Facebook on Sunday lodged a $50,000 (approx Tk 42.5 lakh) lawsuit against a Bangladeshi national SK Shamsul Alam and A1 Software Limited over a domain name (facebook.com.bd). 

The US tech giant filed the case at the court of Md Sawkat Ali Chowdhury, said the company's legal counsel Moksedul Islam.
 
Moksedul Islam said Shamsul Islam and A1 Software Limited bought the domain facebook.com.bd from Bangladesh Telecommunications Company Limited (BTCL) in 2008. 

"We sent notice to the BTCL and authorities concerned asking them to block the domain after the matter came to our notice. But they have not yet blocked the domain," the Facebook lawyer said.

He said Facebook repeatedly tried to purchase the domain from the owner SK Shamsul Alam but failed. Meanwhile, the owner published an advertisement to sell the domain at $6 million (Tk 51 crore). Finally, Facebook lodged the case seeking permanent ban on the website and $50,000 (Tk 42.5 lakh) compensation.

SK Shamsul Islam and A1 Software Limited were made defendants in the case. Facebook also sought a ban on sale and handover of the domain in the case. The hearing on the credibility of case is likely to be held on December 1, said lawyer Moksedul Islam.

BDST: 1325 HRS, NOV 23, 2020
AP/SMS