Microsoft prepares the big guns for typosquatters

[Keynes]

Microsoft's Strider Typo-Patrol system is evolving, and soon will be availiable to TM holders. This is a big shot at TM-typo-squatters, and could mean the beginning of the end to a shady industry. Thoughts?

Check it:
research.microsoft.com/Typo-Patrol/

 

[fonzie_007]

It wouldn't bother me much if there was greater control over restricting typo domains. IMO, they detract from the web.

 

[B33R]

I just love to see people moaning and crying after they get owned for trademark infringement! :lol: It's your own fault!!!

/me waits for everyone to quickly try and sell off their typos...! :hehe:


DOWN WITH TYPO SQUATTERS!!!

 

[matt_bodis]

Yeah but it is not fair to be sued for having a typo domain. I mean, if you have MySpacce.com and MySpace.com requests to give up the domain, then okay I understand that.

Although, suing for damages? I mean, come on, these are multi-billion companies and they worry about typos that get a few hundred or thousand visitors per month, or maybe not even a hundred.

People make a living like this to support their families. People rely on this and only this for their revenue.

I don't think this Microsoft project will ever get anywhere by the way.

 

[fonzie_007]

Although, suing for damages? I mean, come on, these are multi-billion companies and they worry about typos that get a few hundred or thousand visitors per month, or maybe not even a hundred.

It really comes down to a business decision. Will companies save more money from enforcing TM and typo issues than if they just let them be. My guess is that in 95% of the case it will be more cost effective just to let things be.

EDIT: corrected typo.

 

[mike_d]

It reall comes down to a business decision. Will companies save more money from enforcing TM and typo issues than if they just let them be. My guess is that in 95% of the case it will be more cost effective just to let things be.

True. Perhaps if these companies had been sensible enough to register the common typos in the first place they wouldn't have the problem. But I suppose it makes them feel better to beat their chests once they realise they've messed up rather than try to solve the problem...

 

[gazzip]

It really comes down to a business decision. Will companies save more money from enforcing TM and typo issues than if they just let them be. My guess is that in 95% of the case it will be more cost effective just to let things be.

EDIT: corrected typo.

I agree, not worth the time, money and effort in many cases - at least typos going to a parking page with related links is better than going to a blank page - in my opinion anyway.

.

 

[GoPC]

Typos are in danger? OMG.

Anyone want to but msfrocito.com (microsoft typo)... I'll sell it CHEAP.

:D

GoPC

 

[Keynes]

Although, suing for damages? I mean, come on, these are multi-billion companies and they worry about typos that get a few hundred or thousand visitors per month, or maybe not even a hundred.

Well, it is important the entities, big and small, are able to protect their property rights. When people rely on typos, it provides an incentive to mooch off of the hard work of others, rather than having them direct their energy into developing new products/ideas which are actually a use to society. If people get to a blank page, at least they will have an instantaneous spelling lesson -- Spellbound!

 

[Dave_Z]

So much for some of the microsoft typos I got. (j/k :D)

 

[matt_bodis]

Well, it is important the entities, big and small, are able to protect their property rights. When people rely on typos, it provides an incentive to mooch off of the hard work of others, rather than having them direct their energy into developing new products/ideas which are actually a use to society. If people get to a blank page, at least they will have an instantaneous spelling lesson -- Spellbound!

Let's be realistic here. It is 2006, if you are still trying to get the world to be a "social" and "better" place, then you are completely lost.

If you were making $1000 or more off of a single typo domain per month, you'd probably be beyond satisfied with yourself and your domains. I'm sorry that you don't have such a business, and don't understand how good it can be to be in the domain PPC business.

 

[Keynes]

Let's be realistic here. It is 2006, if you are still trying to get the world to be a "social" and "better" place, then you are completely lost.

If you were making $1000 or more off of a single typo domain per month, you'd probably be beyond satisfied with yourself and your domains. I'm sorry that you don't have such a business, and don't understand how good it can be to be in the domain PPC business.

This is amusing, really -- the issue is the market functioning properly and defending property rights -- I said nothing about social niceties. IP rights play a crucial role in new media development, and I'm glad to see the stakeholders defending those property rights. If I were relying on TM-typos for my income, I certainly wouldn't be "satisifed" with the future prospects.

 

[verbster]

$242,400 for the typo "mortage.com"

 

[gazzip]

$242,400 for the typo "mortage.com"

That's alot - there have been loads of typos getting decent prices but that's the most expensive one I have personally heard of - where was it sold/posted ?

Although that one would obviously not have any TM issues.

.

 

[dgridley]

I wonder how this might affect my mrzilla[dot]com, which "could" be construed as a "Mozilla" typo.. I bought the domain here and it wasn't until recently I even realized that myself!

Companies try to protect their TM from dilution but obviously trying to cover all the bases from the get-go can be unecessarily expensive.. it's their right to sue those who infringe. Whether they will deem it cost effective or not remains to be seen.

 

[gazzip]

I wonder how this might affect my mrzilla[dot]com, which "could" be construed as a "Mozilla" typo.. I bought the domain here and it wasn't until recently I even realized that myself!

Companies try to protect their TM from dilution but obviously trying to cover all the bases from the get-go can be unecessarily expensive.. it's their right to sue those who infringe. Whether they will deem it cost effective or not remains to be seen.

I would think the "r" is way too far from the "o" to be classed as a typo ??

.

 

[samuelocean]

So how do they decide what is a typo and what is just another domain that happens to be close to a billion dollar company?

If the person that owns the typo uses that domain for a proper page he should be able to get away with it

 

[chimaera]

Microsoft can take their high and mighty "we patrol the internet" attitude and feck off in my opinion. It's down to the companies themselves to take action, not MS.

 

[verbster]

The "mortage.com" typo is listed on DNJournal's domain sales this week...highest typo sale ever.

 

[Humdizzy]

It's the American way to sue whenever you have anything that could lead to a valid case.