Domain Name Information

Domain Squatting Explained


The one thing that annoys me most about the topic of domain names is when trying to find a domain name for a new site only to find most of the names I come up with are already taken. Even more annoying is that these names are not being used for a site that relates to the domain name.

Domain squatting or cyber squatting is the term used for someone who registers a domain with no intention of using it, that would otherwise be used for a site relating to the domain name.

Let me give you an example, recently I came up with an idea for a site and there was a couple of domains that were ideal, keyword1keyword2.com and the plural version, so I checked to see if they were available. I found that both the names I thought would be perfect were taken. Both domain names were directed to a generic search page whose sole purpose is to make money off of direct type ins.

Now I haven't given the names as I don't want to give away my idea and I don't want to give the sites any free advertising. This is not a one off incidence but something that happens quite often, especially with domain names with good or popular keywords. This activity is not illegal unless you use a trademark name, but it is against the ethics of what the internet is about.

There is a difference between domain squatting and domain parking and that difference is intent. If you register the domain with the intent of using it in the future for a purpose relating to the domain name then you have just parked the domain. If you register a domain with the sole intention of making money from reselling it or getting revenue from people typing in the domain name then that is domain squatting.

As I have explained it is not illegal it is just unethical, it is a free market economy and people are motivated by profit. I do not agree with domain squatting as it forces webmasters like myself to use domain names that are far from perfect, take this site on domain names, this name was far from my first choice. It also misleads internet users as the expect a site to be related to the keywords in the domain name making the internet less user friendly.

Find out more about domain names and get some advice before registering your next domain.


MORE RESOURCES:

Verizon Sues DirectNIC for Parking Expired Domain Names
Domain Name Wire (blog)
Verizon has a filed a lawsuit (pdf) against domain name registrar DirectNIC and related companies, alleging that the defendants parked expired domain names ...
Verizon Suits DirectNic and Sigmund Solares et al. for Cybersquatting – Over ...Domain Name News

all 2 news articles »


Altria Gets a Hit with Marijuana Domain Name Dispute
Domain Name Wire (blog)
In December I wrote about how Altria, the parent company of Philip Morris, had filed a complaint to get the domain names AltriaCannabis.com and ...




Stuff.co.nz

Domain names: Will sex still sell?
Independent
In a Manhattan auction room this morning what was once the internet's most valuable domain name goes under the hammer. Potential bidders won't be allowed in ...
Sex.com auction takes a cold showerCNNMoney.com
Sex.com auction stalled by legal actionThe Guardian
Sex.com loses its lustreStuff.co.nz
NEWS.com.au
all 535 news articles »


Oneindia

25 years of .com domain names
San Francisco Chronicle
In 1985, only six entities registered a .com, one of six top-level domain names created a year earlier in a reorganization of the early Internet's naming ...
First Dotcom URL Turns 25 Years OldTom's Guide
'Dot Com' Internet Domain Name Turns 25RadioFreeEurope/RadioLiberty
Dot-com marks 25th anniversaryCNN International
Erictric
all 198 news articles »


TFTS (blog)

Canon set to buy .canon domain name
V3.co.uk
Canon has announced that it plans to be one of the world's first companies to have a personalised top-level domain name. At the moment internet users can ...
Fact Check: UK Registrar World's Largest New Domain Name Supplier?Domain Name Wire (blog)
UK Company Confirmed as World's Largest New Domain Name SupplierPR Newswire (press release)
Canon aims to register the .canon domain. Will others follow suit?Downloadsquad (blog)
AkihabaraNews (blog) -Geek.com
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Sunday Buzz Do WaMu logo and trademarks have value?
Seattle Times
Last fall WaMu told the court it expects to get less than $1.5 million for its "non-core" intellectual property: trademarks and domain names that don't ...

and more »


MSN Money UK

world's most expensive domain names
MSN Money UK
Millions and millions of dollars if it's a domain name you've registered and someone else wants it. Millions of us slave away for decades to afford the best ...



New York Daily News

three businessmen quick to jump on city domain names
New York Daily News
They don't own mansions and skyscrapers; they control domain names. Cahill, a firefighter, bought Statenisland.com for $30000 seven years ago. ...
Larry Fischer and Leland Hardy Featured in New York Daily News ArticleElliot's Blog (blog)
Owner of Newyork.com Will Make Millions When He SellsGothamist

all 6 news articles »


Domain Name Journal

VeriSign Drops Prices on Premium .TV Domain Names
Domain Name Wire (blog)
With steep, registry-set prices for premium domain names, the potential for investment returns was essentially wiped out by the registry. ...
eNom Backs Verisign's .TV Premium Domain Price ReductionsInternet Ad Sales (press release) (blog)

all 9 news articles »

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