Will Squarespace Help Me Purchase A Registered Domain From Someone Else
If the domain’s registrar is Squarespace Domains LLC, we can help you contact the domain owner. To send a message to the domain’s owner and inquire about purchasing it, fill out this domain contact form.
If the domain’s registrar is Tucows, we’re unable to help you contact the domain owner to inquire about purchasing.
How To Claim A Domain Name And Secure Your Website Url
Did you come up with your company name and are working on your website? Reserve your name before someone else takes it! Heres how to claim a domain name and how to secure it.
Coming up with a domain name for your website can be confusing and time-consuming. Some people coin domain names from their names, but it does not always work well for businesses.
Once you have decided on a decent name, you need to claim it to prevent anyone else from taking it. You also need to protect it from possible disputes, trademark violations, and domain squatting.
The following guide on how to claim a domain name should help you understand the process.
Claiming a domain name requires strategy. Observe the following practices to invent an appropriate URL for your website.
What Are The Best Ways To Address Cybersquatting Being Committed In Another Country
If you are dealing with a cybersquatter outside the U.S., UDRP arbitration may be advisable. Through the World Intellectual Property Organizations Arbitration and Mediation Center, the dispute can be resolved regardless of where the parties are located in the world.
Generally, U.S. law cannot be applied to foreign defendants unless they have at least minimum contacts with the United States. Establishing jurisdiction would only add more complexity and costs to ACPA litigation .
Recommended Reading: Does Shopify Provide Free Domain
Take The Opportunity To Brainstorm A New Brand Name
You might be thinking this tip is a cop-out.
But theres a lot of value to this idea.
Let me explain.
Imagine two entrepreneurs have just created a search engine. The working name? BackRub.
But that could be easily confused with massage services. People dont normally associate search engines with the term back rub.
So these entrepreneurs choose another name, a better one: Google.
Thats rightthe worlds most popular search engine started its life as BackRub.
So if your perfect domain name is taken, it could be an opportunity in disguise.
Youll have to hit the drawing board again, but you can come up with a different, unique name that will stand on its own.
When Should I Seek Legal Help To Combat Cybersquatting
If someone has registered your name or trademark as a domain with a bad faith intent to profit, you can pursue a cybersquatting claim. Depending on your situation, you may not need to file a lawsuit or pursue arbitration. If, however, you are willing to pay the squatter the price they are asking for the domain, you do not need to pursue other legal remedies.
One of the important things to remember is that cybersquatting is only committed if done in bad faith. Just because someone registers a domain with your name does not mean they are trying to profit off your reputation.
For example, in the Sting case we previously discussed, the defendant was not trying to profit from the use of Stings name. He had been using the name Sting for online gaming years before registering the domain and had no intent to re-sell the domain to the musician.
You May Like: How To Make And Sell Domain Names
Arab Center For Domain Name Dispute Resolution
In 2013, ICANN approved the Arab Center for Domain Name Dispute Resolution as a new UDRP dispute resolution service provider. It is anticipated that the ACDR will open its doors somewhere in the beginning of 2014. The ACDR is a dispute resolution organization jointly established by the Arab Intellectual Property Mediation and Arbitration Society and the Arab Society for Intellectual Property . The ACDR will be established in Amman, Jordan, and will have competence to administer complaints with regard to the different gTLDs used worldwide. As soon as the ACDR becomes active, we will provide you with more information on its working.
For more information on .eu domain name disputes , see my previous blog post on How to claim back a .eu domain name?.
For more information on .be domain name disputes , see my previous blog post on Domain name disputes in Belgium: how to claim back a .be domain name?.
Do not hesitate to contact me for more information.
Consult With An Experienced Internet Attorney
If you have been targeted by a cybersquatter, it is best to discuss your legal options with an experienced attorney. The Internet attorneys at Minc Law can help you determine if you have a claim for cybersquatting and decide on the best strategy for proceeding.
I highly recommend the Minc Law firm. Not only were they knowledgeable, professional and timely in resolving my matter, but they were a pleasure to work with. Dan, Darcy and Melanie thank you for everything! My only regret was not engaging with the firm earlier.
E, October 3, 2021
Contact us to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation by calling 373-7706 or filling out our online contact form.
Also Check: Who Owns My Website Domain Name
I Received An Email Asking Me To Set Data Sharing Settings For My Domain
After registering a new domain, you’ll receive an email from customercare@squarespace.com asking you to set your data sharing preferences. One of our domain registrars, Tucows, requires that we send this email to comply with data regulations like GDPR. To view and edit that info, click the link in the email, or you can ignore it. Sharing your data is optional and your domain will work normally even if you don’t take any action.
An Introduction To Domain Disputes
As you can probably guess, a domain dispute occurs when multiple parties claim the right to use a particular generic top-level domain name. This includes .com, .net, and .org .
A common example is when one party is using a domain that contains a trademark owned by the other party. This practice is commonly known as cybersquatting. In these cases, people buy domains that correspond to brands they are not affiliated with in order to steal away some of their traffic.
