had sued back in March or April... maybe I would be more sympathetic.
Cybersquatting to wipe out Democrats! What can you expect from Republicans with deep pockets and friends of Dick Cheney?
ReplyDeleteAs for the timing of the lawsuit, I'm not so sure how long it takes to research and properly prepare for a lawsuit to be filed. I fail to see what advantage Bolanos would have politically by waiting as late as 30 days until the general election before filing his lawsuit against Bonilla, a case that wouldn't even be heard, much less decided, before the election.
I wish Bolanos well for a favorable decision for him in his lawsuit!
I agree with the "what do you expect from Republicans" comment.
ReplyDeleteBut, if there is no political advantage, then why is it posted here? Why issue a press release on campaign letterhead?
I agree this case won't be decided before Nov. 7, but 6 months to research? Then I guess that his lawyers and assistants are as active as his treasurer. It should not take a good attorney that long to prepare for and file the proper paperwork to address this type of issue, given the obviousness of it.
Rick should win the lawsuit, but again, if there is no political advantage or political motivation, why are we even commenting?