Squatted domain

Retrieve a .com squatted version of a .co.uk domain

[Smiley]

Any ideas how can I retrieve a squatted .com domain for a UK based company. The domain in question is being squatted by a company offering less that legitimate services through the domain. Making matters worse the whois reveals the contact to be based in the Virgin Islands and this contact wants an unrealistic price for the sale.

Would be grateful to hear from others with similar experiences.

Smiley

[IanTurner]

I am in the same situation with two domains, we can't afford to pay the asking price.

There is very little that you can do unless the squatting is blatant and playing on the companies registered name and trademarks.

Even then expect a potentially long drawn out legal battle. (It would probably be cheaper just to pay the asking price)

[toolman]

Why bother? Why waste valuable time. Look at all the spammers out there making money with two-bit sites on ridiculous domain names like inter-galactic-cruise-ship-travel-vacation-hotel-room-rates.org

Seriously. It's the guy in first place who wins, not the one with the slick domain name. Joe Surfer really doesn't seem to care as long as it's the best deal on what he wants and the site is usable.

[IanTurner]

It depends on how important your company name is there are many companies in the UK who value their name very highly. (I can't even afford to walk into their premises in most cases)

[Hunter]

Smiley,

how can I retrieve a squatted .com domain for a UK based company

Personally I would just get creative and think up a .com domain that is very close to my .co.uk and is available now for a decent price ($9 a year). I have more .com variations than i know what to do with...you either have money or you have time.

[Smiley]

Thanks for your replies - looks like I will have to get the domain down to realistic price or just forget about it. The domain in question is the company’s trading name but the asking price definitely going to be less than legal fees.

I am perplexed why some people put so much time and effort into spamming for profit online. Surely doing business in a legitimate way would be far more fulfilling and more beneficial for them in the long term!

Thanks again for your help,
Smiley:-)

[bernstein]

I have a similar situation. If I'm in the states and the squatter is in poland, are there any chances for legal action?

[IanTurner]

Yes you could take legal action against the central registration authority ICANN, but first I would read this:

[icann.org...]

[bernstein]

I know I would win the dispute. I'm sure the squatter would not respond. The question is would I be able to get my fees back from him, since he's in Poland..

[IanTurner]

It is unlikely that you would get fees back from anyone in eastern Europe. There are a lot of scams coming from that part of the world.

[bernstein]

That's what I figure..
Anybody had similar difficulties? Any comments appreciated

[Crush]

I Live in Poland...hey maybe it is me?

Things are not too bad here. I am British and I do business here. Things seem to function at a resonable level of leaglity.

[bernstein]

I know Poland is a normal country. What I meant was the distance between the States and Poland. I doubt there is a practical way of getting back your attorney fees from an individual in Poland (not even a company).

Or am I wrong?

[Crush]

Hi

All a question of economics...how much is it worth to you?

Courts seem to take forever here..so by the time it comes to court I guess your domian will not be that valuable...

[Lisa_Lia]

Well, there are a few ways to attempt this.

1) email them asking for the domain back, let them know they are infringing on your trademark.

2) Have a legal letter sent to the squatter stating that you want the name turned over. Offer to compisate like $100.

3) Email abuse@(their ISP), depending on the Registrar call them. If it is NSI don’t bother.

4) File a udrp complaint.

5) Call them and offer to settle before your next step of legal action

6) Go Legal on them