Is typosquatting the real way to domaining riches?

[mole]

Researchers at Microsoft Corp. have blown the lid off a large-scale, typo-squatting scheme that uses multi-layer URL redirection to game Google's AdSense for domains program.

The scheme was uncovered when Redmond lab rats decided to extend its HoneyMonkey exploit detection system, a project that runs automatic and systematic Web scans to investigate the seedier side of the Internet.

With the new Strider Typo-Patrol System, the Microsoft Research Systems Management Research Group was able to track down a ring of typo-squatters registering misspelled domain names and generating traffic to serve advertising from Google.

Using five programmatic typo-generation models, the researchers pinpointed a series of domain-registration structures being used by "major typo-squatters" to steal traffic from some of the biggest Internet brands, including Amazon.com, Expedia.com and Mapquest.com.

The scheme was traced to Unasi Inc., a company registered in Panama. Almost all of the misspelled URLs found are parked with Oingo.com, a domain parking server owned by Google Inc.

According to data from Microsoft, domain names are being registered with deliberate missing-dot typos, character omission typos, character permutation typos, character replacement typos and character insertion typos.

For example, instead of the legitimate "www.microsoft.com," the domain "www.microsokft.com" has been registered and set up to redirect to another misspelled domain that currently serves up Google AdSense advertising for software products.

http://addict3d.org/index.php?page=viewarticle&type=news&ID=14860&title=Google%20to%20supports%20promoting%20scammers?!

 

[danBoT]

I don't think typo squating is a good thing. As i own typos but i aquired them for free or with a package of domains i bought never use them just let them site there with no site or some domains i point them to the real sites. I do this becasue if i had a real popular site then I would want someone doing typosquating to me.

 

[faisj]

I think that with typo squating the lost traffic of people who make a typo becomes
worth a revenue. This way stimulating different other internet projects..

 

[gazzip]

Is typosquatting the real way to domaining riches?

I have only 1 poker related typo that does nice and earns me more than at least 30 or so of my other names put together, I personally do not intend to buy any more as I don't really want to be faced with hassle over them. :yell:

if people can afford to pay good money for popular typos - ie Downlaod.com sold for $68,000 in a Pvt Sale 3/1/05 Donwload.com sold for $68,000 in a Pvt Sale 3/1/05 I suppose the answer to is typosquatting the real way to domaining riches I rekon it must be YES.

both of the above do not point to or seem as though they are anything to do with download.com

 

[Cheyne]

damn downlaod.com .. i end up there all the time its my most common typing mistake

 

[MCDomains]

damn downlaod.com .. i end up there all the time its my most common typing mistake

You and the world! It's the ULTIMATE non-trademark related typo.

 

[diddie]

pokre.com or porke.com (not sure) was also a good sale

 

[khuldun]

I dont think theres anything wring with owning a typo. If the name is available and is trademark free, why not use ur brains and cash in??

 

[john_karr]

What about praperty.com that a mispell too?

 

[RogueWriter]

Just to clarify this for the entire world: No, I, RogueWriter, do not wish to set my homepage to Munky!!!

I get tired of running into that stupid page!

 

[TUFKATH]

It is a smart thing to do. It isn't illegal and it makes money, so why not?

 

[peter phillips]

It may not be illegal but it's not legal also. Generally, legitimate websites are created by hundreds or even thousands of skilled people for the intention of selling a product. These sites cost millions of dollars and are heavily promoted. A typosquatter is draining clicks from a legitimate website.

 

[AdoptableDomains]

Is typosquatting the real way to domaining riches?

Probably one of them, along with porn, gambling, etc. The seedier side of the internet can be profitable if you are willing to sell out your reputation. It may be legal, but I think there is a legitimate question of whether it's ethical. In the case of Microsoft and other brand names, it's probably illegal as well in regards to TM.

 

[TUFKATH]

It may not be illegal but it's not legal also. Generally, legitimate websites are created by hundreds or even thousands of skilled people for the intention of selling a product. These sites cost millions of dollars and are heavily promoted. A typosquatter is draining clicks from a legitimate website.

I still strongly disagree.

If they are so darn concerned about these typos then they should be smart and reg the best ones themselves first. If they missed out then spend some money buying the typos from those people who own them. I don't think it should be illegal in the least bit.

 

[MCDomains]

I still strongly disagree.

If they are so darn concerned about these typos then they should be smart and reg the best ones themselves first. If they missed out then spend some money buying the typos from those people who own them. I don't think it should be illegal in the least bit.

Exactly. The smart companies do exactly that. They even reg possible negative sites like VerizonSucks.com for example.

See this article about Verizon going after 2600 mag for registering VerizonReallySucks.com - http://www.wired.com/news/business/0,1367,36210,00.html

They failed since 2600 wasn't looking to profit, so the CyberSquatting law didn't apply!

 

[mole]

It seems we will need to leave this to the lawyers or WIPO to decide. Parasites have been with mankind since the dawn of civilization, so its natural to expect this in domainland.

 

[billinchina]

I do this becasue if i had a real popular site then I would want someone doing typosquating to me.

I think that's a good point. Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. I assume you meant, "then I would not want someone doing typosquatting."

 

[MichaelV.]

this is a tough one...

one side of me says its ok, because the person typing, should realize the mistake, and correct it...

the moral side of me, says no, because its just wrong

but i dont own, and never will buy typos, so i guess i know which side of me won

 

[TUFKATH]

I think that's a good point. Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. I assume you meant, "then I would not want someone doing typosquatting."

We're not all big companies like microsoft. Some of us do what we can to succeed in life.

 

[AdoptableDomains]

I really haven't even seen anyone sidestepping the term "typoSQUATTING" in this thread. Just use of the term would indicate you are "squatting" on something that is rightfully someone else's in some sense. Even with that there are in my opinion different degrees of typosquatting or for those in denial, "typo-development" or "typospeculators".

Probably the worst are those who try to sell the typo to the non-typo owner. They ususally lose in a UDRP filing. Then there are those who get typos to directly compete with the non-typo owner. Like sending a verizon typo to an affiliate of sprint or cingular. Not quite so bad, would be sending a microsoft typo to a site that sells MS software. At least MS is getting sale from the typo, even if paying a portion to the typosquatter. I suppose the next degree would be those that just collect for pure traffic, hoping the poor typist will buy something else and get them a click pay without regard to even if the links are related to the domain at all. Unfortunately, a lot of the porn-peddlers are in this group, and even give them a bad name.

Keyword being Intent.