New Delhi: In a major update in the JioHotstar domain row, the app developer who bought it, has decided to take the site offline. In a long letter, he made this announcement, citing concerns raised by parents over the issue. Expressing gratitude for the support he received and the legal help that he was offered, he said that his parents are worried and he did not expect to go this viral.
"My parents read the news and they are worried, actually super super worried. Itna bhi viral nhi hona tha yaar. Shayad legal battle phir bhi handle ho jaye, bhai saab maa baap ka samjhana is so difficult. Good Kalesh today,” he wrote in the letter.
Also Read: JioHotstar Domain Row: Reliance ‘Denies’ ‘Dreamer’s’ Rs 1 Cr Demand – Legal Action Next?
For the unversed, a Delhi-based app developer had bought the JioHotstar domain in anticipation of a merger, hoping that it would help him fund his dream of one day going to Cambridge University for higher education. However, Reliance Industries reportedly declined his request to grant Rs 1 crore to fund his education at Cambridge in lieu of the domain name.
Read The Full Letter Here
Thank You People of Internet
I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the lawyers who generously offered their time and guidance pro bono. From the Honorable Supreme Court and High Court to legal minds in Cambridge, London, California, Texas, and surprisingly even Berlin – I'm still amazed how this reached German lawyers. Your support means a lot to me.
My parents read the news and they are worried, actually super super worried. Itna bhi viral nhi hona tha yaar. Shayad legal battle phir bhi handle ho jaye, bhai saab maa baap ka samjhana is so difficult. Good Kalesh today. Although many legal minds have suggested that I should hold this domain and fight for it, acquiring a domain is like an asset, and there is nothing illegal in buying something in hope that its price will appreciate, as long as I don't impersonate this site as the official site of Reliance or try to sell something on behalf of Jio or Hotstar or make money out of it. I am the legimitate owner of this domain and have the right to hold this domain as long as I wish. I might not be able to use it for anything, but holding it as a showpiece without infringing on anyone's trademark is completely legal. I can be restrained from using this domain or even keep this site online, but can't be forced to give up the domain.
Apart from the many pieces of advice I am getting, What i have understood is that there are many legal opinions and no clear answer until the court pronounces a verdict and I literally don't have the time and resources to go against a big group. If I get a legal notice, I will have to comply. Chances are they might not even pay a single penny for this, but I hope they look at it from a compassionate side and offer a respectable sum for it. Kya pata Reliance ki wajh se meri diwali bhi badiya ho jaye.
Thank you everybody who posted kind words for me on social media, and even to those who were not so kind. Some of you really think I am some super smart hacker, who cracked this. Even I really wish I was. Pretty disheartening but hota hai, hopefully another opportunity will strike soon to go to Cambridge (without so much legal drama). If you feel you have the time and resources for legal stuff or you live in a country where Jio is not a trademark, you can instantly buy this domain from NameCheap.com at 1/10th of original ask. I hope if Reliance needs this domain, they consider buying it. I had no malicious intent just the hope for a better future. Bye Bye. This site will go offline soon.
Best Regards,
A Dreamer