CYBER SQUATTING

CYBER SQUATTING:

Internet addresses like www.thinkdigit.com are actually domain names that point to a particular server's location (IP Address). These domain names are purchased from a registrar. Once you purchase a domain name you can have it point to any server you like. Domain names of the names of companies and famous people are sometimes purchased with the intention of selling it back to the rightful owner, i.e., the person/company whose name the domain spells. Buying these names and sitting on them till you can sell for a high price is called cyber squatting. The culprits are called cyber squatters.

For example if someone buys the name www.pepsi.co.in, simply with the view of selling it back to Pepsi Co. for a higher price, that would be cyber squatting. There are no hard and fast laws about cyber squatting, but squatters are often taken to court and the domains recovered. Squatters hope that the prospect of legal fees will make the company simply buy the name off them. There is US legislation to protect companies against cyber squatting.It is called the Anti Cyber squatting Consumer Protection act.