Trademark Law

It is becomming more common for cybersquatting and other malicious web site scammers try to pass off products and/or services  for the sole purpose of obtaining personal and financial information of web site visitors. 

These scam web sites look legitimate and bait consumers into registering or purchasing non-existent products or services.  Site visitors provide private information, and sometimes even credit card and social security information thinking the are on a legitimate site. These scammers use a technique known as phishing to effectively lure unsuspecting consumers into providing personal and financial information for nothing in return. Not only are consumers damaged, but the true business owner and domain name owner offering the legitimate website must usually conduct some damage control.

The Uniform Domain Dispute Resolution Policy can enable you to quickly, and relatively inexpensively, obtain the domain name that houses that harmful website. In particular, a scam site is quality evidence of bad faith, one of the three major requirements that a complainant must show in order to get the domain name in dispute transferred to him or her. In addition, phishing is not a legitimate use. Thus, as long as you can establish trademark rights in the domain name, you have a quality chance at success, and ultimately obtaining the other domain name.

If this sounds familiar, you should contact us today to discuss the likelihood of being able to shut down another?s scam site. Lawyers specializing in domain name issues and disputes, like us, can help identify the facts that must be present in order to succeed. Do not let a scammer ruin your business reputation.