Diva And Goliath

After Microsoft ignored a cease

and desist letter sent on April 25, 2000, the Digital Divas

(www.digitaldivas.com) have launched a massive internet

campaign known as "Diva and Goliath" to stop Microsoft's

continued infringement on their trademark. The Digital Divas

discovered in April that Microsoft launched a promotion known

as the Microsoft Digital Diva (www.digitaldiva.com), employing

a woman who appears to offer help to consumers with computer

and the internet use. According to Digital Divas founder Dana

Whitmire (www.danas.net), "these are exactly the types of

services our group has offered to the internet community for

almost three years. We feel Microsoft has tried to capitalize

on the good will we have worked hard to build."

The Digital Divas were founded by Whitmire in 1997. They

provide computer and internet assistance from their website and

promote the services of their members, all of whom are

experienced and successful computer professionals. The group

is composed of 71 members from 17 U.S. states and 7 foreign

countries. The purpose of the Diva and Goliath campaign is

threefold. According to spokesperson Faith A. Kaminsky, "our

small group has limited resources. We are hoping that the

campaign will get the internet community behind us, help us

raise some money to commence a lawsuit, and hopefully attract a

lawyer to assist us." The Digital Divas are the founders of

Grey Day (www.greyday.org), an annual copyright awareness event

that began on October 1, 1998. Many of the members, including

Timmi Sommer feel that Microsoft's actions "are particularly a

slap in the face" for that reason.

The cease and desist letter sent to Microsoft was written by

the New York law firm Moses & Singer (www.mosessinger.com) on a

pro bono basis. According to Kaminsky, "we are extremely

grateful for the assistance of David Rabinowitz and Mark

Marderosian, but we understand that it is a big task for any

lawfirm to accept on a pro bono basis."

Complete information about the Diva and Goliath campaign can be

found at www.digitaldivas.com/gol/