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Since we last reported that Kentucky District Judge Thomas Windgate refused to dismiss the decision to block 141 Internet gambling sites, a lot of people have been reacting to the news. As it stands, the judge gave the sites 30 days to block the access of Kentucky users to their sites, otherwise they will be forced to transfer their domain names to the state of Kentucky...

The matter is very controversial. On the one hand, Governor Steve Beshear recently applauded the ruling, saying the court has validated their concern regarding illegal Internet gambling in Kentucky. On the other hand, Jeremiah Johnston, president of the Internet Commerce Association (ICA), said he was disappointed with the decision, which he considered dangerous not just for domain name investors, but also for developers, and for free speech on the Internet in general.

Governor Beshear said that “No one has been willing to step up and do anything about illegal Internet gambling until now. We must protect our people, especially our children, from this illegal and unregulated activity while also protecting our legal and regulated forms of gaming in Kentucky.”

However, Jeremiah Johnston representing the ICA expressed fears that if the logic of the decision will continue to be adopted broadly, Internet commerce and speech would be at risk on a global basis. “The remedy proposed by the court … is infeasible for individual domain names which would be subject to different laws and regulation in thousands of jurisdictions worldwide.”

As a consequence of the ruling, the Online Casino Advisory are urging people into a Kentucky Gambling Boycott. They are calling for a boycott by all gamblers, civil libertarians, and concerned protectors of the Internet of all products of Kentucky, or anything that produces Kentucky tax revenue. Taco Bell, Pizza Hut, and Kentucky Fried Chicken are all owned by Kentucky's Yum! Brands. Lexmark printers and ink cartridges are made in Kentucky. They suggest that not using these products, and writing the companies involved and letting them know how the Governor has displeased you may be helpful in overturning the ruling.

Because the Kentucky case may set a precedent for Internet censorship reaching far beyond gambling boundaries, it is important for us to reflect on the meaning of this ruling. We will post a follow up article shortly with various opinions about the subject, including that of  Xavier Buck, CEO of EuroDNS.

Source: DomainNews.com on October 22nd, 2008 - Posted by Roland G. Buck - Chief Editor