Flood

Cybersquatting: Profession and More

9 April, 2011

With the development of the Internet, there are more and more opportunities to earn money. One such method is cybersquatting. This term refers to the speculation on domain names, which allows individuals to register and resell them for profit.

Cybersquatters are people who register domain names that could be in demand in the future and sell them at a higher price. The process involves the following aspects:

  1. History and Present: Cybersquatting began in the 1990s when people started registering popular domain names to sell them later at a higher price. Over time, many well-known names were taken, contributing to the development of cybersquatting.
  2. Categories of Cybersquatting:
    • By Industry: Registering domain names related to types of services or products is the most profitable form of cybersquatting.
    • Geographical: Based on registering domain names related to names of towns or other geographical locations.
    • Typosquatting: Speculation on errors and typos in domain names.
    • Brand-based: Involves registering domain names that contain or resemble brands.
  3. Main Strategies of Cybersquatters:
    • Choosing and Registering Domains: Based on forecasts that names will be in demand in the future.
    • Reselling: Selling domain names at a higher price after registration.
    • Market Research and Trends: Monitoring search trends and statistics to determine the potential value of domain names.
  4. Legal Aspects: While cybersquatting is not prohibited, there are restrictions regarding the use of names that are identical or similar to protected trademarks or names. Brand owners can take legal action to protect their rights.
  5. Regery Services: Cybersquatters often use services like Regery to check domain availability and manage their portfolios. Regery provides tools and services for domain registration, management, and domain security.
  6. Risks and Opportunities: Cybersquatting can be profitable but is not without risks, including potential legal disputes and changes in legal regulations.

Thus, cybersquatting is an interesting and highly specific profession in the world of the Internet, requiring resourcefulness and attention to detail.