Windows cleaner takes Microsoft to the WIPO over domain name

Two years ago, Salim Darim Salim arrived to America with his family from Iraq; leaving behind a village destroyed by the ethnic cleansing between the supporters of Saddam Hussein and the pro-democracy forces.

Salim was lucky to have won a family visa at the annual visa lottery, an event that for many citizens of impoverished countries it’s akin to winning the jackpot.

One hot day in August 2007, Salim Darim Salim kissed his grandma’s hands and took his wife, Alife – still pregnant with his now two year old son, Mustafa – across the border with Turkey and into the nearest airport to Istanbul. From there, he was given the special family visa and was transported to the Immigration and Naturalization center in New Jersey.

Despite leaving behind a successful window-cleaning business, Salim was excited about the new life in the United States. While waiting for clearance at the center, he wrote on a piece of paper these words:

“Blessed be God and blessed be america, united state here i com!”

Within 2 months, Salim had established his business once again, with the help of distant relatives that lived in the area. Salim’s wife gave birth to their son soon after; extra assistance was pouring in while Salim’s expanded window-washing business took off by the end of 2007. It was at that time that Salim decided to name his business, “Windows 7”.

“Seven is my lucky number, we were 7 kids in my family and mother said, Salim – by the will of God your lucky number won’t desert you. I remember that 7 times my house was bombed but we all survived, including the dog and the goats. So I named business ‘Windows 7’ to honor this and my mother, God rest her soul.”

Salim wipes a sudden tear from his eye; the burly Iraqi has adjusted well to the American lifestyle – after all, business is great in America for those willing to break some sweat. He looks at the large logo on the entrance of his office, that reads “Windows 7 Server”.

“We serve America and peoples like it, we clean their windows with my cousin Ali Dudi Babaq at skyscrapers and also stores, restaurants and schools. We clean windows, is what we do, and Windows 7 is our service – we are the Windows 7 Server business, many peoples know us.”

It wasn’t until earlier this year that Salim saw an advertisement in Byte magazine, while he was browsing the top shelf at Publix for a men’s publication. The ad depicted Microsoft’s upcoming operating system, Windows 7; Salim was brought down to tears with despair.

“So I come to America and they steal my name and ideas, that’s very very bad. Very bad. I talked to my cousin Ali Dudi Babaq and he said me, Salim, we go hire lawyer and take name down. So we did, and lawyer took $2,000 for practice UDRP for name.”

In the coming weeks a decision is expected at the WIPO, with regards to the use of the domain name “Windows7.com” which according to Salim Darim Salim infringes on his business mark.

Salim wants the domain to be handed over and Microsoft corporation to compensate him.

“I had lots respect for Bill Gates, richest peoples in world, now that he gone his company doing bad things to businessmen like me. I run serious business, not bullshit. By God’s will, I take domain Windows7.com back and launch my brand there before Microsoft thieves it profit from me.”

Salim plans to ask for punitive damages of at least $2 million dollars, according to his attorney. The first step, the WIPO will determine Salim’s next move. Meanwhile, Microsoft is launching Windows 7 worldwide on October 22nd; the legal department declined to make any comments as the case is pending.

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