# Ron Paul Wants RonPaul.com so badly he's going to the UN **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [February 10, 2013, 5:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ron-paul-wants-ronpaul-com-so-badly-hes-going-to-the-un/649854 "2013-02-10T05:29:53Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![tomndebb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b9e5f3/32.png) [@tomndebb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tomndebb)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2013, 11:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ron-paul-wants-ronpaul-com-so-badly-hes-going-to-the-un/649854/41 "2013-02-10T23:00:36Z")
> [@newcomer](#): > > Please, elaborate as I’m now really confused. > . . . > But, of course I’m the one who’s disingenuous :rolleyes: He gets the benefit of four and a half years of accumulated bookmarks and all the points racked up in the Google algorithm and you are "confused? You are also disingenuous. ---
**Author:** ![Napier](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ce73a5/32.png) [@Napier](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Napier)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2013, 11:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ron-paul-wants-ronpaul-com-so-badly-hes-going-to-the-un/649854/42 "2013-02-10T23:04:55Z")
> [@Ibn\_Warraq](#): > > Ron Paul apparently just realized that he’d never secured either [RonPaul.com](http://RonPaul.com) or [RonPaul.org](http://RonPaul.org) and he’s now trying to wrest away control of those domains from some of his fans who’d set up fan sites promoting his beliefs. He has now apparently filed an appeal with the World Intellectual Property Organization, "a global governing body that is an agency of the United Nations” to “expropriate the two domain names from his supporters without compensation.” After rejecting an offer to give him [RonPaul.Org](http://RonPaul.Org) as a gift while keeping [RonPaul.com](http://RonPaul.com) and an additional offer to let him buy the sites and the email list for $250,000. > > Personally, I think this is immensely hypocritical, but I’d love to hear if others disagree. I am immensely pleased he is working on this and think it is a fine thing for him to spend his time and attention on. ---
**Author:** ![newcomer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/e5b9ba/32.png) [@newcomer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/newcomer)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2013, 11:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ron-paul-wants-ronpaul-com-so-badly-hes-going-to-the-un/649854/43 "2013-02-10T23:15:25Z")
> [@tomndebb](#): > > He gets the benefit of four and a half years of accumulated bookmarks and all the points racked up in the Google algorithm and you are "confused? > > You are also disingenuous. Sounds like moving the goalposts to me. A very tiny goalposts at that. However, if you can cite a well-known person who had a complaint about the domain name and paid for that I’ll admit I am indeed disingenuous. ---
**Author:** ![tomndebb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b9e5f3/32.png) [@tomndebb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tomndebb)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2013, 11:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ron-paul-wants-ronpaul-com-so-badly-hes-going-to-the-un/649854/44 "2013-02-10T23:37:39Z")
> [@newcomer](#): > > Sounds like moving the goalposts to me. A very tiny goalposts at that. > > However, if you can cite a well-known person who had a complaint about the domain name and paid for that I’ll admit I am indeed disingenuous. I responded only to the post I quoted. That was disingenuous claiming that the current owners had none nothing that could be construed as “work” to which they should claim compensation. The value is certainly up for discussion–I have made no claim that they are owed hundreds of thousands of dollars–but your claim was wrong. As to whether you are willing to admit it? Not my problem. ---
**Author:** ![Gorsnak](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gorsnak/32/7587_2.png) [@Gorsnak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gorsnak)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2013, 12:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ron-paul-wants-ronpaul-com-so-badly-hes-going-to-the-un/649854/45 "2013-02-11T00:04:10Z")
> [@newcomer](#): > > They should at least have a full disclosure page (e.g. About) in which they make that distinction (as many other “fan” sites do) so I’d believe that they misled many people. You mean like having this: > [@](#): > > This site is run by independent grassroots supporters of Ron Paul. as one of the only bits of content on their homepage? ---
**Author:** ![Peremensoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ce7236/32.png) [@Peremensoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peremensoe)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2013, 12:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ron-paul-wants-ronpaul-com-so-badly-hes-going-to-the-un/649854/46 "2013-02-11T00:12:23Z")
> [@newcomer](#): > > However, it is delightful to read many entries of so called 'Straight Dope" types throwing all the logic and reason out just so that can pile on Ron. I’m sorry to see him take this course. ---
