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Scam Alert II Domain Hijacking
here's a frightening new they'll pay to keep them from
batch of scams going around being associated with that type
now that can damage your of material.
reputation as domain "squatters"
steal your domain name. It's obviously safe to say that
it's not appropriate to pop those
There are a number of ways the kinds of images into people's
"game" is played. The first is faces while they're looking for
entirely legal, if more than a info on a completely different
little questionable. In this topic.
version, the name of a city or
geographic area is grabbed by a That's where the pressure on the
domain squatter and pointed to... cities comes from, and why this
"sites that you wouldn't want is such a disgusting scheme.
your children visiting."
In essence, the domain squatter
(We chose that term to avoid says: "Pay us, or continue to
getting caught in a lot of spam watch as your city's reputation
filters for the use of the word suffers."
"p-o-rn.")
Many would call this blackmail...
A prominent notice is placed on
the sites, offering them for sale ~~~
at prices that range from $2500
to as much as $500,000! The second variation on the theme
is not always legal. When someone
The idea here is that city takes a trademarked name (or
officials will feel that enough variation of the spelling of one)
damage is being done to the or a famous person's name, and
reputations of their towns that does the same thing.
size="-2">http://Cronkite.comFor trademarks or close nt> and did the same thing,
variations, there's a specific Walter Cronkite would have no
procedure for addressing the recourse. It would be very hard
problem. (See the resource to demonstrate that Steve
section at the end of this registered the domain in bad
issue.) faith. And if Steve's son's name
is Walter, the same is true for
For the names of famous people, there MAY be a remedy. But, it href="http://WalterCronkite.com"
can be tricky -- and expensive. title="http://WalterCronkite.com"
target="_blank">For example, if someone named color="#001000"
John Jones registered http://WalterCronkite.c
href="http://WalterCronkite.com" om.
title="http://WalterCronkite.com"
target="_blank">color="#001000" likely to be typed into a browser
size="-2">http://WalterCronkite.c when people are looking for
om and pointed it to information on you, you should
one of "those" sites, Walter consider getting both the .com
Cronkite could probably force the and .net versions of the domain
domain away from him. if they're available.
However, if someone named Steve It will cost you a few bucks to
Cronkite registered href="http://Cronkite.com" assuming you win, will cost you
title="http://Cronkite.com" hundreds -- if not thousands --
target="_blank">color="#001000"
And there's no guarantee you'll is often done by finding out the
win. most common misspellings of the
real domain name or trademark.
~~~
Watch for people doing this with
A third version is a bit more your domain.
benign. It's common among members
of affiliate programs. ~~~
In this version names very close Here's the worst version of this
to, or even including, the -- and it can hit anyone if they
trademark are registered. The have enough traffic and don't pay
sites are created to drive close attention to when their
traffic to the affiliates' URL at domain registrations expire.
the main site.
In this situation, someone grabs
This may or may not be acceptable expired domain names and points
to the affiliate program owner. them to "those" kinds of sites.
If it is, it's a good technique This is a "no lose" for the
for getting traffic. If not, it hijacker, as they will profit
could get you into hot water. from the traffic even if the
Check with the owner of the previous owner doesn't pay the
trademark before doing this. requested ransom for the domain.
Less benign is an alternative The more traffic the URL gets,
version of this technique where the greater the clickthrough
someone grabs domain names that value to the hijacker. This means
are close to the trademark of a more potential damage to the
competitor and uses them to grab original owner -- and a higher
competitor type-in traffic. This ransom to get it back.
for taking domain names that are
In effect, your own popularity is being used in violation of a
your worst enemy in this case. trademark, see
The solution to this one is href="http://wipo2.wipo.int/proce
simple -- and very important: ss1/index.html"
Don't let your domain names title="http://wipo2.wipo.int/proc
expire! ess1/index.html"
target="_blank">Useful Resources: color="#001000"
If you find yourself a victim of size="-2">http://wipo2.wipo.int/p
domain hijacking, there is hope rocess1/index.html
for correcting the problem.
For information on taking action
For a more formal explanation of under the Anti-Cybersquatting Act
the legal aspects of this (A US law that provides for
problem, visit damages in addition to the less
href="http://www.llrx.com/congres s/100200.htm" href="http://www.domain-name.org/
title="http://www.llrx.com/congre cybersquatact.htm"
ss/100200.htm" title="http://www.domain-name.org
target="_blank">color="#001000" target="_blank">size="-2">http://www.llrx.com/con color="#001000"
gress/100200.htm size="-2">http://www.domain-name.
org/cybersquatact.htm
For specific information on the
UDRP (Uniform Domain Name Dispute If you have a famous name or
Resolution Policy), the procedure trademark, the best defense is to
make sure that you register the Protect yourself. Scammers come
main variations in both the .com up with new schemes all the
and .net form. The .org is time...
probably only necessary if you
are heavily involved with So, keep your eyes open.
charitable activities.
About the Author:
Douglas Miller is a retired fire service captain, now making a living working from home. His company Hundred-Fold-Life is not just a name but also a belief. To learn how to find the best home based business ideas and opportunities so you can work at home visit: http://www.ClixGo.com
Read more articles by: Douglas Miller
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