Domain dispute over 2plus2

12/15/2009

Revving up the Internet poker message board circuit, the online media and even the respected Las Vegas Sun newspaper this week is an apparent attempt to hi-jack and exploit the famous twoplustwo brand built up over more than a decade by Mason Malmouth and his Two Plus Two Publishing LLC company.

Malmouth has commenced litigation against Anthony Scocozza, Jacknames.com and poker pro Russell Aaron "Dutch" Boyd, claiming that Scocozza registered an Internet domain name that infringes on the Two Plus Two trademark and uses the phrase Two Plus Two allied to poker.

The suit specifies cybersquatting, trademark infringement, unfair competition, deceptive trade practices, and intentional interference with prospective economic advantage, and Scocozza additionally has a copyright count against him. It claims that Jacknames and Boyd registered a domain name using the phrase Two Plus Two and linked the domain to a poker strategy and gaming web site.

"Defendants' actions have disrupted or are intended to disrupt Two Plus Two’s business by, among other things, diverting web users away from Two Plus Two’s Web sites and forums," Malmouth's action asserts.

Scocozza has denied involvement with the website in question, and Boyd has claimed that the Malmouth lawsuit is without merit, and is designed to encourage him to pay him off or face a substantial legal bill defending myself against it."

Boyd, a former WSOP bracelet holder who was allegedly involved in a different payment controversy at a website unrelated to the present dispute, branded The Poker Spot.com, wrote to the Las Vegas Sun concerning the Malmouth legal action. He remarked that Malmouth "...has shown over and over that he is a bully and willing to outspend his perceived adversaries into submission.

"The lawsuit he is bringing against me is based on a domain name that he currently owns: twoplustwopoker.com. It is without merit and is designed to encourage me to pay him off or face a substantial legal bill defending myself against it."