Vlad Tenev files lawsuit over domain VladTenev.com after losing previous cybersquatting complaint.
Robinhood Markets CEO Vlad Tenev has filed a lawsuit to try to gain control of the domain name VladTenev.com.
Libin Zhu registered the domain name in October 2025 and listed it for sale for $16,800.
In January, Tenev filed a cybersquatting complaint under the Uniform Domain Name Dispute Resolution Policy (UDRP) to try to get the domain name. The panelist in that dispute ruled that Tenev didn’t have trademark rights in his personal name. The bar for proving trademark rights in a personal name in a UDRP is typically high.
After losing the UDRP, Tenev filed a U.S. trademark application for his name. That application is pending.
So Tenev, along with Robinhood, filed suit (pdf) in California under the Anticybersquatting Consumer Protection Act.
The lawsuit paints Libin Zhu as a serial cybersquatter, noting that he has lost many UDRP cases involving famous brands such as Meta and Gucci.
Duane Morris LLP is representing the plaintiffs.
ACPA is draconian legislation, a pure giveaway by the Clinton Administration to the trademark lobby, imo. It may be an unconstitutional infringement of free speech. The domain could legitimately be used for a website *about* Tenev, as long as there is a clear and conspicuous disclaimer it isn’t affiliated with him (not to mention by or about some other Vlad Tenev, of course).
Except that it’s not a website about Tenev; it was listed for sale
How can someone purchase it for legitimate use if the owner won’t sell? I don’t know what else might have been on the sale lander but just advertising the domain for sale, with or without a price, doesn’t hurt Tenev in any way which justifies legal recourse, imo.
It shows that it was likely purchased by the current person because of the fame of Tenev’s name.
So what? Millions of people profit off the fame of others, by writing about them or whatever. I don’t think Emma Stone, John Malkovich or Al Pacino have claimed they have a legal right to “their” domains (whether or not they do under ACPA). Rand Paul didn’t sue, if I’m not mistaken, but agreed to pay $100,000 for RandPaul.com.
Don’t you think it is just better to buy the domain since he has so much money and the attorney cost is more than $20K…?
I guess it is more of an ego issue.