question I need an explanation on cybersquatting

Talking back about Philadelphia butter.
This brand was created more than 100 years ago.
But today we have internet and I dont agree with the fact that brand=domain.
Why I cant open a store in philadelphia city, name it Philadelphia Better Store and use the domain for my business if I dont say that I sell "philadelphia" TM butter?

https://www.rd.com/funny-stuff/dumbest-laws-america/
They must to add also the statement Brand=domain into this list of damn laws

Domain is just an address.. Then why not sue all butter store located on each streets names Philadelphia..
Or even more simple - sue all butter store in Philadelphia city..

Usa southern states have a lot of small towns named in name of big world cities...
Sue them all?

Michael Oje said:

I just want to know if it is wrong to register and sell the singular or plural version of an existing domain name.

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Without more information, no one competent can tell you.

Certainly, the incompetent are happy to do so.

In some circumstances, it is fine. In other circumstances, it is not fine.

mayazir said:

Domain is just an address..

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No, a domain is more than that, it can be a brand and not just a technical identifier. That's why people are suing over domain names.

Kate said:

No, a domain is more than that, it can be a brand and not just a technical identifier. That's why people are suing over domain names.

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it is just an address in internet..

Getting legal advice from a forum is a REALLY bad idea, as you can see from the replies.

That said, I was in your shoes once. My advice to you is do not reply to any electronic communication that this person or their lawyer might send you. If the person wants to truly pursue you legally because he really does have a case, then his lawyer will send you a letter in the mail.

Don't bother getting a lawyer yourself until you get a Cease and Desist letter (or similar) from their lawyer via Postal Mail. If his lawyer cannot figure out where to send the letter, then you probably have no worries.

What you are experiencing is, unfortunately, a popular tactic some people take to quash competition or to get a domain (they do not legally have the right to) for cheap or nothing. I'm not saying this is your case, but it could be and this is why you need to pursue this with a cool head and wait for postal correspondence and refrain from any electronic communication with the accuser or his lawyer BEFORE you take any legal action yourself or engage in any communications with them.

Also, just because someone trademarked a word, name, etc, it does not mean the TM will hold up in a court. Many people have had to drop their TM by court order when the TM was contested. Unfortunately, it takes money to contest a TM. But my point is just because they own a TM does not mean the TM was approved by the USPTO properly in the first place. The USPTO does not check all legal angles before approving a TM, therefore some TMs actually hold no legal value even though they are active and registered.

Michael Oje said:

...He has retained a lawyer who mailed me and wants to make a case. Please what can I do?

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I see everyone here has jumped with gusto straight into legal analysis of the case, but nobody responded to your question on what can you do. Let me be the first one to take that one. Short version: relax and do... nothing!

Heck, it's just a letter on a lawyer's stationary representing a client's standpoint. Nothing more, nothing less. So they have an opinion, think that you are cybersquatting, and they emailed you or even printed out a letter and sent you. So what?

What can you do at this juncture? Well, you can read what the lawyer says very carefully and then you can decide if you have something to contribute back on point, that is to refute his statement(s). However, this is advisable only if you have a good understanding of the law, UDRP process and what not, or have a specialist lawyer respond on your behalf. Judging by this thread here, your knowledge of the law is nil and you are not considering retaining a lawyer. So I would advise you to do nothing, that is ignore the email or letter altogether and move on, go about your life as if nothing has happened. Well, perhaps with one small change: learn from this experience and apply that to any future domain outbound efforts

@AbdulBasit.com
perhaps the first case

Michael Oje said:

I recently registered a plural domain (wasn't aware the singular version existed). I listed it at the marketplace and did outbounding. I later received a reply from one of the potential end users I reached (apparently the owner of the singular version), accusing me of cybersquatting. He offered to buy the Domain at $20 but I rejected. He has retained a lawyer who mailed me and wants to make a case. Please what can I do? Thanks as I await good responses.
Note: I've checked and the domain name) singular) is not trademarked.

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I see you're pretty new here, but I've been FALSELY accused of cyber squatting right here on the NamePros message board. If you send me a PM I'd be glad to share my personal experience. Thanks and have a great day.

Without knowing the domain, cannot say anything. Even with knowing, I can only give my personal opinion but nothing firm advice like an IP attorney can give. Since I've been hit with 4 UDRPs to date, I've got tiniest bit of learning experience in that way. Lost 2 (not responded), won 2 (responded with the help of an attorney and went with 3 members panel).

mayazir said:

it is just an address in internet..

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But is it worth the stress / trouble?

jberryhill said:

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Off topic, but this is where I live. Back to topic.