Another related practice is typosquatting, where a person buys domains that are very similar to another with a slight variation in spelling. For example, a well-known phishing site used a variation on google.com, which meant they received plenty of traffic from users incorrectly trying to access the search engine.
There are numerous reasons people engage in these practices. Naturally, money is a significant factor. Back in the day, if you managed to buy a domain before the trademark owners had the chance to do so, you could sell it back to them at a higher price.
However, domain disputes can also arise for even more malicious reasons. For example, a user could buy a domain to inconvenience a particular brand, to compete with them, or even to impersonate them.
The domain dispute process was created to resolve these kinds of cases. It enables trademark holders to contest ownership of domains that are used by others by proving that they have a right to use the domain and that the other party is using it in bad faith.
Read Also: How Important Is Your Domain Name
Can I Remove The Www From My Domain
Yes. You can remove the “www” from your domain.
You can only remove the “www” from a Squarespace domain you already registered, and it must be set as your primary domain.
Unless you’re absolutely sure that you want to only display your naked domain, this isn’t always necessary. Without changing any settings, visitors can find your site with or without typing “www” before it. If they type “yourdomain.com,” they’ll be taken to your domain, and the “www.yourdomain.com” will appear. This is a fairly standard practice across the internet.
How To Secure Your Website Url
Domain security is vital not only for yourself but also for those who visit your website. People are aware of the risk of cyber-attacks. They are worried when opening websites to avoid becoming victims of hacking.
Some domain owners do not employ strict security measures when developing their website security policies. Unfortunately, poor domain management can result in irrevocable damage and a poor reputation for your business.
A hacker can alter the accessibility setting of your website if they can access your domain name control panel. Losing the domain name of your website can bring your business to a standstill. You can take several measures to safeguard your domain name from loss or theft
Also Check: Can Domain Names Have Symbols
Can I Transfer An Expired Or Expiring Domain Name
Domain names must be in good standing for transferral.
Attempting to transfer a domain that is on hold, expired, or expiring within 10 days can sometimes cause unexpected complications. If your domain is in one of those statuses and youre looking to transfer it, call our transfer team for assistance at 800-403-3568.
How To Grab An Expiring Domain Name
Michael CygerJune 19, 2011 | Updated: May 4, 2017297
Years ago, when domain names expired they would drop, or become available for hand registration by anyone. Whoever was the quickest to register a dropped domain would be the new registrant. That is how many of the largest domainers, like Frank Schilling, built their enormous portfolios.
Today, the story is different. Domain name registrars realized that they could auction expired domain names to the highest bidder and generate additional revenue. If no one wanted the domain names in an auction, the domains would then drop and become available for anyone to register. Much of the time, however, domain names are successfully auctioned.
Because auctioning domain names is not the core competency of most domain name registrars, they partner with an auction house.
Read Also: How To See Where Domain Is Registered
How To Claim A Domain Name Final Thoughts
Domain name security is perhaps not a priority for some website owners. However, it should be one of the first considerations to make when opening a website given the rate at which cyber-crime has risen. Hackers are becoming clever by the day, and you have to avert them before they strike.
New website owners should learn how to claim a domain name before launching their sites. They must also stay abreast of new internet security trends to keep their URLs secure. They should deter hackers with a combination of security measures to seal all loopholes.
Protecting your online brand, website, reputation, and domain is important If you need help with legal issues, an internet lawyer can help.
Contact Revision Legals attorneys with the contact form on this page, or call us at 855-473-8474.
How Long Does It Take To Transfer A Domain Name
Transferring a domain name is a quick process. Once youve completed a few steps , the rest of the process is taken care of by the registrars.
You can complete your portion of the transfer process in one sitting It only takes an hour or two, max, and thats being generous. Then, the registrars do their parts to complete your transfer which can take up to 5-7 business days.
Also Check: When Does My Domain Name Expire
Did Your Web Designer Put Your Domain Name In Their Name
You as the company owner should always be the registrant, administrative and technical contact of your domain name, not your web designer or marketing company. A website can be published without the web designer taking control of your domain name, although some web designers will say you have to transfer the domain name to them, which is not true. That’s like going to an auto mechanic to get work done on your car, and the mechanic says you need to transfer your vehicle’s title to him first!
Legitimate reasons why a web designer might hold onto your domain name:
- Their client specifically asked them to do so .
- You’re making payments for your website, rather than a lump sum, and in this case it’s perfectly appropriate for the web designer to hold on to the domain name until you’ve made all your payments for your website project.
- It’s more convenient .
- The person who designed your website may be inexperienced or lazy, so he’ll store your website files in his own personal web hosting account, or in an account where he stores files for other clients. This is a very bad practice and a huge privacy and security concern.
- They’re afraid you’ll poke around and cause errors on your website that they’ll have to fix
- The person who created your website can’t find your password, or they’re out of business, or they just don’t want to take the time to do it.
