Cybersquatting in the Domain Name Industry

[kev]

Hi everyone,

I'm currently conducting research into this area which will form part of my final University degree classification later this year, so I was wondering if you could spend 5 minutes of your time to take part in this survey, aswell as offering any of your own personal insight into this area in the thread.

Everyone knows cybersquatting is still a big problem in the industry and as part of my research, I intend to find out what we all think of this. I also hope to gather views on Reverse Domain Hijacking and the introduction of the new gTLDs later this year.

Anyone who reads Rick Schwartz's blog will realise how Reverse Domain Hijacking is becoming a problem in our industry. But is it a problem that affects us all? Have you had your domains unfairly taken for supposed breach of trademark? I'd love to hear your opinions :tu:

Here's a link to the survey

Hopefully this can generate a good discussion

Thanks all!
Kev

 

[.NJ]

Nice survey.

Hit on some good issues.

Good Luck!

 

[biggie]

:talk:

Hi Kev

i hope the title of your thesis/article isn't the same as the title of this thread


if anything, it should be about descibing the industry as a whole, from registration to propagation, to website development, expiring names, backordering, traffic and types of, generic, linked, etc. page rank, seo, google and roles they play inside and outside of ppc services, etc, etc


then go in to detail off a guideline from those areas.


cuz, domaining ain't just about squatting.

ya heard!

 

[kev]

:talk:

Hi Kev

i hope the title of your thesis/article isn't the same as the title of this thread


if anything, it should be about descibing the industry as a whole, from registration to propagation, to website development, expiring names, backordering, traffic and types of, generic, linked, etc. page rank, seo, google and roles they play inside and outside of ppc services, etc, etc


then go in to detail off a guideline from those areas.


cuz, domaining ain't just about squatting.

ya heard!

Most definitely.

I only have a limited word count though. I suppose I could write a book about this entire area if given the chance :tu:

But I totally agree that domaining isn't just about squatting. For example, 50% of the money I earn per year is from domain sales.

Did you all register trademarked names when you just started out? I know I did through lack of education. Even through my website, I have newbies sending me about 3 or 4 emails a week asking me to sell trademarked names to the trademark holder!

 

[twomoon]

Made it Nice questions!

 

[Dave_Z]

Even though I'm not into reselling domain names as others here are, I've long been intrigued by the practice. Thus, I decided to answer the survey as well.

IMHO Question #11 is quite loaded, hehe. Still, nicely-done survey.

 

[verbster]

Took the survey. Didn't care for the survey sign-up junk at the end.

 

[FPForum]

I went ahead and took the survey as well. Great questions on there!

 

[kev]

Thanks for all the responses so far. It's been fascinating.

Rick Schwartz has also offered his opinion on the survey and his insight is very interesting - especially with regards to Reverse Domain Hijacking.

Here's one of his quotes

"Reverse Domain Name hijacking is a despicable practice.
These are convicted corporate thieves.
Since there is no criminal penalty yet, we have to make it socially unacceptable by shining a spotlight on the companies and attorney's that are engaged in this act of attempted theft. It is not only theft of property but the dreams of small entrepreneurs, mom and pop type businesses that sometimes don't have the resources to defend themselves. "

I think what Rick has said here is very true - what does everyone else think?

 

[lincolndsp]

+1 for what Rick said

 

[Tribulatio]

Interesting survey, with good questions - I answered it too. Good luck!

 

[kev]

Thanks for all the feedback and survey responses!

I've had 22 responses so far. If a few more people can contribute, I'd greatly appreciate it :tu: