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THE HONORABLE RONALD B. LEIGHTON

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

WESTERN DISTRICT OF WASHINGTON

AT TACOMA

THE NEIMAN MARCUS GROUP, INC.;

BERGDORF GOODMAN, INC.;

AND NM NEVADA TRUST. NO. C06-5292R8L

DECLARATION OF DAVID J. STEELE

IN SUPPORT OF PLAINTIFFS'

MOTION FOR PRELIMINARY

INJUNCTION

Plaintiffs,

vs.

DOTSTER, INC. A/K/A REVENUEDIRECT;

REGISTRARADS, INC.; AND SCOTT FISH,

Defendants.

DECLARATION OF DA\TD J. STEELE

I, David J. Steele, declare as follows:

1. I am an attomey with the law firm of Christie, Parker & Hale, LLP, counsel of

record for Plaintiffs The Neiman Marcus Group, Inc., Bergdorf Goodman, Inc. and NM Nevada

Trust (collectively, "Plaintiffs). The matters set fofih below are of my personal knowledge and,

if called as a witness, Iwould testifi competently to each of the following facts.

2. In October 2006, I prepared a list of some of the domain names registered by

Defendants which are identical or confusingly similar to the famous trade names, trademarks and

DECLARATION OF DAVID J. STEELE

IN SUPPORT OF PLAINTIFFS' MOTION FOR

PRELIMINARY INJUNCTION- I

Perkins Coie lup

I 120 NW Couch Street, 106 Floor

Portland, Oregon 97209

Phone: (503) 727-2000

Fax: (503) 727 -2222

Case 3:06-cv-05292-RBL Document 27 Filed 12/12/06 Page 1 of 8
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service marks NEIMAN-MARCUS, NEIMAN MARCUS and BERGDORF GOODMAN

(collectively, "Plaintiffs' Famous Marks"). The list included the following 34 domain names:

1. bergdorfgoddman.com

2. bergdorfgoodmon.com

3. bergdorfgoogman.com

4. bergerdorfgoodman.com

5. bergmangoodman.com

6. borgdorfgoodman.com

7. ernanmarcus.com

8. marcusneimen.com

9. neamannmarcus.com

10. nehmanmarcus.com

11. nehminmarcus.com

12. neimanmaracus.com

I 3. neimanmarcurs.com

14. neimanmarcuse.com

I 5. neimanmarcuslastchance.com

16. neimanmarisu.com

17. neimanmarqus.com

DECLARATION OF DAVID J, STEELE

IN SUPPORT OF PLAINTIFFS' MOTION FOR

PRELIMINARY INJUNCTION. 2

18. neimanns.com

19. neimanscatalog.com

20. neimansjewlery.com

21. neimenmanm.com

22. neimumarcus.com

23. nelmanmarcus.com

24. nemammarcus.com

25. nemimarcus.com

26. nemirmmarcus.com

27. nemninmarcus.com

28. neumanmarcos.com

29. neumenma.rcus.com

30. newmenmarcus.com

31. nhminmarcus.com

32. niemanstores.com

33. ninemmarcus.com

34. niumanmarcus.com

3. I obtained the whois data for many of these domain names from the .com registry

operator, and where available from the registrar, Dotster. For many of these confusingly similar

domain names, Dotster fails to provide any whois data. For other confusingly similar domain

names, Doster merely lists the registrant as "c/o the domain name" and does not list the name of

the registrant. Whois data for many of these domain names (or, more accurately, the lack of

whois data) is attached to Plaintiffs' First Amended and Supplemental Complaint as Exhibit 8,

and is attached to this Declaration as Exhibit 1. The statement "No match for [domain name]"

reflects the absence of any information regarding the name or address of the registrant of the

domain name.

