Man Buys Web Address Hours After Water Park's Name RevealedJul 12 2007 8:42PM
After six weeks of voting, Zoombezi Bay was chosen by the public to be the water park's new name, 10TV's Brittany Westbrook reported. "We wanted something that had zoo in it because it's all part of the zoo complex," said Jerry Borin with the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium. "We wanted it to be a bit exotic sounding." SLIDESHOW: Images Of Park, Construction While the park's name was chosen without a hitch, naming its Web site may present some difficultly. After seeing the park's name in a newspaper Thursday morning, a Columbus man purchased the Web site address ZoombeziBay.com for $8.95, Westbrook reported. Even though the zoo owns Zoombezi Bay as a trademark, it won't be able to use it as the name for its Web site. To obtain the rights, the zoo would have to buy the address from the man, or make changes to the newly-chosen Zoombezi Bay name. "I wonder why someone would want to do it," Borin said. "We created it; the public voted for it - why not let the public have it?" The man who purchased the Web site address refused to appear on camera for 10TV's report, but said he was willing to sit down with the zoo to negotiate. He said it's the first Web site address he's ever purchased. Borin, meanwhile, said the zoo had no intentions to pay the man more than what he originally paid for the address. He also said the zoo didn't have plans to change the Zoombezi Bay name. "As I understand it, we have some legal protection," Borin said. "No one can try and sell it to us for some high amount of money. I'd be happy to buy it back from the person for what he paid for it. We'd be happy to own it. But no, we're not going to change the name" The water park, which is currently under construction, will feature a new wave pool, slides and entrance, Westbrook reported. According to Borin, the wooden roller coaster and Lazy River attraction will remain in place. Stay with 10TV News and refresh 10TV.com for additional information. |
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