Church anger at 'callous' web sale

The website has 2,300 addresses for sale

A Scottish internet company has angered the Roman Catholic Church by attempting to cash in on the Pope's death.

Glasgow start-up Domain Hypermarket is selling the web address www.popesfuneral.com and is looking for offers of more than £15,000.

The church has described the move as "callous and exploitative" and is calling for tighter regulation of the internet.

Domain Hypermarket founder and managing director, Martin Newman, has defended the sale, saying it was "slightly morbid but not derogatory".

Pope John Paul II has been ill for some time

He said: "First of all, we don't own the address but are selling it for someone else.

"We do not set out to offend anybody. Obviously, we are quite upset that it has generated such negative reaction and, in particular, upset a religious organisation.

"I believe that the name was bought with the intention of selling it to a newsgroup.

"I would compare it to the fact, one that many people would be aware of, that most media organisations have obituaries prepared for famous people.

Business decision

"I am in the business of selling domain names. I think there is a value in that address, albeit it is potentially morbid."

The company has 2,300 addresses for sale, 95% of which it owns, but a portion of which are sold for third parties.

Names for sale on the site include: BeatlesFanClub.com, BuyCheapFlights.com, carUK.com and ClassicCarOnline.com.

Many of the top dot.com names, which are bought for as little as £30-£50, carry a price tag of £15,000 or more.

Church spokesman Monsignor Tom Connolly said: "It is quite sad, but not at all surprising.

"There is nothing sacred now. Even in death, someone is trying to make a fast buck.

"It reflects on our society where making a fast buck is all that counts. There is no respect for anybody."