4. In support of Plaintiffs' Original Complaint, I prepared a list of some of the

domain names registered by Defendants which are identical or confusingly similar to other

famous marks. Because of the large number of these domain names, I only included one famous

mark for each letter of the alphabet (i.e., Abercrombie and Fitch, Bally's Total Fitness, Cingular

Perkins Coie rlr

1 120 NW Couch Street, 10h Floor

Portland, Oregon 97209

Phone: (503)727-2000

Fax: (503)727-2222

Case 3:06-cv-05292-RBL Document 27 Filed 12/12/06 Page 2 of 8
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Wireless, Disney, Expedia, etc.). This list of infringing domain names, which includes almost

one thousand names, is attached to Plaintiffs' Original Complaint as Exhibit 6, and is attached to

this Declaration as Exhibit 2.

5. In support of Plaintiffs' Original Complaint, I viewed numerous websites

available at domain names registered by Defendants which are confusingly similar to Plaintiffs'

Famous Marks. Defendants hosted websites at most of these domain names which (1) displayed

links featuring goods or services directly competitive with those sold or provided by Plaintiffs, a

link that read "Offer to Buy This Domain," and (2) displayed pop-up advertisements. Clicking on

the link that read "Offer to Buy This Domain" created an email addressed to

domains@gmail.com. I prepared screen shots of each website and pop-up advertisement

displayed. These screen shots were attached to Plaintiffs' Original Complaint as Exhibit 9 and

Exhibit 10, and are attached to this Declaration as Exhibit 3 and Exhibit 4.

6. In March 2006, two domain names owned by Defendants -- garacey.com and

bergmangoodman.com -- were purchased. The purchaser corresponded by email with the seller,

Defendant Scott Fish ("Fish"), an employee of Dotster. After receiving the initial email sent to

the domains@gmail.com address, Fish then used the email address domains@revenuedirect.com.

Copies of the correspondence regarding the purchase of garacey.com and bergmangoodman.com

are attached to this Declaration as Exhibit 5 and Exhibit 6, respectively.

7 . Fish insfucted that payments for the sale of the domain names could be sent via

paypal or that a check could be made payable to "DOMAIN REGISTRATION" and sent to Fish

at 8100 NE Parkrvay Drive, Suite 300, Vancouver, Washington 98662, which is the same address

as Dotster. Although the check was made payable to DOMAIN REGISTRATION, the check was

stamped with Dotster's banking stamp, including Dotster's bank account number, and deposited

into Dotster's account. A copy ofone payment check, with Dotster's account number redacted, is

attached to this Declaration as Exhibit 7.

DECLARATION OF DAVID J. STEELE

IN SUPPORT OF PLAINTIFFS'MOTION FOR

PRELIMINARY INJUNCTION- 2

Perkins Coie r"lp

I 1 20 NW Couch Street, I 0e Floor

Portland, Oregon 97209

Phone: (503) 727-2000

Fax: (503) 727-2222

Case 3:06-cv-05292-RBL Document 27 Filed 12/12/06 Page 3 of 8
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8. On January 21,2006,I wrote an email to Defendants' legal counsel, Ravi Puri,

and informed him that Defendants' registration of neimanmarqus.com infringed The Neiman

Marcus Group, Inc.'s rights. in the NEIMAN MARCUS mark. A copy of the January 2l,2006

email is attached to this Declaration as Exhibit 8.

9' on January 22, 2006, Mr. Puri replied to my email and (a) acknowledged rhe

Neiman Marcus Group, Inc.'s trademark rights and (b) agreed to delete or transfer the

neimanmarqus.com domain name to Plaintiffs. A copy of the January 22,2006 ernail is attached

to this Declaration as Exhibit 9.

