Web designer Paul Dell is asking for donations to help him defend himself against legal action and a claim for damages from computer maker Dell, Inc.

Paul Dell has been summoned to appear before the Tribunal de Grande Instance Paris because he owns dellwebsites.com. Paul uses the web address to publicise his web design business, but is accused of parasitism and unfair competition. Dell America seeks €100, 000 in damages, €50,000 for Dell France, plus another €500 for every mention of the word Dell on his website.

Paul Dell is asking for PayPal donations to help him pay for his defence.

Bizarrely, Dell, Inc. tried to take similar action against Paul Dell in 2002 but walked away when he refused to cave in to pressure.

Paul Dell has owned and run the website since April 2001. He also runs dellimages.com where he sells his photographs.

Dell, Inc. was unable to comment at press time.

A posse of Paul's friends have set up a page explaining why you should support him here. Or visit Paul's own site here.

Bootnote This reporter's great-great-grandfather was once prosecuted for selling "Anthony's Liver Salts" - he was taken to court by Andrew's Liver Salts. The judge ruled that he was quite entitled to sell anything he liked under his own name, which was Anthony. Sadly he was back in court shortly afterwards for selling BP sauce, which looked very like best-selling HP sauce. His defence that the sauce was named in honour of the founder of the Scout movement, Lord Baden-Powell, was not successful. ®