You should think twice before going under the knife in a foreign country. Celebrities are winning the battle against cybersquatters. Microsoft announces iPod killer. 

We couldn't help but include this ditty as reported by the Daily Record in Scotland. The story starts with a Merseyside man with an erectile problem, a trip to Turkey to fix said issue and a neighbours garage door remote. At this point Roger Phillips, host on BBC Radio Merseyside, takes up the story with the unfortunate Scouser, who chose to air his continuing problems live on air.

Caller: I had a problem with impotence and I had an operation in Turkey and got an implant which would help.
Host: I know the sort of thing.
Caller: But what is happening now is every time my neighbour comes back in their 4 x 4, I get an erection.
Host: Good Lord.
Caller: This is embarrassing. It's a big problem.
Host: Have you been to see your doctor about it?
Caller: The problem is I had this done in Turkey, using equipment that is not known in this country. I don't like it because every time his car pulls in I can't leave the house.
Host: (Laughing) I'm afraid that it sounds funny as well. I know it's not funny for you.
Caller: It's not funny for me, Roger, when I can't leave the house because I'm walking around with a big erection.
Host: You're going to have to go and see a doctor.

With the famous Scouse sense of humour we've no way of knowing if this is a true story or not, although it's probably safe to say that the Radio Merseryside staff are pretty good at weeding out crank calls.


Both Wayne Rooney and Tom Cruise are contesting domain names before the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) in Geneva. Mr Cruise has been trying to wrestle TomCruise.com from infamous cybersquatter Jeff Burgar. Burgar has a habit of registering domains of celebrities and pointing them to his website Celebrity1000.com. Following several bouts of legal arguments WIPO came down in favour of Cruise, no doubt taking in to account the number of times Burgar has been before them in the past. However, several questions are now being asked about the arbitration process, most decisions are made with reference to past rulings rather than judging each case on its merits and the choice of panellists is flawed at best.

Rooney will hope for a similar decision as he attempts to gain control of WayneRooney.com. The current owner of the domain is Mr Huw Marshall from Wrexam, Mr Marshall also owners WayneRooney.co.uk. Most WayneRooney's have also been registered by various other individuals, even WayneRooney.org.uk has found an owner.


Microsoft has confirmed it is developing a rival to Apple's iPod portable music player. The Redmond giant has been becoming increasing frustrated as its usual business model, of developing a software framework for third party companies to build hardware around, has been unable to compete with Apple's closed, hardware, software, delivery, model. It seems hard to believe, however, that Microsoft will have any sort of major success in breaking down the Apple monopoly. With 60% of the hardware market and 75% of the music download market Apple is in a commanding position and with it's closed system has an effective defense. It also has extensive third party peripheral support. Neither the music or peripherals iPod consumers have invested in will work with Microsoft's new player giving them a huge initial bridge to climb just to reach the market, and that's assuming that it's as desirable as Apple's white wonder.

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