Cybersquatting Hotel Names: Findings of Trademark Infringement and Cybersquatting Under the UDRP Against Media Insight.

Domainfight.net reports the following cybersquatting complaints under the Uniform Domain Name Dispute Resolution Policy (UDRP) against Respondent Media Insight aka Media Insights brought by major hotel chains.  Cybersquatting domain name trademarks owned by hotels and resorts has continued to increase over the last several years.

The Importance of Registering Your URL on Facebook

On Saturday, June 13, 2009, at 12:00 a.m. EDT, Facebook will allow users to create their own URLs for their profiles.  It is extremely important for those who have Facebook pages for their organizations/businesses to register their trademarked name.  Domain Name Wire stressed the rules Facebook will be using to prevent domain squatting from happening.  First, you can never transfer your profile.  Second, there is a trademark policy enforced on Facebook.  Lastly, anyone creating an account after announcement of username availability will not be able to select a username initially.  Once you have your username accepted, this will make it easier to advertise on your business card and in emails.

Protecting yourself and your company from trademark infringement on Facebook

Facebook is allowing personalized URLs to be added to accounts. On Tuesday, June 9, Facebook, Inc., a social networking website company based in the United States, publicly announced that beginning Saturday, June 13th at 12:01 a.m. U.S. EDT, users of the Facebook website will be allowed for the first time to create personalized URLs for their Facebook pages (facebook.com/yourname).  If you do not secure your name or your company name for your facebook page, someone else might do so causing confusion, trademark infringement and raising the possibility of fraud.

Facebook, Inc. has created an online form for rights owners interested in preventing their trademarks from being registered as usernames by Facebook users.

Trademark owners can reserve their trademark on the Facebook platform by submitting relevant information to Facebook, Inc. through their trademark protection contact form, available at Facebook's trademark rights page.  If you have further questions or concerns, please contact Facebook directly or see its Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) page.

For more information about the growing threat to personal names, trademarks and brands on facebook and twitter read "The Growing Threat to Trademarks and Personal Names: Social Network Cybersquatting."

Bill Clinton Loses UDRP Cybersquatting Arbitration - Inconsistency Still a Big Problem With UDRP Decisions

As being reported at HuffintonPost.com and Domain Name Wire, President Bill Clinton lost his Uniform Domain Dispute Resolution Policy (UDRP) NAF arbitration for the domains <williamclinton.com>, <williamjclinton.com> and <presidentbillclinton.com>, registered with The Name It Corporation d/b/a Nameservices.net.  Essentially, the arbitrator/panelist Glen Ayers found that:

1. Respondent’s disputed domain names are confusingly similar to Complainant’s WILLIAM CLINTON mark pursuant to Policy ¶ 4(a)(i). Thus the first element of the policy was satisfied.
2. Respondent lacks all rights and legitimate interests in the disputed domain names pursuant to Policy ¶ 4(a)(ii).
3. Respondent has not registered or used the disputed domain names in bad faith; Respondent has not violated any of the factors listed in Policy ¶ 4(b) or engaged in any other conduct that would constitute bad faith registration and use pursuant to Policy ¶ 4(a)(iii).

As noted below, the arbitrator's decision is questionable as a matter of common sense and UDRP precedent.  One problem that continues to persist under the UDRP is the disparity of experience, understanding or trademark law and established bias (both pro-Complainant and pro-Respondent) of UDRP arbitrators.

Additional resources regarding the issue of cybersquatting famous, celebrity and politician names:

• Celebrity Cybersquatting: Why Don't Famous People Protect Their Domain Names?
• Personal and Proper Names Protected Under Anti-Cybersquatting Act  
• Cybersquatting On The George Bush Library Name
• Political Candidate Cybersquatting: Hillary Clinton's Name Most Squatted

.cm Domain Registration: Sunrise Period For Trademark Owners Begins June 15

Trademark Infringement Alert:  .cm is the Top Level Domain for Cameroon and unfortunately a target for cybersquatters and typosquatters due to “cm” being a common typographical error for the most popular TLD ”com”. NetCom is the registry for the .cm domain names. 

Trademark owners need to take advantage of the short 'sunrise' period to register their brands and trademarks before registration opens up to third parties, some of who will be looking to cybersquat and typosquat on trademarks.