Cybersquatting personal names

[Adrian.]

A few years ago, one of the reseller websites picked up the expiring .com of my personal name. They immediately jacked the price up to $900, and I refuse to play this game with them.

I'm fairly confident this is classified as cybersquatting, according to the ACPA. How would I go about seeking arbitration?

 

[inforg]

Are you the only person in the world with this name? Why should you have exclusive rights to it over anyone else that spends the effort to get it?

Name type domains are not my thing, but unless you are a celebrity or have some unique name, you really have no recourse.

$900 for an aftermarket domain name isn't unreasonable. You should just buy it before some other person with the same name does.

 

[iowadawg]

True.....unlike one General Motors, there are thousands of people with the same name.
My own name has been regged since way back when and the guy that owns it has the same exact name as me.
Forget about the domain or pay the 900 bucks.
Or see if available in another extension.

 

[Adrian.]

You guys are all over the place.

No, the combination of my first and last name is not common. And no, there is not anyone with my name in possession of the domain in question. It's a re-seller website as I've indicated in the original post.

However, if you think $900 isn't "unreasonable" for something worth reg fee to less than handful of people at best; well, shoot me your e-mail address in a private message! I'm sure I could sell you a few domains!

 

[Recons.Com]

So are you a celebrity? If you are a regular person, that company made stupid decision going and reging regular name+surname combos, because overall it will never be profitable.

I have few brandables that happen to be last names (any pronounceable 4L seems to be someone's last name) and never had anyone contacting me asking to sell their last name. People are clueless about that kind of stuff.

When I tell over the phone my email [email protected] it takes few seconds for the operator to get that the domain and the first name are the same, as they keep waiting for domain name.

 

[inforg]

walks into a biker bar and complains about that jerk on a smelly Harley that wouldn't get out of his lane.

Then proceeds to tell them they are all stupid because they don't know anything about how motorcycles are supposed to work.

Yeah, we're the stupid ones.

Just reg it in another extension and put your brony site up there instead.

 

[hxp]

You guys are all over the place.

No, the combination of my first and last name is not common. And no, there is not anyone with my name in possession of the domain in question. It's a re-seller website as I've indicated in the original post.

However, if you think $900 isn't "unreasonable" for something worth reg fee to less than handful of people at best; well, shoot me your e-mail address in a private message! I'm sure I could sell you a few domains!

So go reg something else...

Domains are obviously a dime dozen for you.

 

[james haw]

my first and last name is not common.

"Not common" does not equal 100% unique.

I doubt you have a unique name so what others said is true. Is your name copyrighted or trademarked or famous? If no then its just a name like anyone else's.

$900 is the asking price and no laws etc broken in asking that.

Maybe it is way overpriced, just haggle or wait until it doesn't sell as its not a common name and then offer a low price, or reg fee if it drops.

As for them grabbing it from expired or dropped, that's how domains work. Very frustrating I know but if it means so much to you make sure you renew

 

[hxp]

Also;

cy·ber·squat·ting
ˈsībərˌskwädiNG/
noun
noun: cybersquatting; noun: cyber-squatting

1. the practice of registering names, especially well-known company or brand names, as Internet domains, in the hope of reselling them at a profit.

Are you a well-known brand/company? Is your name a registered Trademark? Does his use of the domain infringe on your brand, company, or TM?

I'm gonna guess, no. You're just Joe Schmoe, and you really want JoeSchmoe.com.

Don't throw that word around.​

 

[Recons.Com]

He is widely known in narrow circles...

 

[Manik]

Honestly, if you think your name isn't that common and the fact that the owner is cybersquatting then in that case don't buy the domain name. Let the jerk renew the domain name year after year after year. Remember the fact that even Bill Gates does not own his own name.

 

[golan]

 

[Candace]

Okay, I'm looking to learn valuable lessons here, I'm not looking for a crucifixion.

From what everyone has said, I'm gathering that unless your name is trademarked you do not have a case? I see celebrities mentioned, but does being a celebrity count if your name isn't trademarked? I mean Ted Cruz doesn't own TedCruz.com and there is nothing he can do right?

My brother wants his very english name for his online business. The name is popular in english speaking countries, but some random domainer from Korea owns the name. Sales price = $8400. I'm gathering that this is not cybersquatting because my bro's name isn't trademarked? Trademarking it now in the US will not make a difference because the domainer owned it before the trademark?

Do you think that it is better to stay away from well known names (like Barack Obama) and also from proper names in general?

 

[JayT]

Names are awesome brandables. Look at all the companies named after someone...abbott beretta cadillac dell ericsson ford gillette honda...the list goes on and on, you would be amazed. this is why names are valuable.

 

[WatchDogue]

Just a few well meaning suggestions:

Inquire and ask what their " absolute best price " is for the name you want ;
Send a one time top offer and ask to buy your name at that price;
Maybe, just maybe, try and trade one of your domains for the name you want.

You might be the one and only inquiry or offer for the name.

Never know unless you give it a try.

 

[Candace]

Names are awesome brandables. Look at all the companies named after someone...abbott beretta cadillac dell ericsson ford gillette honda...the list goes on and on, you would be amazed. this is why names are valuable.

True, but weren't all the examples you used the names of the people who founded the company? Although proper names make awesome brandables, would a company actually go out there looking for a name that has no relation to the founder of the company. I'd like to think that if I owned Michael.com then yeah, it'd be an awesome brandable because of the commonality of that name. On the contrary, if I owned lulixa.com (which unfortunately I do), it may not sell. Lulixa is a spanish proper name.

 

[DomainVP]

Simply put: Nothing you can do.

Pay the $900, if I could own my last name for that I would.

 

[ezcoms]

You guys are all over the place.

No, the combination of my first and last name is not common. And no, there is not anyone with my name in possession of the domain in question. It's a re-seller website as I've indicated in the original post.

However, if you think $900 isn't "unreasonable" for something worth reg fee to less than handful of people at best; well, shoot me your e-mail address in a private message! I'm sure I could sell you a few domains!

I love the entitlement attitude. The domain owner should bow down to your needs because you want to own it for less than they want for it is YOUR problem.

It looks like you are hard at comprehending what domain elders are telling you. I want my name. But, am I going to get it for a reasonable price? No. The likelihood of it expiring is non existent. Am I going to cry about it? No. I've accepted, if it's worth buying when time come, I better have the money. Would I suggest they are cybersquatting because I'm not getting my way.. Hmmm no..

Enjoy the tear soup.

 

[cjah09]

Out of curiosity... have you even contacted the owner of the domain to offer them what you feel is a fair price?

 

[Willox Perez]

Also;



Are you a well-known brand/company? Is your name a registered Trademark? Does his use of the domain infringe on your brand, company, or TM?

I'm gonna guess, no. You're just Joe Schmoe, and you really want JoeSchmoe.com.

Don't throw that word around.​

The thread turned into a roast of Joe Schmoe haha =-D

It is true though I do not like the word cyber squatting when it comes to first name and last name just make sure no trademark and you should be ok. The most common names are the best.

- Will