**Author:** ![newcomer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/e5b9ba/32.png) [@newcomer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/newcomer)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2013, 12:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ron-paul-wants-ronpaul-com-so-badly-hes-going-to-the-un/649854/47 "2013-02-11T00:24:15Z")
> [@Gorsnak](#): > > You mean like having this: > > as one of the only bits of content on their homepage? Okay. I stand corrected. ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2013, 1:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ron-paul-wants-ronpaul-com-so-badly-hes-going-to-the-un/649854/48 "2013-02-11T01:14:58Z")
> [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](#): > > Doesn’t the US Code provision also allow arbitration? U.S. law in general permits agreements for private arbitration. But it’s not specifically part of the anti-cybersquatting statute. ---
**Author:** ![BobLibDem](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/boblibdem/32/3149_2.png) [@BobLibDem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobLibDem)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2013, 1:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ron-paul-wants-ronpaul-com-so-badly-hes-going-to-the-un/649854/49 "2013-02-11T13:36:29Z")
Haw haw! Instead of looking for the free market resolution, he appeals to government remedies. Government sucks, unless I want it for something. True fucking libertarian to the core. ---
**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2013, 1:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ron-paul-wants-ronpaul-com-so-badly-hes-going-to-the-un/649854/50 "2013-02-11T13:43:57Z")
He wants to sell t-shirts & coffee mugs \ ---
**Author:** ![zweisamkeit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zweisamkeit/32/4360_2.png) [@zweisamkeit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zweisamkeit)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2013, 3:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ron-paul-wants-ronpaul-com-so-badly-hes-going-to-the-un/649854/51 "2013-02-11T15:07:39Z")
> [@newcomer](#): > > Okay. I stand corrected. Golly! One might think someone arguing a position such as yours would at least give the website in question a cursory glance before commencing with the digging-in of heels. Also: what would your position be if [ronpaul.com](http://ronpaul.com) was owned and used by some actuary in Dubuque who also has the name of Ron Paul? Would it change? Would there be a difference if Dubuque RP used the site as, say, a homepage to post family photos and cute stories versus if he was rabidly anti-Libertarian and ranted about how it and Politician RP sucks (_while making it expressly clear that he/the site has no affiliation or connection to Political RP and that he is a real person who is also named Ron Paul_)? ---
**Author:** ![Amateur\_Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/59ef9b/32.png) [@Amateur\_Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Amateur_Barbarian)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2013, 3:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ron-paul-wants-ronpaul-com-so-badly-hes-going-to-the-un/649854/52 "2013-02-11T15:17:02Z")
> [@zweisamkeit](#): > > Golly! One might think someone arguing a position such as yours would at least give the website in question a cursory glance before commencing with the digging-in of heels. **newc** ’s a Libertarian. He’s not interested in facts. ---
**Author:** ![Agent\_Foxtrot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9fc29f/32.png) [@Agent\_Foxtrot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Agent_Foxtrot)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2013, 3:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ron-paul-wants-ronpaul-com-so-badly-hes-going-to-the-un/649854/53 "2013-02-11T15:24:35Z")
I always felt in my gut that Ron Paul was a phony and a hypocrite. I’m glad I was right. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2013, 4:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ron-paul-wants-ronpaul-com-so-badly-hes-going-to-the-un/649854/54 "2013-02-11T16:14:10Z")
> [@NitroPress](#): > > **newc** ’s a Libertarian. He’s not interested in facts. No personal insults in this forum, thank you. ---
**Author:** ![newcomer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/e5b9ba/32.png) [@newcomer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/newcomer)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2013, 4:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ron-paul-wants-ronpaul-com-so-badly-hes-going-to-the-un/649854/55 "2013-02-11T16:21:35Z")
> [@zweisamkeit](#): > > Golly! One might think someone arguing a position such as yours would at least give the website in question a cursory glance before commencing with the digging-in of heels. I was corrected on my suggestion that many people flocked to the site because they thought it was in control of Ron Paul. **That fact still has no bearing on his right to ask for domain name to be handed over**. I wish the disclosure was more prominent but it is what it is. > [@zweisamkeit](#): > > Also: what would your position be if [ronpaul.com](http://ronpaul.com) was owned and used by some actuary in Dubuque who also has the name of Ron Paul? Would it change? Would there be a difference if Dubuque RP used the site as, say, a homepage to post family photos and cute stories versus if he was rabidly anti-Libertarian and ranted about how it and Politician RP sucks (_while making it expressly clear that he/the site has no affiliation or connection to Political RP and that he is a real person who is also named Ron Paul_)? That would be up to a panel to resolve but I think that other person with the same name would be able to keep it if there was no reference to the other one. Actually, if you analyze that domain name history prior to 2008 it was owned by a guy with the same name but he was in a different business and there was no picture of the Ron Paul that we discuss here so there was no way that anyone would be confused. Then someone bought it from him, filled-it up with Ron Paul stuff (quotes, speeches, blog, pictures) to make a buck off his image. Are you really that bent on outrage that you will deny someone preventing people from using his likeness to sell t-shirts? ---
