eBay tried to shoehorn a trademark dispute into a cybersquatting dispute. eBay has lost a dispute it filed to get control of the domain name BillionaireBay .com in a UDRP cybersquatting case. National Arbitration Forum panelist Nicholas J.T. Smith ... Continue ReadingLeave a Comment
Things people tell John Berryhill, and what he thinks about them
· Policy & LawAn attorney explains some questionable assertions domain investors make. Last week at the Internet Commerce Association meeting in Las Vegas, attorney John Berryhill discussed some common things he hears domainers say. Here's what he had to say ... Continue Reading3 Comments
Another web3 domain company applies for top level domain trademarks
· Policy & LawFreename wants to trademark stylized versions of .hodl, .airdrop and .moon. Freename AG, one of many initiatives offering blockchain-based domain names, has applied for U.S. trademarks for some of its extensions. The company applied for design ... Continue Reading1 Comment
More companies try to trademark top level domains
· Policy & LawIt won't work. The U.S. Trademark and Protection Office won't issue trademarks for top level domains, but that doesn't keep people from trying. For example, Unstoppable Domains has tried and failed to register marks for .blockchain, .crypto and ... Continue ReadingLeave a Comment
UDRP doesn’t settle trademark disputes
· Policy & LawTake your trademark disputes to court, not UDRP. Here's a reminder to lawyers thinking about filing a cybersquatting case: UDRP is not a place to settle trademark disputes. That's essentially what a dispute over SmartPrivacy.com is ... Continue ReadingLeave a Comment
Trademarks on blockchain domains – DNW Podcast #398
· PodcastsA look at brand protection on alt root blockchain domains. Tom Barrett, the president of Encirca, has been keeping on top of blockchain domains, especially concerning trademarks. His company recently launched AltRoots.com to help brands monitor and ... Continue Reading2 Comments
Reminder: you can’t trademark a top level domain in the U.S.
· Policy & LawIt's time for another reminder about a failed trademark strategy. With news of Unstoppable Domains' lawsuit filed week, and another couple of other entities applying to trademark blockchain top level domains, it's time for another reminder: The ... Continue Reading2 Comments
Unstoppable Domains threatens rival Handshake domain name
· Policy & LawA dispute between blockchain domain name owners is a preview of what's to come. Update: Unstoppable Domains has sued Gateway.io. Blockchain domain name company Unstoppable Domains has threatened to sue a Handshake domain name service for ... Continue Reading20 Comments
EU weighs new rules for geographic terms registered in country code domains
· Policy & LawProposal would establish a system to alert geographic mark owners and help them recover the domains. The European Union is considering creating a new cybersquatting system for country code domains managed in the Union. The proposed regulation ... Continue Reading1 Comment
What’s your duty to search for trademarks before registering a domain?
· Policy & LawThe answer is nuanced. You see a domain name in an auction that looks appealing. It's comprised of a couple of dictionary words. You're not aware of any trademarks that match it. At this point, what's your duty to check for trademarks before ... Continue Reading12 Comments
