ATSCo responds to questions of using ‘bullying’ tactics
Ann Swain, Chief Executive of ATSCo, has spoken to UKTECH about its letter of intent to commence legal proceedings against the Affiliation of Technology Sub-Contractors. She said, ‘I have been advised not to say anything by my lawyers but I am so tired of the situation that I feel I must set the record straight.’
The responses to the questions sent to Ann Swain at ATSCo’s offices prior to the ATSCo goes to war over domain name dispute article of yesterday, were as follows…
The Affiliation is calling your case against them ‘groundless’ and their solicitors have told them that ‘You don’t have a leg to stand on’ - what is your response?
“A letter was sent to their ISP - they need to be very careful with their business. I believe that there is a link between the PCG, ISP and the Affiliation. It’s better for ATSCo just to avoid it but I don’t know - this is all a surprise to me. The reality is, I don’t know the full situation - it’s not some huge legal battle.”
The Affiliation doesn’t see how you can claim or quantify that they have caused you a loss of any kind, how do you believe they have done this?
“I can’t comment on that. That’s what needs to be shown and talking about it might jeopardise anything that happens in the future.”
They realise that you have ‘deeper pockets’ than them and believe you will keep the case going until you bankrupt them to take them out of the picture.
“I don’t see where the ‘deep pockets’ part comes from, ATSCo is a non-profit making trade association”.
They blame the action, in part, to your being upset with the current stories surrounding Computer People - is this justified?
“That’s rubbish - we’re investigating a complaint. There’s no bad blood - it’s purely about someone trying to take the piss out of ATSCo and steal our e-mails.”
They are going to challenge you to a dispute resolution procedure by Nominet - the UK internet names organisation: will you be accepting?
“They can do whatever they want - I don’t have time for their publicity raising.
“In fact, if I could make a statement regarding this whole issue, it would be this…
"I’m very tired of people that really should be more professional with what they do and wish they would get on with supporting the interests of the IT community - including contractors and clients.
"Someone that wanted to do something good with contractors would want someone to do with ATSCo. It’s pathetic - why do they keep taking my e-mails. Next time can they copy me into my own e-mails because they have been passing off as ATSCo.”
--
Richard Powell