Domaining vs. Squatting

[Doughmange]

Through my research I have found that there are two schools of thought when it comes to the legitimacy of domaining.

One side will call it domain investing (DI), and the other side will call it squatting.

I understand that 'squatting' has a lot to do with trademarks and usage of an existing name, but when does domain investing not fall under the category of squatting?

- Is ownership and non-use squatting?
- If there is a .net owner and they miss an opportunity to buy the .com, and someone else buys it. Is that squatting?
- Who determines if a domain is in fact 'being squatted' (Local law??? Internet Police???)

Do I have to put up a website on every domain that I own just to legitimize my ownership of any domain?

I would like to know the answers to these questions before I start to buy domains that could possibly result in me losing money and getting in trouble.

 

[Cdomains]

This is a complex question.
The easiest way to go is to just try to avoid buying trademarked names and don't worry about the rest.
Every one has a different opinion about this, but we still buy and sell domains.

 

[Cdomains]

Do I have to put up a website on every domain that I own just to legitimize my ownership of any domain?

No, but if a company wants your name and tries to get it with a UDRP suit, it helps if your are really using the domain for a website and for a legitimate business purpose.