Hello,

I recently came across this term and find it a little vague. What happens if I decide to register 3 domain names and do not utilize them until a future date and someone comes along wanting ownership of one of my domains.

If, by chance, I will be accused of cybersquatting and I tell him/her that my intentions with the domain are not to cybersquat nor gain profit over another individual, but to utilize it in a future date. My reasons could be alot, for example:
-I am currently studying in a university and do not have time to publish the domains contents online
-I am currently studying and wish to make use of my knowledge after graduation with the domain name
-etc..

Would that still be considerred as cybersquatting?

It also does not make sense because many domain name companys allow you to register more than one domain name, even 100's of them. What will stop a customer from registerring a domain name and having a reason similar to one above or in that sense.

It will make more sense if domain name companys entitle customers to only one domain name.

Can someone comment over the above and the reasons stated above is very true and I am wondering if those reasons will still be considerred as cybersquatting.

Regards,

Christian

You might want to do some more research BEFORE registering more names. Cybersquatting is NOT a new thing, and you could probably find TONS of USEFUL materials on-line. In short, stay away from trademarks or famous brands.

What if I register a domain name even before a tradmark of the name has been established.

Do you know any online materials that I can look at?

What is the worst case that can happen when accused of cybersquatting? Will they ask you to give the domain up and that is all?

BTW, assuming I have domain names ready for registration, what steps can I do to make sure that I will not have any problems in the future?

First off, there is the so-called "first use" date which usually goes back at least months if not years before even a trademark application is filed. But the truth is how much power (or money) you have in dealing with those trademark owners. We all know that the legal system is NOT a fair and just one but very much depends on your ability to hire killer lawyer and/or to drag on the battle.

You probably won't need to go to jail. The WORST case scenario is to be found guilty by court for cybersquatting and fined a sum that makes you broke for the rest of your life. Having said that, you are more likely to be asked to surrender the name.

Originally posted by Kriz
BTW, assuming I have domain names ready for registration, what steps can I do to make sure that I will not have any problems in the future?
IN THE FUTURE? No one can tell the future without a crystal ball. :D

As I said earlier, avoid trademarks and brand names, even variations that make people associated with them. That's exactly the reason why the anti-cybersquatting statutes are in place.

Well how would I know if the domain name I would like to register is not already under a trademark?

To start with:

http://www.uspto.gov/main/trademarks.htm

Heres another question:

what if i have 2 sites that redirect to a third site, but the 2 sites have domain names that dont relate to the third site

Ex:

site 3: www.food.com
site 2: www.honda.it
site 1: www.cd.com

as you can see site 3 is the main site. site 1 & 2 dont have anything to do with site 3 but redirects to site 3 anyway.

This is just an example, obviously the sites are already registerred. I am wondering if this would be considerred as cybersquatting, because basically the other 2 sites have nothing and all they do is redirect to the 3rd site.

Cybersquatting PRIMARILY deals with DOMAIN NAMES, although the way you use a particular domain name like activating or redirecting it may be used as evidence against whether you register it in bad faith or not; but mostly, it's a name thing.

I looked in that site and couldnt find a trademark for the name I wish to register..

If by chance I register the domain name before someone gets a hold of a trademark of the name, will I be the legal owner of the site? Or ownership is most likely to go to the trademark holder even if the trademark name was registerred after the domain name was registerred.

Ok, anyways, is there a possiblility that I can email someone, maybe from ICAAN, to verify if my domain name could be considerred as cybersquatting or any issue that can jeopardize the future of the domain name I wish to register?