LONDON - Dennis Publishing, Ltd. has threatened to sue Dennis Publications, Ltd. for causing confusion in the marketplace.
Dennis Publishing was founded in 1974 and now publishes more than 50 magazines in the United Kingdom, including Maxim, Auto Express, and Customer Shopper. Dennis Publications has been in business since 1999 and recently launched the online adult industry magazine R-Rated.
The Maxim parent company is seeking a transfer of the domain name dennispublications.com, a full accounting of all magazines sold by Dennis Publications, and payment of legal fees.
Dennis Publications owner Dennis Burkasoff argues that his use of the name is fair and legal.
"The domain name www.dennispublications.com was free, so it's very logical that I was able to register it," Burkasoff told AVN. "Also, it's very strange that they're claiming that we're abusing their name, while in every official communication by mail, phone or website we're very clear that Dennis Publications is a subsidiary of Attitude Media Company Ltd."
Burkasoff stressed that his company does not produce the same content as Dennis Publishing, and that R-Rated is a free online publication - not a print magazine.
R-Rated features articles on the adult industry and softcore pictorials. Among those featured in the premiere issue are Mark Spiegler, Pietro Lucerni, Pierre Woodman, Louis Moire, Viv Thomas, Roxy Deville, Nella, Samantha Lewis, Jesse Jane and AVN CEO Darren Roberts.
"If Maxim is seeing R-Rated as a competitor, I only can say that it's an honor and proof that the adult entertainment industry is a success in the way we present it in our concept magazine," said Burkasoff. "If Dennis Publishing thinks that I'll give my domain name to them, they need to think about the following legal facts: a free domain name can be registered without any legal action, and there's a difference with our concept, market and our clients."
Burkasoff intends to continue marketing his products under the Dennis Publications banner. R-Rated will relaunch Aug. 1 as AIQ Lifestyle Magazine.
