Top Tips in Domain Name Disputes

Because of the pandemic, the online marketplace has soared high that domain names become essential and in-demand commodities. There are lots of people that depend on their online businesses. And many have been building websites to serve as a platform to promote their products.

With thousands of new domain names registered every week, lots of pressure and disputes are typical. Your website should have a unique name to save you from experiencing Domain Name disputes, which is quite stressful. The tips below can help you deal with conflicts and give you an idea of how to handle it well and succeed in the end.

Most of the complainant in a domain name ownership disputes complain about the same domain name registered by someone else. It's because the domain name is similar to the complainant's trading name. Here are tips to avoid domain name disputes:

1. Combine a strong domain name registration and defense policy

This one varies from one company to another, but most of the time, it means:

Link together your trademark and domain name registration strategy.

2. Carry out trademark research before registering your domain.

Control your domains, so it will be owned by the right owner, and make sure the contact details are updated.

3. Do not overspend on a defensive portfolio of domain name registrations.

Keep a tight watch on domain names, so you will be alerted when someone registered a similar domain name as yours.

4. Ask help from a professional or your trusted friend

Getting help from the right person will increase your chance of winning the case. But it is not possible to ask for professional help for any reason. You can at least as a colleague provide honest feedback on your written statements, whether it is convincing enough.

5. Assess if the case is needed for a domain name dispute resolution procedure

Keep in mind that a dispute procedure is not done as a substitute for court action. The adjudicators stress this out again and again. Trademark infringement is not associated with abusive domain registration and the other way around.

6. Research the other party

Most of the time, you will find that the other party is also involved in domain name disputes in the past. And it can help you if you check how they treat the cases and if they succeed. You can get some help from this activity to determine if your dispute will succeed or not.

For instance, if the respondent could not defend the other domain name dispute cases, you can add it in your complaint. On the other hand, if you notice that the respondent has defended all the domain name disputes that he handles, think if it is worth filing a complaint or not.

7. Register several variations

If possible, register different variations of your domain name, common misspellings, and various extensions. Visitors of these different domains will be redirected to your official website. It will increase the people looking for your business and reduce the possibility of getting involved in a domain name dispute.

It is not a must to register all the possible variations of your domain. However, registering the most common is definitely worth investing in. If you are operating in several countries, concentrate on those you do most of your online business, or a high risk of third parties registering the same names, which can confuse the people.

8. Be careful of scam organizations

Misleading approaches about the domain name as well as trademark registration services is very stressful. Be very careful of companies contacting you offering such a service. There are lots of fraud services out there.