10. On January 23, 2006, Mr. Puri, in response to my questions, informed me by

email that Dotster was not the registrant of the neimanmarqus.com domain name and that Dotster

did not know the identity of the registrant. Mr. Puri's statement is inaccurate and misleadins. A

copy of the January 23,2006 email is attached to this Declaration as Exhibit l0

I I . After receiving notice on January 22, 2006, of rhe Neiman Marcus Group, Inc.'s

trademark rights, Defendants continued registering or renewing domain names confusingly

similar to those famous marks, including neamannmarcus.com; neimanmaracus.com;

neimanmarcuse.com; neimanmarcuslastchance.com; neimanmarisu.com; neimanns.com;

neimansjewelry.com; nemaurmarcus.com; nemninmarcus.com; neumanmarcos.com;

neumenmarcos.com; newmenmarcus.com; ninemmarcus.com; and emanmarcus.com.

12' After being served witlr Plaintiffs' original complaint on June l, 2006,

Defendants continued registering domain names which are confusingly similar to Plaintiffs'

Famous Marks. For exampleo on October 13,2006, Defendants registered neimanscatalog.com

and niemanstores.com.

13. After being serrred with Plaintiffs' original complaint on June l, 2006,

Defendants also continued registering domain names which are confusingly similar to the

famous marks listed in Exhibit 6 of Plaintiffs'Complaint (i.e., Abercrombie and Fitch, Bally's

DECLARATION OF DAVID J. STEELE

IN STJPPORT OF PLAINTIFFS'MOTION FOR

PRELIMINARY INJUNCTION- 3

Perklns Coie llp

I 120 NW Couch Street, 10s Floor

Portland, Oregon 97209

Phone: (503) 727 -20OO

Fax: (503) 727-2222

Case 3:06-cv-05292-RBL Document 27 Filed 12/12/06 Page 4 of 8
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Total Fitness, Cingular Wireless Disney, Expedia, etc.). The following is a list of domain names

registered or renewed by Defendants, after receiving service of Plaintiffs' Original Complaint:

aberconbiandficth.com

abercrumbieandfi nch. com

ballyhealthspa.com

ballynutrient.com

disneyblockoutdates.com

disneycampground.com

disneychammle.com

disneychanelchanel.com

disneychanelsohotsummer. com

disneychannelauditions.com

disneychannelfathersday. com

disneychannelhotsummer.com

disneychannelnnel. com

disneychannelsohotsummer. com

disneychannel-sohotsummer.com

disneychannelssohotsummer. com

disneyfireworks.com

disneylandcaliforniaadventures. com

disneylandcruises.com

disneylandland.com

disneypomcollection.com

disneyprencess.com

disneysgrandcaliforniahotel. com

disneysohotsummer.com

disneyworldcampgrounds. com

expedee.com

expediance.com

google-satellite.com

goo glesexoffender. com

googletrace.com

jcp-photo.com

marriop.com

marriotcouryard.com

neimanscatalog.com

niemanstores.com

playboymanshen.com

randmcannly.com

searsesenfial.com

searsphot.com

searsphotgraphy.com

DECLARATION OF DAVID J. STEELE

IN SUPPORT OF PLAINTIFFS' MOTION FOR

PRELIMINARY ]NJUNCTION- 4

Perkins Coie llp

I 120 NW Couch Street. 10' Floor

Portland, Oregon 97209

Phone: (503) 727-2000

Fax: (503) 727-2222

Case 3:06-cv-05292-RBL Document 27 Filed 12/12/06 Page 5 of 8
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searspicfurestudio.com

searsscratchanddent. com

toyotaofnorthampton. com

toyotarentals.com

toyotasoutheast.com

unitediar.com

walmartdistributioncenters. com

walmartexpress.com

xmdelphi.com

xmsatliteradio.com

Copies of the regisby whois data for each domain name is attached to this Declaration as Exhibit

11. Registry whois data for .com domain names does not contain the contact data typically

provided by the registrar.

14. As of October and November 2006, Defendants failed to provide any whois data

for many of the domaiq names they registered. Copies of the registry and registrar whois data for

some of the domain names which Defendants failed to provide any whois data for are attached to

this Declaration as Exhibit 12.

