10/17/09 - The tenacious nature of the governor of Kentucky and his outsourced lawyers will again be at the centre of industry discussions this week as Governor Steve Beshear's attempt to confiscate 141 international domain names is once again heard in a law court.
In a notorious action that ignited international condemnation by defenders of Internet freedom last year, the Kentucky governor attempted to seize and confiscate the domain names of 141 online gambling companies, citing moral objections and a need to protect the extensive land gambling interests already approved by the state.
Initially successful in a local court, the governor's initiative was stopped in its tracks when the Interactive Media Entertainment and Gaming Association (iMEGA), the Interactive Gaming Council and a slew of Internet freedom and civil society bodies successfully appealed the case, only to have the governor appeal against the appeal.
The case will now be heard by the Kentucky State Supreme Court on the morning of October 22nd, when 15 minutes per litigant oral arguments based on prior documentary briefings will be heard by a panel of judges.
Joe Brennan Jnr., the chairman of iMEGA said recently: âWeâve been waiting for this for a long time, and weâre going to win again. From the beginning, Kentucky law has clearly supported our position, and a win in the State Supreme Court will put the final emphasis on that.â
iMEGA is represented by Jon L. Fleischaker, of Dinsmore & Shohl in Louisville, KY.
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