“What’s in a name? A Rose by any other name would smell as sweet”. So said Shakespeare little realizing that names could acquire an unprecedented significance for people and businesses, especially in the cyber world. The advent of International Keywords has rekindled the debate over domain names, particularly in the context of cyber squatting.
International Keywords are usually used as a layer ontop of domain names, removing complexity and allowing everyday users to find websites easily. For example typing in the international keyword "Oracle 9i" takes you to the http://www.oracle.com/appserver/index.html?content.html which is the official Oracle website for 9i.
International Keywords carry with them the potential of being commercially exploited. Since, the Internet is fast becoming a platform for transaction of business, ikeywords are quickly acquiring the same value as a trademark or the business name of a company.
However, due to its easy accessibility, this medium is susceptible to attack from domain infringement and cyber squatting. Therefore, a corporate entity needs to protect its trademark and other intellectual property from illegal exploitation on the Net. Here’s an overview of the issues involved with cyber squatting and how you can protect your company’s trademarks.
If your trademark has already been registered by another company there are a number of courses of action that can be taken. The first is to launch a compliant with an organization such as the WIPO or WRPO, the latter of which has an extensive International Keyword policy.
But these methods can be expensive and time consuming, the first course of action by any company should be to launch an official compliant with the International Keyword Registry, this is free of charge and is usually processed within 14 days. The online dispute resolution service has proved most effective in cutting down false registrations.
If the registry finds in favor of your company then they have the power to transfer the ikeyword to your control, problem solved.
As always, prevention is better than a cure, and in many cases it is best to take a proactive stance registering trademarks as ikeywords.
