Domain Name Disputes & Cybersquatting: ACPA and UDRP

The theft of your domain name can be devastating to your business. We know and understand because we have seen the damage it can cause to businesses. Even a momentary pause of a website can cause significant monetary loss and damage. Our firm is extremely well-versed and has actual experience in retrieving domain names through a variety of methods. We will analyze your case and determine which is the best method for retrieval.

Litigation Methods We Use

• Anticybersquatting (ACPA) claims in Federal Court
• Trademark Infringement claims in Federal or State Court
• Uniform Domain Name Resolution Policy (UDRP)
• Temporary Restraining Order
• Ex Parte Preliminary Injunction Order

Cybersquatting is registering, trafficking in, or using a domain name with a bad-faith intent to profit from the goodwill of a trademark belonging to someone else. If the domain name of your trademark has been registered by a third party in bad-faith, our firm can obtain the transfer of the domain name or seek damages. This is done by filing an Anticybersquatting Consumer Protection Act (“ACPA”) claim in federal court, or by initiating a Uniform Domain Name Resolution Policy (“UDRP”) proceeding with ICAAN. For additional information, see this article.

We also enforce and litigate cyberpiracy matters regarding the domain registration of individual and celebrity names without consent. These matters are typically prosecuted under California Civil Code 3344.

Sample Response Letter

Dear Michael,

The domain maksoudplaza.com is now registered with our Registrar (ICCAN certified) in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Please find attached the Verisign and AplusNet prints describing the current registration.

It was a real pleasure working with your office to recover possession of our domain, in a very objective and expedited procedure. We sincerely hope to host you at our Hotel Maksoud Plaza when you visit Brazil.

Very truly yours,

Paulo Patullo
Commercial Director
Maksoud Plaza Hotel
Sao Paulo SP
Brazil