Changes

==Lawsuit==

==Lawsuit==

In January 2012, DotFree Group and Piatti were part in a lawsuit filed by Microsoft involving the Kelihos Botnet, which is infecting the computers of internet users. Microsoft alleged that the company violated Federal Computer Fraud and Abuse Act (18 U.S.C. § 1030), CAN-SPAM Act (15 U.S.C. § 7704), Electronic  

In January 2012, DotFree Group and Piatti were part in a lawsuit filed by Microsoft involving the Kelihos Botnet, which is infecting the computers of internet users. Microsoft alleged that the company violated Federal Computer Fraud and Abuse Act (18 U.S.C. § 1030), CAN-SPAM Act (15 U.S.C. § 7704), Electronic  

Communications Privacy Act (18 U.S.C. § 2701) and the Lanham Act (15 U.S.C. § 1125). Microsoft claimed that DotFree Group sold at least 3,723 “cz.cc” sub-domains to Andrey N. Sabelnikov, the primary defendant in the case who operates a software development and consulting firm and used the sub domain names to control, operate, maintain and grow the harmful Kelihos botnet.<ref>[http://www.noticeofpleadings.com/images/FAC-EN.pdf Microsoft Corporation vs Dominique Alexander Piatti, DotFree Group s.r.o. et. al.]</ref> In October 2012, Microsoft voluntarily dismissed its complaints againts DotFree Group and Piatti.<ref>[http://www.noticeofpleadings.com/images/Botnet_voluntary_dismissal_file-stamped.pdf NOTICE OF VOLUNTARY DISMISSAL OF DEFENDANTS DOMINIQUE ALEXANDER PIATTI AND DOTFREE GROUP S.R.O.]</ref> In a press statement, Microsoft cleared DotFree Group and Piatti in the Kelihos botnet case and confirmed that they had no involvement in the command and control structure of the virus after reviewing all the evidences they submitted voluntarily. Microsoft also confirmed that they reached a settlement agreement wherein Piatti agreed to delete or transfer all the subdomains used to operate the Kelihos botnet and for other illegal purposes to Microsoft. Both companies also agreed to work together in developing and implementing create best practices to prevent abuse of .free sub-domains and to ensure the security of the .free TLD. <ref>[http://blogs.technet.com/b/microsoft_blog/archive/2011/10/26/microsoft-reaches-settlement-with-piatti-dotfree-group-in-kelihos-case.aspx Microsoft Reaches Settlement with Piatti, dotFREE Group in Kelihos Case]</ref>

Communications Privacy Act (18 U.S.C. § 2701) and the Lanham Act (15 U.S.C. § 1125). Microsoft claimed that DotFree Group sold at least 3,723 “cz.cc” sub-domains to Andrey N. Sabelnikov, the primary defendant in the case who operates a software development and consulting firm and used the sub domain names to control, operate, maintain and grow the harmful Kelihos botnet.<ref>[http://www.noticeofpleadings.com/images/FAC-EN.pdf Microsoft Corporation vs Dominique Alexander Piatti, DotFree Group s.r.o. et. al.]</ref> In October 2012, Microsoft voluntarily dismissed its complaints againts DotFree Group and Piatti.<ref>[http://www.noticeofpleadings.com/images/Botnet_voluntary_dismissal_file-stamped.pdf NOTICE OF VOLUNTARY DISMISSAL OF DEFENDANTS DOMINIQUE ALEXANDER PIATTI AND DOTFREE GROUP S.R.O.]</ref> In a press statement, Microsoft cleared DotFree Group and Piatti in the Kelihos botnet case and confirmed that they had no involvement in the command and control structure of the virus after reviewing all the evidence that was submitted voluntarily. Microsoft also confirmed that they reached a settlement agreement wherein Piatti agreed to delete or transfer all the subdomains used to operate the Kelihos botnet and for other illegal purposes to Microsoft. Both companies also agreed to work together in developing and implementing create best practices to prevent the abuse of .free sub-domains and to ensure the security of the .free TLD.<ref>[http://blogs.technet.com/b/microsoft_blog/archive/2011/10/26/microsoft-reaches-settlement-with-piatti-dotfree-group-in-kelihos-case.aspx Microsoft Reaches Settlement with Piatti, dotFREE Group in Kelihos Case]</ref>

==References==

==References==