Check for Domain Likeness

Nov 8th, 2008 | By Dee | Category: Newbie Boot Camp

Any website owner knows how precious his domain name is. It provides a way for visitors to get to the site, and in the case of a business domain, it contributes to the company’s brand. That’s why we’re so careful to protect our domain names. We choose them carefully, mark the renewal dates on our calendars, and check to see who is linking to us.

When you have a popular website, it’s important to protect your traffic and good name. But if someone registers a domain name that is very similar to yours, he can profit off of the popularity of your site to your detriment. He could set up a site that looks like yours in an effort to scam visitors who mistakenly end up there. He could post derogatory statements about your business. Or he could simply set up a site that is filled with advertising in an effort to make money.

Checking for registration of domains similar to yours can alert you to such activity when it might otherwise go undetected. If you catch it early, you might even be able to prevent the domain from being used. Here’s what you need to do:

1. Make a list of common misspellings and typographical errors of your domain name. If you have trouble with the typos, type your domain name over and over quickly and you’ll probably find some that others might make.

2. Do a Whois check on all of these misspellings and typos. (You can find Whois information at http://whois.domaintools.com.) Also do a check on your domain name with other extensions (.net, .info, .us, and so on). Make note of any new registrations.

3. Type any newly registered similar domains into your browser’s address bar and see what comes up. Take screenshots of anything interesting you find.

Your recourse will depend on what you find on the site. If the domain owner has used your trademarked or copyrighted material in any way, you can take legal action. If he has set up a site intended to scam visitors, you can report his actions to the authorities.

If the domain name itself is not infringing on your trademark for the purpose of financial gain, the courts probably will not force the owner to relinquish it. Therefore there is little point in filing a lawsuit. But if your trademark is being exploited by the domain, you can take legal action. The first step is to send a cease-and-desist letter. If that does not produce results, a lawsuit may be warranted.

Checking for domain likeness is quick and easy. By taking the time to do so at least every couple of months, you can protect your brand and your website.