[Hidden-tech] Buying URL from cybersquatter

[Charles Uchu Strader]

Christian,

It sort of depends on the category of cybersquatter.  There's:

a) The random individual that bought a domain and is sitting on it.  They are 
usually more open to direct contact and offer to purchase the domain at a 
reasonable price, if they are not using it.   Or back-ordering the domain as 
Charlie from Townwebsites suggested is a good way to go too, in this type of 
situation.

b) The professional cybersquatter.  Many times they have shell companies outside 
of the US that hold the domain.  Sometimes they want to sell it reasonably.  If 
they don't want to sell, then legal threats won't likely do much and reasonable 
offers to purchase the domain won't get anywhere either.  They are likely 
sitting on it to get the link/advertising traffic they get from the domain 
name...especially the case for generic names.  The UDRP process will likely be 
your only recourse...which is a process, but relatively well documented and a 
shorter process than legal filings.

Check out this link for some stories of examples:

http://pubcit.typepad.com/clpblog/2008/10/a-tale-of-two-u.html

Get your trademark and other legal ducks in order, then approach the squatter 
with a reasonable offer.  Documentation of them trying to sell the domain, in 
bad faith, at some inflated price is good documentation for legal filings in the 
US and for the UDRP.

This was not advice from a lawyer, it's from an internet geek.


Charles Uchu Strader
charles at gaiahost.coop 1-800-672-8060 x803
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GAIA Host Collective, LLC    http://www.gaiahost.coop

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On 7/27/11 12:39 PM, Christian Lagier wrote:
>     ** Be sure to fill out the survey/skills inventory in the member's area.
>     ** If you did, we all thank you.
>
>
> Do any of you have tips on buying a .com URL from a cybersquatter?
> Specifically, we are considering using ICANN's Uniform Domain-Name
> Dispute Resolution Policy to have the URL turned over once we use the
> brand in commerce and have filed trademark application (very soon). Do
> any of you have experience with that process?
>
> With thankful regards,
>
> Christian
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