Bodog Licenses Trademarks to Canadian Mohawks - 09-10-07

September 10 - In an interesting counteraction to the recent loss of its domain names, Bodog Entertainment has licensed the use of all Bodog domains and the Bodog trademark to Morris Mohawk Gaming Group for the operation and marketing of gaming services in North America.

Bodog lost its domain names in a lawsuit filed by a company called 1st Technology, which claims the downloadable gambling software used by Bodog violates patents held by the them. Bodog did not respond to these claims and 1st Technology was handed a default judgment by a Nevada court. It resulted in Bodog's domain names being seized and the company being ordered to pay 1st Technology $49 million in damages. Flamboyant Bodog CEO Calvin Ayre has labeled 1st Technology as "patent trolls".

Where the Mohawks fit into this battle is not quite certain, but a recent blog by Ayre gives some indication when he says that the Mohawks "aren't exactly known for backing down from a fight...and they don't take kindly to folks who try to steal from them".

Morris Mohawk is headed by noted first nation leader Alwyn Morris, a double Olympics gold medalist and member of the Order of Canada, the country's highest civilian honor. He is vary active in sport, civic and business initiatives aimed at enhancing the the position of Canadian natives. He is the Director of the Council of Chiefs for the Mohawk Council of Kahnawake, located near Montréal.

This is an interesting move by Ayre and Bodog vs 1st Technology is no Mohawks vs 1st Technology. What it means is not quite clear but it will be interesting to watch as the saga unfolds....