**Author:** ![Amateur\_Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/59ef9b/32.png) [@Amateur\_Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Amateur_Barbarian)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2013, 4:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ron-paul-wants-ronpaul-com-so-badly-hes-going-to-the-un/649854/56 "2013-02-11T16:22:07Z")
If you want to call it a personal insult, I’ll defer, but that wasn’t the intent. I’ll maintain that he’s established a solid basis for both statements. He’s arguing his opinions and brushing aside facts to support a straight Libertarian position. ---
**Author:** ![newcomer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/e5b9ba/32.png) [@newcomer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/newcomer)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2013, 4:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ron-paul-wants-ronpaul-com-so-badly-hes-going-to-the-un/649854/57 "2013-02-11T16:24:08Z")
> [@NitroPress](#): > > **newc** ’s a Libertarian. He’s not interested in facts. I still think that you are embedding personal feeling about the man based on his media created distorted image and you are just venting on someone you feel you actually can with no consequences. On top of that, you still haven’t demonstrated the grasp of the issue so your silly little quips are just lame. ---
**Author:** ![newcomer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/e5b9ba/32.png) [@newcomer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/newcomer)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2013, 4:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ron-paul-wants-ronpaul-com-so-badly-hes-going-to-the-un/649854/58 "2013-02-11T16:39:07Z")
> [@NitroPress](#): > > He’s arguing his opinions and brushing aside facts to support a straight Libertarian position. What the heck are you blabbering about? It’s simple so please focus on the question- does Ron Paul have a right to be handed over ownership of the domain [www.ronpaul.com](http://www.ronpaul.com) as many other celebrities and/or politicos do in case when someone else is using well-known person likeness for personal gain? Everything else, including Google algorithm ranking BS because it was built on his image for someone else, is secondary. Simple yes or no will suffice. ---
**Author:** ![Amateur\_Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/59ef9b/32.png) [@Amateur\_Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Amateur_Barbarian)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2013, 4:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ron-paul-wants-ronpaul-com-so-badly-hes-going-to-the-un/649854/59 "2013-02-11T16:41:59Z")
> [@newcomer](#): > > I still think that you are embedding personal feeling about the man based on his media created distorted image and you are just venting on someone you feel you actually can with no consequences. I have spent some thirty years in a field overrun by Libertarian thinking of every level, and I have learned to despise it pointillist fashion - dot by dot. Paul brought nothing new to the game except a certain notoriety, and I have yet to engage a supporter who can do anything but parrot canned phrases and exhibit the deepest possible misunderstanding of how the sociopolitical world works. > [@](#): > > On top of that, you still haven’t demonstrated the grasp of the issue so your silly little quips are just lame. I am the one person who has stepped into this thread with inside and hands-on knowledge of holding a big-name domain name and engaging the presumptive “owners” regarding it. You, on the other hand, appear to have pulled every post from a dark void and haven’t had a clue about the nature of the parties involved, the site itself, or even your own examples. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2013, 4:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ron-paul-wants-ronpaul-com-so-badly-hes-going-to-the-un/649854/60 "2013-02-11T16:45:36Z")
> [@newcomer](#): > > What the heck are you blabbering about? > > It’s simple so please focus on the question- does Ron Paul have a right to be handed over ownership of the domain [www.ronpaul.com](http://www.ronpaul.com) as many other celebrities and/or politicos do in case when someone else is using well-known person likeness for personal gain? > > Everything else, including Google algorithm ranking BS because it was built on his image for someone else, is secondary. > > Simple yes or no will suffice. No, it won’t. 1. Was it clear on their website that it wasn’t his personal website? 2. Can it be shown that they profitted to his detriment? 3. Can it be shown that they made any profit at all? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ron-paul-wants-ronpaul-com-so-badly-hes-going-to-the-un/649854.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ron-paul-wants-ronpaul-com-so-badly-hes-going-to-the-un/649854.md?page=4)