Latest Bad Faith Cybersquatting Decisions Against Navigation Catalyst Systems

Here are the latest bad faith cybersquatting UDRP cases and decisions against Navigation Catalyst Systems as reported by UDRP search engine domainfight.net.

Texas International Property Associates Is a Habitual Cybersquatter

Cybersquatting trademark domain names is a favorite pastime of Texas International Property Associates.  Check out these search results on domainfight.net for Texas International Property Associates as a Respondent in domain name disputes for both NAF and WIPO.  Note the WIPO returns are only partial and the extended returns on NAF show 126 records.

Our attorneys specialize in cybersquatting and trademark matters under the UDRP (WIPO / NAF arbitration).  If Texas International Property Associates is cybersquatting on your trademarks, our domain dispute attorneys can help. Contact us today for a free evaluation or call (866) 936-7447 (International Toll Free).

NAF Panel Finds Cybersquatting against Navigation Catalyst Systems - Orders Transfer of 41 Domains

Our domain name dispute and cybersquatting lawyers were able to obtain 41 domains registered by Navigation Catalyst Systems which were clearly cybersquatting on the famous weatherunderground.com and wunderground.com weather websites.  Weather Underground is one of the most popular weather tools in the world with an Alexa traffic rank of 570.

This is merely one of many proceedings that Navigation Catalyst Systems has been involved in recently involving allegations of trademark cybersquatting.  You can read the decision below.

Habitual Cybersquatter under the Uniform Dispute Resolution Policy (UDRP): Steve Kerry a/k/a North West Enterprise, Inc.

Since 2006 Steve Kerry a/k/a North West Enterprise, Inc., has been named respondent in 14 UDRP domain name disputes handled by either NAF or WIPO.  Steve Kerry a/k/a North West Enterprise, Inc., Kerryweb, KerryWeb Enterprise, Inc., has been ruled against as a cybersquatter in all of those domain disputes.  As a result, panels have ordered that the domain names be transferred form the registrant to the Complainant who filed the UDRP Complaint.  The UDRP decisions include:

Habitual Cybersquatter under the Uniform Dispute Resolution Policy (UDRP): Keyword Marketing Inc. a/k/a Marketing Total S.A. a/k/a Domain Drop S.A.

Founding Attorney Enrico Schaefer:  "Since 2006, Keyword Marketing Inc. a/k/a Marketing Total S.A. a/k/a Domain Drop S.A., has been the named respondent in 33 UDRP domain name disputes handled by either NAF or WIPO. Keyword Marketing Inc. a/k/a Marketing Total S.A. a/k/a Domain Drop S.A. has been ruled against as a cybersquatter in 32 of those domain disputes.  As a result, panels have ordered that the domain names be transferred from the registrant to the Complainant who filed the UDRP Complaint."

If you are a victim of cybersquatting by these entities, you should contact one of our trademark and domain dispute attorneys for a free evaluation or call 866.936.7447 (International Toll Free).

Domain Fight lists decisions against Keyword Marketing, Inc. here, Marketing Total S.A here, and Domain Drop S.A. here. 

The UDRP decisions include:

Cybersquatting is Only Going to Get Worse – Are You Prepared?

It was recently reported by Cyveillance, a leader in cyber intelligence reporting, that suspicious domain registrations have increased for corporations.  However, cybersquatting, typosquatting, and other forms of cyberpiracy do not only plague “large enterprises” with “master brands.”  Cybersquatting effects all types of entities - from the individual business owner with a common law trademark, to the mid-sized company with newly established trademarks and multiple domain name registrations, to the mega-corporations with hundreds or thousands of domain name registrations and trademark registrations with the USPTO and internationally.  Cyveillance’s report simply confirms that which these entities should already know – cybersquatting is a growing problem that requires careful attention.

American Idol Appearance: Cybersquatting on Dolly Parton's Personal Name

As many of you know, American Idol is hosting Dolly Parton week, which means your favorite idols will be crooning to their favorite Dolly Parton tunes.  We thought we would take this opportunity to list some of the most blatant cybersquatters on Dolly Parton's famous name (which, of course, are protected under both trademark law and the UDRP) and official web site www.dollyparton.com.

• www.dolly-parton.com (re-direct to www.any-web.com/main.asp?SiteID=DOLLY-PARTON.COM which displays links to on-line vendors of Dolly Parton music and wares).
• wwwdollyparton.com  (site linking to ads for various Dolly Parton web sites)
• dollypartons.com (same)
• dollypartin.com (redirect to countrymuzic.org which is an adfarm site)
• dollypaton.com (adlink site)

There are more cyber-squatters on the Dolly Parton name, but this will give you an idea about what cybersquatting sites look like and how common squatting occurs. You might ask "What is the difference between American Idol using the Parton name and the sites above?"   American Idol, and its contestants, have permission to leverage the Dolly Parton name.  Cybersquatters do not.  They lurk in the shadows of the internet, hoping no one will notice their theft of internet traffic and adword revenue. 

Habitual Cybersquatter under the Uniform Dispute Resolution Policy (UDRP): Texas International Property Associates (a.k.a. International Property Associates)

Since 2006, Texas International Property Associates, also known as International Property Associates, has been the named respondent in 98 UDRP domain name disputes handled by either NAF or WIPO. Texas International Property Associates has been ruled against as a cybersquatter in 90 of those domain disputes.  As a result, panels have ordered that the domain names be transferred from the registrant to the Complainant who filed the UDRP Complaint.  The UDRP decisions include:

Habitual Cybersquatter under the UDRP: Caribbean Online International Ltd.

