How To Beat Domain Squatters?
Domain squatting also known as cyber squatting is the act of registering a domain name with the purpose of getting monetary benefit from the trademark belonging to someone else. Usually cyber squatter registers a domain name for a business or trademark that belongs to someone else and later on tries to sell it to the actual owner of business/trademark at hefty profit.
Sometimes cyber squatter also puts up derogatory remarks to defame the business. This trend of cyber squatting started in late eighties or earlier nineties when the concept of internet was catching up and not many businesses had online presence.
The domain name squatters adopt different technical strategies depending upon the situation. Sometimes they register domain names that sound similar to a well-known business or a trademark. This is called typo squatting. Another strategy adopted by cyber squatters is that they try to register domain names when the original owners forget to re-register the domain names before their expiration date. This usually occurs when domain names get expired and the owner could not renew them on time.
How to find if you are a victim of cyber squatting?
The first step is to use any good search engine to find sites that are registered with your trademarks or business name. If you find a website with your name, access that site. If it displays a page which says that ‘this domain name is for sale or website under construction’, then it means someone else has already registered a domain name that belongs to you. If you find yourself in this situation, try to evaluate which option will save your time and money, paying the seller or taking a legal action against the cyber squatter.
Now days when everyone knows about potential benefits of internet and online presence, one can follow the following simple strategies to beat cyber squatters:
1. Anti-cyber-squatting laws familiarity: The government has recognized the potential of misuse of internet and to tackle that problem government in most of states and countries are updating their local laws pertaining to cyber squatting and internet based crimes. As an owner of domain name, one needs to familiarize themselves with the basic laws of anti-cyber-squatting. It is good practice to make yourselves aware about your rights related to internet. This might save your business in case legal disputes related to internet takes place
2. Register your domain name proactively: Internet is a very important medium to reach millions of potential customers, so you should register domain names related to your business or trademarks proactively. This will not cost you much and will save you from falling prey to cyber squatters. Once you have registered your domain name you should always keep your registration active.
3. Take care when launching new products or services: If you are thinking of launching new products or services in the market, you should do a research on the availability of domain name and immediately get that registered even if you do not need them. It will pay you in the long run and you will be at ease knowing that your domain name is now safe and secure.
4. Uniform Domain Name Resolution Policy (UDRP): It is a process, which has been developed by the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) for resolving the disputes pertaining to domain name. In case of any domain name misuse or cyber squatting, you can register your complaint at UDRP. Registering with UDRP would cost you less money as compared to local courts.
The act of cyber squatting is annoying to everyone. Your proactive action taken with respect to registering your domain name will indeed prevent you from becoming a victim of the same.
John E, Marketing Manager Easily.co.uk - Domain name registration, register your low cost domain name today! Search domain names quickly, all major extensions and no catches.