Fitch Even protects our clients’ rights against cybersquatters and others who improperly register and use internet domain names that are identical or confusingly similar to our clients’ names or trademarks. With the help of our global counsel network, we combat such abuses around the world, using traditional trademark laws, the Anti-Cybersquatting Consumer Protection Act, and the domain name uniform dispute resolution procedures (UDRP) conducted by the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN). Fitch Even lawyers have successfully prosecuted numerous cybersquatting actions in federal court and UDRP arbitration proceedings, resulting in domain name transfers on behalf of our clients.
Defending Your Digital Identity
Central to domain name enforcement is effective domain name registration. We routinely conduct online availability searches for domain names of interest and assist with domain name registration and maintenance. Our trademark lawyers also keep a close eye on the opening of new domain names, identifying where assertive action is necessary to protect client interests.
As the law of domain names continues to evolve, Fitch Even also helps clients take advantage of the latest innovations and opportunities, such as registering generic top-level domain names that reflect brand names or brand identities. We are specialists in interpreting the nuances of domain name protection in the ever-expanding social media world.
We often maintain portfolios of related domain names, assisting with registering them in the appropriate extenstions, maximizing our clients’ visibility and reinforcing their brand identity. We protect such portfolios using cease-and-desist letters, UDRP actions, and formal court proceedings as appropriate.
At every stage of an entity’s internet and social media initiatives, Fitch Even can offer a comprehensive, integrated strategy that protects important names and brand identities in the digital world.
Case Studies
Client: Personeta, a software and platform development company in the burgeoning area of fixed-mobile convergence in the telecommunications field
Problem: A competing company in the telecom space, Persona, sought to use its name as a domain name on the Internet and as a brand name.
Solution: Fitch Even brought suit in Illinois federal court, arguing that the Persona name infringed our client’s brand name, that the names were similar in appearance and sound, and that emerging telecom providers could easily believe that the parties’ products came from a single source.
Result: The court agreed and issued an injunction against the use of “Persona” online.
