Tech blogger cybersquats God's Rottweiler

BenedictXVI.com

A Florida-based tech writer has pulled off a nice coup by acquiring BenedictXVI.com almost three weeks before Joseph Ratzinger ascended to the Papacy.

Rogers Cadenhead bought a raft of potential papal domains on 1 April - including ClementXV.com, InnocentXIV.com, LeoXIV.com, PaulVII.com and PiusXII.com - but hit the jackpot by correctly anticipating Ratzinger's penchant for the name Benny, Wired reports.

Cadenhead will not, however, use the domain to make a fast buck. He says he bought the url as a "game", noting: "If I didn't do it, someone less reputable would." Regarding what he will use the domain for, Cadenhead wisely concedes: "The decision would be guided by the idea not to piss off 1.1 billion [Roman Catholics]."

According to Wired, Cadenhead is getting 100 hits a minute on BenedictXVI.com and has earned a modest $12 from Google ads on his blog. Naturally, he has also received some emails from the faithful accusing him of sinful internet activity.

Pope Benedict XVI's position on cybersquatting is unknown. ®

Related stories

Vatican mobilises anti-surveillance op
Italian MSN search engine caught in Vatican smear
Court rejects malicious emailer's Papal bull