Uncovering Secrets With Dns
Every domain has DNS info that is public. You can browse this on many sites but I like to use leafdns.com. DNS is what points domain services to different servers like pointing your email to Google and your website to Bluehost. This may not tell you who owns your domain but it can tell you HOW your domain is being used which may be an important step in recovering your website files if youve lost those in addition to the domain. I often use this when Im on a call and a prospect doesnt even know where their site is hosted. It makes me look really smart!
Read Also: Where Can You Buy Domain Names
What To Do If Your Domain Name Isnt Available: 13 Strategies
Its part of the struggle of running a business in the digital age.
You come up with the perfect business name.
You design business cards, start all of the official paperwork, and tell everyone about it.
But when you go online to register the domain name, you discover something horrible.
Your perfect domain name is taken.
What do you do?
Do you give up your perfect name? Do you modify it somehow? Add a couple random dashes or underscores? Choose a weird domain name ending ?
Its one of the toughest situations to face as a business owner. It can bring your progress to a screeching halt.
This situation makes you rethink your entire brand.
The question remains: What do you do when this happens?
Ive gotten this question hundreds of times before, and Ive also heard some solutions to this problem.
Quite frankly, not all of those solutions are good.
Your domain name is a big part of any SEO campaigns you run, and it will affect your performance.
If you make a misstep with your domain name, it can negatively impact your SEO in the long term.
A large amount of your traffic will come from users who search your brand name. Its called navigational search. Thats why its good to use your brand name as your URL.
But if you cant, dont worry. There are alternatives that will still work for you.
Over the years, Ive seen what works and what doesnt. I want to share what Ive learned so you dont have to make any mistakes.
Wipo Arbitration And Mediation Center
WIPO : This arbitration and mediation centre of the World Intellectual Property Organisation provides UDRP dispute resolution services for the following gTLD domain names: .aero, .asia, .biz, .cat, .com, .coop, .info, .jobs, .mobi, .museum, .name, .net, .org, .pro, .tel and .travel.
The WIPO Arbitration and Mediation Center also provides domain name dispute resolution services for 69 country code Top-Level Domains . These include the following domain names .ae , .am , .au , .bo , .br , .ch , .co , .cy , .ec , .es , .fr , .ie , .ir , .ma , .mx , .nl , .pa , .pe , .ph , .pk , .pl , .pr , .qa , .ro , and .ve .
Finally, the WIPO Arbitration and Mediation Center provides domain name dispute resolution services for a number of third-level domain name registrations .
For an overview of the fees that apply to domain name disputes administered by WIPO, see here.
Recommended Reading: Do I Need Domain Protection
Notable Cybersquatting Examples Involving Celebrities
Around the turn of the millennium, several well-known personalities found themselves victimized by cybersquatters. This was a time when Internet usage was rapidly growing, yet not everyone recognized the value of owning their own domains.
Two prominent celebrities, Madonna and Sting, provide illustrative examples for the purposes of this post. They each fought for the right to gain the domains featuring their names but faced different outcomes.
Madonna Ciccone v. Dan Parisi and Madonna.com
In 1998, web developer Dan Parisi purchased the domain name Madonna.com for $20,000. He turned the website into an adult entertainment portal, but included a disclaimer stating the site was not associated with the singer. Madonna filed a UDRP claim, alleging that Parisis use of the name Madonna.com was a bad faith scheme to profit off her popularity.
The World Intellectual Property Organizations Arbitration and Mediation Center sided with Madonna. WIPO correctly determined, despite his suggestions otherwise, that Parisi purchased the domain solely to re-sell it to Madonna . The panel aptly observed that Parisi had utilized a cheese in the mouse trap technique to elicit buying interest from the artist by causing confusion amongst her fans, many of whom are minors, who would search for her fan page and wind up on a website displaying pornography.
Since Parisis registration and use of the domain was in bad faith, the domain name was ordered transferred to the singer.
Other Preparations To Make Before Filing A Udrp Claim
Before we move on to talking about the practical realities of submitting a claim, lets look at some a few other important aspects youll want to consider first.
First and foremost, youll need to be aware of the fees for submitting a dispute claim. For example, if you submit your case to World Intellectual Property Organization , one of ICANNs approved dispute resolution service providers, the cost will vary depending on the number of domains that are included in the claim. For 15 domains, youll need to pay $1,500, which is split between the panelist who deals with your claim and the WIPO.
Bear in mind that you will have to provide payment when submitting your claim. For that reason, you need to make sure you can pay the full amount before you proceed with any other aspect of the process.
You should also take some time to familiarize yourself with the UDRP rules. These rules outline all aspects of a domain dispute, and theyre used to determine the outcome. As such, you need to make sure that you understand and follow them throughout the process.
Once you have your case ready to go, with all the supporting evidence in place, youll be able to actually start the domain dispute. Lets take a look at how you can go about that.
Related: Didnt Buy a Domain with Dreamhost? Its Easy to Transfer
Read Also: How To Register A Domain Email Address