Mashantucket Pequots take Web site owner to court

A Connecticut Indian tribe says a Web site operated by a Massachusetts man is confusing Internet surfers looking for their casinos home page.

The Mashantucket Pequots have filed a federal lawsuit against Raymond Redican of Dracut, accusing him of violating their trademark with his site http://www.foxwood.com.

The casinos Web site is http://www.foxwoods.com.

A judge in U-S District Court did not immediately rule on the case.

Redican is refusing to give up the domain name without compensation. An attorney for the tribe says Redican once asked for nearly 20 (m) million dollars for the sites name.

Foxwoods officials say Internet commerce has become important for the casino, as more customers use the Web to make reservations.

Redican registered his Web site in 1997, which promotes advertisers in exchange for commissions.
2005-08-12