No Sleep Media LLC

Let the squatters keep sittin’

I really agree with a lot of what Paul is saying here. (by the way I found the story through del.icio.us). For bare bones startups, it just doesn’t pay to pick a domain name that’s already taken, even if it’s just a squatter. All the names we considered for loopnote were available domains and we never once considered putting down cash to buy a taken one. I know there’s money to be had out there in the domain aftermarket but I’d rather rely on the philosophy that at the end of the day, good product and good content come first.

I am involved in a domain dispute in which a dot com domain name (our company name) has been deliberately purchased by a cyber squatter (for a considerable sum). We decided that there is no way we would pay this “criminal” an inflated amount of money for the domain and are seeking to get the domain name back via WIPO. http://www.wipo.int/portal/index.html.en
My belief is that domain name squatting should be outlawed. If anybody wants to register a domain, he/she should have a reasonable claim to that domain (in our case it is our company name, the name of our portal (presently dot net) and we now have a trademark accepted with the UK patent office (still waiting for the final publication/acceptance in 3 months time).
So my advice to anybody who wants to set up a brand, internet business or to register their business presence on the net is:
1. Register the name as a trademark
2. If you are a company, even better that your company is trading under the name chosen
3. Fight the squatters, take them to WIPO. Many of the squatters have block purchased domains and most only have search site listings using the domain.
4. The cost of the WIPO process is split between you and the squatter, if the squatter wants to fight your action (and you have good evidence for your claim) it will cost him/her time to put together a reasonable case to show WIPO why they should keep the domain as well as a couple of grand ($).

I am 100% sure that the case we have for the domain name for our portal will be successful with WIPO and that we will get the dot com domain. Commercially it will be worth it becuase we currently get 1.2 million uniques per month at our portal and with dot com in place we expect an increase of at least 10-20% in traffic.

Sorry I cannot give out any more details at this moment as the WIPO case has still yet to be heard. But, as soon as this is over I will add every detail and process that needs to be covered in such an action so that others who have legitimate claims to a domain name can get the domain.

Finally, I think a web site should be put together that lists significant domain holders and to show if they are a registered business and/or have a trademark for the domain. I guarantee you, if they do not, the chances are that it is difficult for them to prove that they have a legitimate use for the name (other than search listing/adsense type revenues).

Apologies for the length of this rant, but I hope it adds some value to the posting here at No Sleep Media.

BTW I came here looking for RAILS developers :0)

Paul

Shawpy 3.19.06 / 4am

Martin 3.19.06 / 10am

Interesting stuff, thanks for sharing this with us, Shawpy. I hope that things will work out for you, I understand that WIPO can be a lengthy process.

Just out of curiosity, were you hoping to find freelance Rails developers at No Sleep Media? Did you find us on the Rails Wiki?

Martin

Shawpy 3.20.06 / 3am

Martin, You are right. I found you on the Rails Wiki. I am at the early stages of seeking out developers and companies to work with (in the Rails environment and also Ajax). We have two key projects in the pipeline and are interested in either hiring freelancers or collaborating with companies on these projects. If you wish more details, we can take an offline discussion. (Use the email I gave).

I will keep everybody posted on the WIPO process and how to manage the process after our case has been heard.

mark 12.10.06 / 9pm

a cybersquatter paid a considerable sum for a trademarked name? then he/she is an idiot.

Let the squatters keep sittin’

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