Slipknot Drops Lawsuit Over Bootleg Merchandise Website, For Now
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Slipknot, the internationally renowned heavy metal band, has voluntarily dismissed its lawsuit against the anonymous owner of Slipknot.com, a website accused of selling unauthorized merchandise. The dismissal, filed Wednesday, leaves the door open for the band to revive the legal action at a later date.
The dispute centered on allegations of cybersquatting and the sale of counterfeit goods, including “cheap promo products” and “costume masks,” that the band believed were misleading fans. According to a filing made in October, Slipknot argued that fans seeking official merchandise might mistakenly purchase items from Slipknot.com, believing it to be the band’s official online store.
‘In Rem’ Legal Strategy and Initial Opposition
The band initially pursued the case “in rem,” a legal term meaning the action was directed against the domain name itself rather than the individual who registered it in 2001. Reports from Domain Name Wire indicate that domain owners frequently do not defend against such suits. However, in November, legal representation emerged for the domain owner, identified as Slipknot Online Services, Ltd.
Attorney Jeffrey Neuman filed a notice asserting that his client had been unaware of the lawsuit and had owned the domain for the preceding 24 years, having registered it in February 2001. The owner’s identity remains concealed, with the domain linked to a post office box in the Grand Caymans.
Statute of Limitations and Voluntary Dismissal
In January, lawyers for Slipknot Online Services, Ltd. filed a motion to dismiss the case, arguing that the band had waited too long to initiate legal proceedings, given that Slipknot released its first record in 1999. Just days later, on Wednesday, Slipknot’s legal team filed for a voluntary dismissal of the suit “without prejudice.” This legal maneuver allows the band to potentially refile the lawsuit in the future.
Representatives for Slipknot, who maintain their official website at Slipknot1.com, declined to provide comment on the matter. Legal counsel for Slipknot Online Services, Ltd. did not respond to requests for comment.
The Status of Slipknot.com
As of today, Slipknot.com remains online, though it currently displays a message stating, “No valid delivery channels available for this domain.” The website is still copyrighted with the year 2025. Slipknot1.com remains active, despite the band not currently having any tour dates scheduled.
The band initially claimed that “a fan…would undoubtedly visit the slipknot.com website assuming it belonged to [Slipknot] and then purchase the Slipknot merchandise linked to on the site, causing damages.” The outcome of this legal battle, even in its current paused state, underscores the ongoing challenges artists face in protecting their brands and combating the proliferation of unauthorized merchandise in the digital age.
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