The perils of cybersquatting and what you can do about it
The perils of cybersquatting and what you can do about it
Cybersquatting has been making headlines recently – and for good reason. The practice of registering domain names that mimic established brands has been on the rise in 2024, posing serious risks to companies of all sizes.
High-profile cybersquatting cases
Some recent cases highlight the stakes involved:
- Canva successfully defended its brand in a cybersquatting dispute involving 174 domain names. The company filed with WIPO in July 2023, and the ruling came in February 2024, in Canva’s favor.
- Mermet S.A.S., part of the Hunter Douglas group, faced two cybersquatting claims that were denied. The domains mermet.com and mermet.eu were ruled to belong to Didier Mermet, who was found to have legitimate interests.
- Even Google has been targeted, with cyber squatters registering variations like googledotcom.com.
These cases show that cybersquatting can impact any business, regardless of size or industry.
Why domain managers need to think about cybersquatting
If you manage dozens – or even hundreds – of domains, cybersquatting may not always be top of mind. Between renewals and everyday domain management, protecting your brand from squatters can easily get overlooked.
But when someone registers a domain that matches your trademarked business name, it can lead to lost traffic, brand confusion, and potential legal battles.
How to protect your brand from cybersquatting
- Develop a domain strategy: The first step is to register all domain names relevant to your brand or business, including key variations and common misspellings. Of course, registering all of them isn’t cost-effective, but if you have a strong domain strategy, you can purchase the most common misspellings in your domain before anyone else does.
- Use a trusted domain registrar: Choosing a reliable registrar, like Ilkari, ensures your domains are secure and properly managed. With features like auto-renewals and portfolio management, Ilkari helps prevent lapses and simplifies the day-to-day management of your digital assets.
- Secure your trademarks: Registering trademarks related to your domains strengthens your legal rights and gives you additional protection if disputes arise. This legal layer complements your domain strategy and reinforces your brand’s ownership.
- Train your team and create a playbook: Even with the right domains and trademarks, your brand can be vulnerable without proper internal management. Training employees who handle domains and creating a management playbook ensures consistent practices for renewals, monitoring, and security.
Training internal teams to manage domains can be challenging if they don’t have deep experience in the domain industry. That’s why many companies rely on Ilkari We often see brands reach out before their launch to establish the right strategy for securing their digital presence. Our domain portfolio audits help you and your team build a comprehensive domain management playbook, ensuring every aspect of your online brand is protected.
Remember, your domain is one of your most valuable digital assets – it sits at the very heart of your brand. If you’re unsure where to start, contact us via phone or email, and we’ll guide you in defending your digital territory and avoiding the risks of cybersquatting.
