Users' questions 

Is it legal to buy domain names?

Leia Doyle

Is it legal to buy domain names?

When is it OK to buy up an expired domain name? Cybersquatting, the practice of buying up a domain in order to profit from a trademarked name, is prohibited under the 1999 Anticybersquatting Consumer Protection Act as well as a set of international guidelines called the Uniform Domain-Name Dispute-Resolution Policy.

Is domain name speculation legal?

The decision contains the key sentence “Generic terms receive no protection in US trademark law when they are used to label the goods and services that they describe.” Cybersquatting was first used as a legal term in March 1998 by a U.S. District Court in California in the case of Avery Dennison vs Sumpton.

Is domain grabbing legal?

Domain grabbing refers to the practice of registering internet domains with the intention of selling the ownership rights rather than keeping them for their own personal use. Because of this, domain grabbing does not usually violate trademark law. …

Is domain name squatting legal?

Buying and selling real estate is considered an investment, while domain squatting is illegal. If a domain squatter can’t prove a legal intent in owning the domain name, it is considered to be a bad faith registration, and he or she is considered guilty of domain squatting.

Is Domain Squatting profitable?

Despite the many different legislative acts and laws in place around the world, domain squatting still plagues the Internet. The fact is, domain squatting can be a very, very profitable business.

How much can I sell a domain name for?

Realistically a domain name can be worth any amount but most domain names sell for around $5,000 to $20,000 – premium domains, category killers and short domains however can easily command $100,000 or millions depending on a wide number of reasons.

Can you be forced to give up a domain name?

For the mark holder to force transfer of your domain name they would have to pursue an administrative proceeding via the UDRP or file a federal lawsuit under ACPA.

How do you get a domain someone is sitting on?

You can buy a domain that is taken by following these steps:

  1. Check what the domain is currently being used for. Your first step should be to visit the domain you want to buy.
  2. Find out who owns the domain name.
  3. Determine what you’re willing to pay.
  4. Contact the owner.
  5. Negotiate the purchase.

How do I stop someone from using my domain name?

What to do if Someone Registers a Domain Name Infringing on Your Trademark

  1. Buy the domain name infringing on your trademark. The simple solution is to buy back the domain name.
  2. Cease and desist.
  3. Domain name dispute resolutions.
  4. Take it to court.

Is domain Flipping dead?

The days of quick profits from flipping desirable domain names are dead and gone. The heady days of speculation, seven digit sales and overnight millionaires that typified the domain name bubble, have sadly passed.

How do I know if my domain name is valuable?

7 steps to narrow down your name search in the domain aftermarket

  1. Buy what you know.
  2. Check domaintools.com.
  3. Check archive.org.
  4. Look up previous sales by keyword and TLD.
  5. Consider variations on a domain that you’re thinking of selling.
  6. Check the name’s popularity in Google search results.
  7. Stay away from trademarks.