Internet and Domain Disputes

The internet is an incredibly valuable resource that has many positive aspects in our society. However, as many know, the prevalence of the internet can also cause some additional challenges. Businesses in all industries need to have an online presence if they want to succeed in today’s competitive market, but there are many obstacles they may face online, including having their IP infringed on.

Trademarks are how businesses identify themselves, which includes on the internet. When these characteristics are associated with your businesses, you want to ensure they’re yours alone to use freely. One important part of your business’s online identity is its domain name.

You can’t risk your business’s reputation by allowing others to claim its trademarked name or one extremely similar and use it for themselves. At Emerson Thomson Bennett, our intellectual property attorneys can assist with internet and domain disputes. Additionally, we work with those accused of infringing on another’s intellectual property by claiming a certain domain name.

WHAT IS A DOMAIN DISPUTE?

A domain name dispute can occur if someone claims the name of a trademarked business for their domain name or one that’s similar enough to mislead users. While using a business’s trademarked name as a domain name may be a simple mistake, this is done in bad faith far too often. Some may intentionally claim businesses’ names as domain names to make a profit or intentionally harm the business. Whatever the situation may be, solutions are available.

At Emerson Thomson Bennett, we know how important it is to have control over domain names containing your business’s trademarked name. If you find out that someone has used your trademarked name for their domain name and may threaten your business’s reputation, you need ETB. Our domain dispute attorneys can assist by sending or responding to cease-and-desist letters as well as representing clients in arbitration through the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) and federal court or Uniform Domain Name Dispute Resolution Policy (UDRP) proceedings.

Domain name disputes are one more example of why it’s critical that you take the proper steps to protect your business’s identifiers, such as its name. If you haven’t trademarked your business’s name yet, our trademark prosecution attorneys can help you ensure that your business’s identifying characteristics are protected.

PROTECT YOUR DOMAIN NAME WITH EMERSON THOMSON BENNETT

Your domain name falling into the wrong hands can have a severe negative impact on your business. Many internet users could be misled into believing a domain belongs to your business, but if someone else has claimed that domain name, you have no control over what they put on that website. How your business conducts itself online is increasingly important, and you can never be too careful when it comes to protecting your intellectual property online.

When someone accuses you of infringing on their intellectual property, it’s essential that you have legal representation that can protect you. Our attorneys also work with individuals who have been accused of infringing on intellectual property, such as domain names.

If someone has infringed on your intellectual property by claiming your business’s trademarked name as their domain name, don’t wait to take action. Contact the domain dispute attorneys of Emerson Thomson Bennett today for assistance.