What is the Definition of Cybersquatting?
Cyber squatting is the practice of registering domain names that closely resemble other companies’ trademarks or brands. This is a serious issue because it causes confusion amongst customers who might mistakenly think they’ve found the site they wanted.
Cyber squatters often register trademarked terms in order to profit from ad revenue generated by those sites. Domain name registrars typically charge $10-$20 per year for each domain name registered. The cost is usually split evenly between the registrant and the registry. In some instances, cyber squatters purchase domains at auction prices for pennies on the dollar and then sell them back to their original owners at full price.
The U.S. Trademark Office has recently taken action against several websites that appear to be cybersquatters. It’s important to note that trademark law only applies to goods and services, not to ideas or concepts. If a company owns a trademark for a term related to its business (such as “coupon codes”), it can prevent someone else from using that term. However, if a company owns a trademark that is not directly associated with its business (for example, a word mark such as “Apple“), it cannot stop someone else from using that word.
Cyber squatters are those who register domain names that are similar or identical to other companies’ trademarks. They then sell them at exorbitant prices, often without permission from the trademark owner. This practice has become rampant since the advent of the Internet.
What Is Cybersquatting? What to Know & How to Prevent It
Cybersquatters create confusion amongst consumers and businesses, leading to negative brand reputation and lost sales. There are several ways cyber squatters are able to profit from their illegal activities.
You might have seen a company selling a product online that looks exactly like another company’s. The problem is, they don’t have permission to use that name. That’s called cybersquatting, and it’s a growing problem that can cost you money. In this article, you’ll learn how to prevent cybersquatting and get back control over your brand.
Is domain squatting similar to cybersquatting?
Domain name squatting is when someone buys or takes over another person’s domain name without permission. Is it considered cyber squatting? What should you do if you suspect that someone has taken over your domain name?
Domain names are short strings of letters and numbers that identify websites on the Internet. When someone registers a web address such as www.google.com, they often choose a unique string of characters that will never be used before. These domain names are then registered by private companies called registrars.
Taking control of someone else’s domain name
Cyber squatting refers to taking control of someone else’s domain name. This might happen when someone else registers a domain name that is too similar to yours. Cyber squatters also try to take advantage of other people’s goodwill. For example, if you register a domain name for your company, some cyber squatters might try to register the same name for themselves. That would mean that visitors who type in your company’s domain name would instead go to their site.
How to get the cyber squatted domain name back?
You’ve got a great idea for a website that you want to launch. The only problem is that no matter how much time and effort you put into building a site, someone else has already taken ownership of the URL you want. How do you regain control of the domain?
Websites come under copyright or trademark law. When someone registers a domain name, they reserve the rights to it. If another person wants to register your domain, they must pay the previous owner. This payment usually goes directly to the registrar who owns the domain. They then transfer the domain to them.
There are three ways to reclaim your domain: through legal action, negotiation, or arbitration. These are discussed in detail below.
There are three ways to reclaim your domain: through legal action, negotiation, or arbitration.
Reclaim your domain: through legal action, negotiation, or arbitration.
You’ve probably heard tons of stories about domain names being taken from unsuspecting owners. And it’s true — some domains are registered by scammers who sell them at exorbitant prices, then disappear without giving their new owners much recourse. In other instances, businesses simply outgrow their domain name and want to move on.
There are several ways to get your domain back, but none of them are guaranteed. The most common way to claim a stolen domain is by filing a complaint with ICANN (Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers), an international non-profit organization that manages Internet Domain Name System (DNS). Another option is to file a trademark infringement lawsuit against the original registrant. Although both options offer hope, they rarely result in a successful outcome. If the domain has already been transferred to another party, you’ll likely be disappointed with the results of any legal action.
Arbitration is a cost-effective way to recover a stolen domain. Many companies operate under the assumption that they will never see a dime in stolen domain claims. Unfortunately, this isn’t always true. When you register a domain name, you don’t own it outright. Instead, you license it from the registry operator and agree to pay a certain amount every year as part of your domain registration agreement. This means that even though the domain is technically yours, the registry operator holds the rights to it.
What is a generic domain name? Generic Words and Trademark
A generic domain name is a web address consisting of two or three words that has no trademarked meaning. They are also known as descriptive terms. Many companies have registered a number of similar generic names, but they might not be able to prevent someone else from registering the same domain name.
A generic domain name is usually easier to register because it does not infringe on another company’s trademark. For example, if a company owns the domain “coffee.com”, they cannot trademark the domain name “coffee” as it is generic and can’t be trademarked.
But what happens if someone registers the generic domain name before you? That person can claim ownership of the name through a legal process called UDRP (Uniform Domain Name Dispute Resolution Policy). If the domain name holder wins, the other party loses the domain name.
A Good Case Study on Generic Domains – SULIT.PH
Case No. DPH 2011-0003
1. The Parties
The Complainant is Netrepreneur Connections Enterprises Inc. of Pasig City, Philippines, represented by the Law Offices of Ray Gilberto J. Espinosa, Philippines.
The Respondent is Anton Sheker, Seo.Com.Ph of Makati City, Philippines, represented by Vera & Associates Law Firm, Philippines.
2. The Domain Name and Registrar
The disputed domain name <sulit.ph> is registered with DotPH.
The Respondent appears to be genuinely using the disputed domain name comprising a generic word in connection with the “relied-upon meaning” of the word “sulit”, i.e. a good buy. It has provided a plausible explanation in its choice of the disputed domain name, namely that it was registered in the belief that since “sulit” is a generic or descriptive word that is commonly used in abundance for advertising or in a business that involves the buying and selling goods, it would not violate the Policy.