Not only can multiple UDRP decisions against a particular domain name registrant (respondent) evidence domain warehousing, or the practice of registering multiple domain names incorporating the valuable trademarks of others, but such decisions can be used as evidence of bad faith in other UDRP proceedings or in ACPA litigation.  It is critical to know who the registrant is, what other domains it owns or have owned, and how to best approach your particular domain name dispute. 

Since 2006, Carribean Online International Ltd. has been the named respondent in 28 UDRP domain name disputes handled by either NAF or WIPO.  Caribbean Online International Ltd. has been ruled against as a cybersquatter in 27 of those, including:

Political Candidate Cybersquatting: Hillary Clinton's Name Most Squatted

Hillary Clinton the Most “Cybersquatted” Name This Election ~ The National Arbitration Forum Blog

The most eagerly followed U.S. election race in decades has triggered an avalanche of 'cybersquatter' activity, according to a cybersquatting report on Forbes.com. More than 1,900 domain names related to the presidential candidates have been registered.  The report by NetNames, an ICANN accredited domain name registrar, indicates that Hillary Clinton, followed by Barack Obama and then John McCain, is the most popular candidate online. More than 1,000 domain names related to Clinton’s name have been registered.

According to NetNames Study, a significant proportion of hijacked domain names lead to online 'click farms' - websites that feature Google-style pay-per-click adverts.  This is classic cybersquatting and typosquatting. Presidential and other political candidates have always been a favorite target of people looking to cybersquat famous names because of the web traffic they attract and the huge political campaign marketing budgets which push potential voters to official candidate web sites. Because internet users often mistype the candidates name into the browser address bar, many people navigate to these cybersquatting sites by accident. In some instances, negative messages or competing politicians are include din the ads which display on the cybersquatting site. Political candidate cybersquatting poses risks to candidates because of the potential for diverted traffic and competing political messages. As noted previously, personal names, including those of political candidates because they are inherently famous, are protected by both the UDRP and ACPA. 

A November 2006 New York Times article discussed political candidate domain name disputes, cybersquatting on personal names.  The article highlighted Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton’s domain name dispute under the UDRP which she filed the National Arbitration Forum in which a panelist ordered the disputed domain name HillaryClinton.com to be transferred to Clinton.  (see NAF cybersquatting decision below)

Technorati Tags: personal names, cyber-squatting, political candidates, Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama, John McCain

World's Dumbest Domain Cybersquatter Revealed!

Popular industry blog ReadWriteWeb is in the midst of an escalating battle over their rights to the brand name, and URL extensions. As noted at the ReadWriteWeb blog, a cybersquattor by the name of Vladislav Sobolev from Russia registered ReadWriteWeb.mobi  then engaged in an extensive email exchange about  his registration with the owner of ReadWriteWeb, Richard McManus.  Mr. Sobolev's emails seek to show off his expertise in cybersquatting matters and trademark law, thereby establishing his rightful claim to the ReadWriteWeb.mobi domain. Instead, Mr. Sobolev establishes with surgical precision that he is in fact cybersquatting on the ReadWriteWeb domain in violation of the Uniform Domain Name Dispute Policy (UDRP) and Anti-Cybersquatting Consumer Protection Act (ACPA). 

Mr. Sobolev's emails are typical of what our lawyers refer to as the ignorant cybersquatter; someone who intentionally registers known trademarks and brands without any real understanding of domain name law under the  UDRP or the ACPA.  But Sobolev sets the mark. We think you will agree that Mr. Sobolev in his own endearing and vociferous way has earned the title as "The World's Dumbest Cybersquatter."

When we first read the story at WebSite magazine blog and then followed the link over to ReadWriteWeb, we could not believe the ever-increasing levels of cybersquatting stupidity exhibited by Sobolev.  After considering our options, we not help but to take this opportunity (tongue-in- cheek as it may be) to help educate and inform about the growing cybersquatting problem.  Perhaps posts like this will save some other poor soul from paying his $15 registration fee for domain variations of someone else's trademarks based on erroneous information.

Using The World's Dumbest Cybersquatter as our trusted guide, we give you no less than 12 pitfalls to avoid when cybersquatting on someone else's domain.  Our message to would-be cybersquatters is simple.  If you are going to engage in theft, don't seek out the homeowner so you can show him the loot and hand him a note admitting all the elements of the crime. (Traverse Legal is not responsible for any injuries you may incur if you attempt to read the remainder of this post without first sitting down on a stable chair).

Who Is Cybersquatting on Microsoft.com?

Cybersquatting and typosquatting (the registration of domains names infringing on established brands and trademarks) are indeed rampant.  Companies must work hard to protect their trademarks and on-line brands.  Our lawyers specialize in trademark protection, domain disputes, domain theft and cybersquatting matters. And yes, even we need a break every once in a while. In order to bring attention to the problem of cybersquatting on trademark protected domain names, we regularly publish a list of some of the many cybersquatters on high visibility domains.   

If you want to know what a cybersquatting site might look like on your domain name, just check these links out below (assuming Microsoft hasn't forced these domains transferred to them by the time you read this post) and decide for yourself who is infringing Microsoft's trademarks.

• http://www.microsftcom.com/ --   (Registrant Domains By Proxy).  --  This domain is listed for sale for $10,000.00 at Sedo.
• http://www.www-microsoft.com/  --  (Registrant Info Here).  --  Directed to a Microsoft gold partner http://www.verio.com/ at the time of post).
• http://www.microsofty.net  --  (Registrant Info Here).

Let us know what you think?  Cybersquatters or legitimate registrations? View more post on Cybersquatting Spotting here.

Domain Dispute And Cybersquatting Lawyers

Domain Name Attorneys: Our Internet lawyers specialize in cybersquatting matters, stolen domain names, domain name disputes and domain theft.  If you are the victim of domain name theft, have had your domain name stolen from you or need a lawyer to help you with a cybersquatting issue, our attorneys can help. Contact us today.