15. For many of the domain names Defendants registered, Dotster merely lists the

registrant as "c/o the domain name" and does not list the actual name of the registrant. A copy of

the registry and registrar whois data for ballyhealthspa.com, one such example, is attached to this

Declaration as Exhibit 13.

16. I was advised by counsel for Defendants Dotster and Scott Fish, Vincent V.

Carissimi, that "RegistrarAds, Inc." was the affiliate for whom Dotster registered the domain

names listed in the Complaint.

17. On December 8,2006, I printed sections 3.3.1.6 and 3.3.1.7 from tl're Registrar

Accreditation Agreement, which was available at http://www.icann.org/registraryra-agreementI 7may01 .htm. Copies of both sections are attached to this Declaration as Exhibit 14.

DECLARATION OF DAVID J. STEELE

IN SI,'PPORT OF PLAINTIFFS' MOTION FOR

PRELIMINARY INJUNCTION. 5

Perkins Coie llp

l12O NW Couch Street. 106 Floor

Portland, Oregon97209

Phone: (503) 727-2000

Fax: (503)727-2222

Case 3:06-cv-05292-RBL Document 27 Filed 12/12/06 Page 6 of 8
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I declare under penalty of perjury under the laws of the United States that the foregoing is

true and correct.

Executed on December 8, 2006.

DECLARATION OF DAVID J. STEELE

IN SUPPORT OF PLAINTIFFS'MOTION FOR

PRELIMINARY INJUNCTION. 6

Perkins Coie llp

I 120 NW Couch Street, 10s Floor

Podland, Oregon 97209

Phone: (503) 727-2000

Fax: (503)727-2222

Case 3:06-cv-05292-RBL Document 27 Filed 12/12/06 Page 7 of 8
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CERTIF'ICATE OF SERVICE

On December 12,2006,I caused to be served upon counsel of record, at the addresstated

below, via the method of service indicated, a true and correct copy of the following documents:

DECLARATION OF DAVID J. STEELE IN STJPPORT OF PLAINTIF'FS'

MOTION FOR PRELIMINARY INJUNCTION

Jamie C. Clausen

COZEN O'CONNOR

l20l Thtud Avenue, Suite 5200

Seattle, Washington 98101

Attomeys for Defendants

Robert W. Hayes

COZEN O'CONNOR

1900 Market Street

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19103

Attorneys for Defendants

Vincent V. Carissimi

Michael J. Leonard

PEPPERIIAMILTON LLP

3000 Two Logan Square

Eighteenth and Arch Streets

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19103-2799

Attornevs for Defendants

CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE _ I

6l2l l-0001/LEGAIl288338l. I

Via hand delivery

Via U.S. Mail, lst Class, Postage Prepaid

Via Overnight Delivery

ViaFacsimile

Via E-filing

Via hand delivery

Via U.S. Mail, 1st Class, Postage Prepaid

Via Ovemight Delivery

Via Facsimile

X ViaE-filing

Via hand delivery

Via U.S. Mail, lst Class, Postage Prepaid

Via Ovemight Delivery

Via Facsimile

ViaE-filing

X

X

I certify under penalty of perjury under the laws of the State of Oregon that the foregoing

is true and correct.

DATED at Portland, Oregon, this 12th day of December,2006.

s/ Sarah J. Crooks, WSBA No. 97151

S Crooks@perkinscoie.com

Perkins Coie r,r,p

1120 N.V/. Couch Street, Tenth Floor

Portland, OR 97209 -4128

Telephone: 503.727.2000

Facsimile: 503.727,2222

Attomeys for Plaintiff

The Neiman Marcus Group, Inc., Bergdorf

Goodman, Inc., NM Nevada Trust

Perkins Coie lI,r

1120 N.W. Couch Sheet Tenth Floor

Portland. OR 972094128

Phone: 503.727.2000

Fa><: 503.727.2222

Case 3:06-cv-05292-RBL Document 27 Filed 12/12/06 Page 8 of 8