In this video excerpt of my presentation from a recent continuing learning education (CLE) event, I explain why the number of domain name disputes filed by trademark owners during the coronavirus pandemic has soared.
In addition, I provide detailed background about the history of cybersquatting and how trademark owners use the Uniform Domain Name Dispute Resolution Policy (UDRP) to effectively confront this growing threat.
The CLE event was sponsored by the trademark committee of the State Bar of Georgia’s Intellectual Property Law Section on February 24, 2021. Although not included in this video excerpt, I was joined by my Georgia Bar colleagues Larry Nodine and Brad Slutsky, who, like me, serve as UDRP panelists.
In this video, I explain how one report found more than 84,000 recent domain name registrations that contain the words “corona” or “covid.” Although many of them do not target trademark owners, some of them do, as I discuss in specific cases, such as those involving the domain names <coronavirusgoogle.com>, <purellonline.com>, and <hmrc-refund-covid19.com>.
I also cite a Washington Post article that quotes a report from an organization called Digital Citizens Alliance, which said:
As long as the number of COVID cases continues to grow, scammers and domainers will capitalize on Americans’ fear and uncertainty.
Fortunately, as I discuss in this video, the UDRP continues to be a very helpful tool for trademark owners, especially during the spread of the coronavirus, as I also reported in the most recent issue of GigaLaw’s Domain Dispute Digest.
