"Koch Industries Unamused by Climate Spoof"

"From the sometimes bizarre front lines of the climate-change culture wars: It seems the brothers Koch, proprietors of the giant, Kansas-based industrial conglomerate and well-heeled supporters of Tea Party causes, have now set their sights on a group of anonymous pranksters who spoofed a Koch Industries press release last month — one that suggested the brothers were having a change of heart on climate change.

The fake statement, which was posted online at a Web address similar to that of Koch Industries and circulated to members of the press, said the company was cutting off its support for a variety of groups openly skeptical of global warming science.

While it doesn’t appear that any media outlets were duped, Koch Industries — not widely known for indulging critics — quickly assembled its legal foot soldiers. The company filed a lawsuit in a federal district court in Utah late last month, charging a phalanx of anonymous 'John Does' with 'trademark infringement, cybersquatting, and unfair competition.'  "

Tom Zeller Jr. reports for the New York Times' Green blog January 27, 2011.

SEE ALSO:

"Kochs Attempt To Unmask Climate Pranksters" (Mother Jones)