Wildlife Watching Supplies run by Kevin Keatley, wildlife photographer

News and Updates

GOOD NEWS

We have won our Nominet case against Stealth Wildlife. In Dec 09 and Feb 10 Stealth Wildlife registered the domains www.wildlifewatchingsuppliesuk.co.uk and www.ukwildlifewatchingsupplies.co.uk.

In an independent judgement it was found that Stealth Wildlife had registered and used the domain names in a manner which took unfair advantage of or was unfairly detrimental to our rights, and the definition covers both the time of registration and later use.

We had made a complaint to Nominet and said that we have traded for many years as Wildlife Watching Supplies and Stealth Wildlife had registered 2 domain names that were only different to ours by the inclusion of an extra u.k at either end and that it used text and style similar to our own website. We had argued that the domain names have confused people looking for our website. The confusion had been compounded by the fact the websites associated with the domain names appear to say that Wildlife Watching Supplies UK is in association with Stealth Wildlife.

It was found that we have rights in the name which is similar to the domain names; and that each of the domain names, in the hands of Janatha Carden/Stealth Wildlife Ltd. was an abusive registration and the domain names are to be transferred to us.

When you register and use a domain there are terms and conditions you have to comply with. You can't register a domain name primarily for the purpose of disrupting the business of a competitor, or by using the domain name, you have intentionally attempted to attract for commercial gain, internet users to your website or other online location, by creating a likelihood of confusion with the complainant's mark as to the source, sponsorship, affiliation or endorsement of your website.

To see the full decision of the Independent Expert on case number DRS 08398 Kevin Keatley Ltd. and Janatha Carden (Stealth Wildlife) go to Nominet: http://www.nic.uk/disputes/drs/decisions/decisionssearch/ You can also see the judgement by clicking here:

Click to see a copy of the solicitors letter referred to:

In a way, I will take it as a compliment that we have built up a successful brand and a range of designs that another Company wanted. We must be on the right track !!

Kevin Keatley

Best on Test

Our C80R All-in-one Camera and Lens covers have just received the PhotoPlus 'best on test' award for LCD Sun Shades.
"Designed for wildlife shoots, this camouflaged cloth cover provides protection from the sun's rays for your whole camera and lens, not just the screen. The lens fits through the elastic opening at the front, while at the back your camera and screen is shielded by a drawstring closure. The double lining provides excellent protection for the LCD screen from glare, while the flexible material gives great versatility and shading in all weather conditions".

Halcyon River Diaries

A film by Charlie Hamilton James.
BBC1 May 2010
Stunning family documentary of life on the riverbank. Charlie uses our C30.1-A Dome hide and A2 leafcut scrim for his filming. http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00shp24

BBC Natural World
"A Highland Haven"
Shown Sunday 21/2/10 on BBC 2.
A stunning film of the wildlife of the Scottish highlands. Our kit was used in the making of this wildlife documentary series. The last section on how the programme was made showed our C30.1-A large dome hide. Our range of camouflage clothing is waterproof, breathable and quiet - perfect for getting you closer to the wildlife.

NEW WORKSHOP

We have just moved to a new workshop in Tiverton, having outgrown our workshop in Puddington where we had been for a number of years. Over the last couple of years we had been bursting at the seams but now we have room for expansion as the Company continues to grow, despite the recent UK recession.

During the move I've been busy putting up shelves and organising the workshop layout, but luckily the weather has been grey and rainy so I've not missed too many photo opportunities. I've sorted out my English Nature Licences for my Kingfisher and Barn Owl photography so looking forward to the new season. I have managed to get down to the orchard hide during the snow (with my mug of tea) and have been lucky to get some good snowy bird shots. I do spend as much time as I can in the field using our kit and testing new products and materials. The team always know if I've been in my hide a long time as I come back to the workshop with lots of drawings and ideas for future products.

Canon UK (MOD team) used our C80 camera and lens covers at a recent tactical support unit conference to show how their lenses can be camouflaged.
Other Companies at the conference also used our covers to camouflage scopes and surveillance systems.

Combining wildlife photography with my business means an early morning trip to photograph the red deer, which also entails getting some product shots of the kit we make and supply. Before I head home, I set a camera up on a tripod, switch to timer and nip into the position I was in when I took the deer photos.

Anybody looking would think I was a bit strange, but luckily the camouflage works well. I'm often asked how I get my wildlife shots so these photos show how I try and blend into my surroundings and how our kit breaks up the human shape and outline. Most of my photos of deer are taken from the edge of the woods looking out.

I normally arrive just at sunrise when the deer are grazing peacefully in the open. It can also be a time for great light and mist. (See my blog section).

BBC - Lost Land of the Volcano

An international team of scientists, cavers and wildlife filmmakers venture deep into the heart of the remote tropical island of New Guinea to explore a giant extinct volcano - Mount Bosavi.

Wildlife Watching Supplies hides being used on this latest BBC program for filming: BBC Lost Land of the Volcanos - Sept 2009