UN Says Cybersquatting' on the increase

[mandy]

The UN copyright agency on Wednesday reported a 20 percent jump in "cybersquatting" complaints last year, coming mainly from technology firms, trendy fashion brands, Hollywood stars and sports personalities.

The agency registered 1,456 complaints for cybersquatting - or abusive registration of trademarks as Internet domain names - and the practice appears to be on the rise...

Cybersquatters often demand great amounts of money for the sale of Internet sites to people or firms with registered trademarks, Gurry said....

full article: http://www.int.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=1&click_id=31&art_id=qw1138206426365B252

[mandy]

A related article:

Cybersquatting the domain name of a celebrity and selling it for a king's ransom was one of the great get-rich-quick schemes of the early internet. But since courts now tend to favor the star over the squatter, a new kinder, gentler cybersquatting tactic has emerged.

These days, cybersquatters seek to register a star's domain before that person becomes famous, and then develop a business relationship with the new celebrity, offering website hosting or design work.

These so-called soft squatters are registering the domains of hundreds of amateur athletes, musicians and other would-be stars in the hope that one or two of the names will become well-known.

full article: http://www.wired.com/news/technology/int...n_index_10

related topic:
Grunge Rockers Pearl Jam Win Internet Domain Name Dispute
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