Here is a short list of domain arbitration rulings in which a complainant mistakenly thought that they were entitled to someone else’s generic domain name. Call it a Hall of Shame if you will since a complainant tried, unsuccessfully, to take each of the names below from their rightful owner. The phrase domain burglars seems a funny, yet fitting description.

As noted, these were all DENIED, and appropriately kept by the original registrant. When a generic word or phrase is in mass use by the public, it is near impossible to lay exclusive claim to that phrase. As well it should be. In order to forcibly take someone else’s registered generic web address, a complainant has to prove that their use of the word or phrase generally supercedes all other uses in the public domain. A bold, and often indefensible claim indeed.
 

• GroceryOutlet.com – DENIED (Generic terms are not subject to U.S. trademark law when they are used to label the goods and services that they describe.)
• Computers.biz – DENIED
• MyrtleBeach.com – DENIED (“Since Myrtle Beach is the name of a particular geographic location, the name is not eligible for trademark protection …”)
• PuertoRico.info – DENIED
• Insurance.biz – DENIED
• Talent.us – DENIED
• Cars.biz – DENIED
• CheapHotels.net – DENIED
• HomeDesigner.com – DENIED
• GradSchool.com – DENIED
• Travel.biz – DENIED
• Target.org – DENIED
• CityofSalinas.com – DENIED
• CityofDearborn.com – DENIED
• Zero.us – DENIED
• PostOffice.com – DENIED
• TrainingPros.com – DENIED
• American.biz – DENIED
• GlenwoodSprings.com – DENIED
• Dogs.com – DENIED
• Paris.biz – DENIED
• Alaska.biz – DENIED
• OrangeCounty.biz – DENIED
• Cotton.biz – DENIED
• Foreigner.com – DENIED
• SacramentoHomeLoans.com – DENIED (“… a geographic term alongside terms that describe the services … Since geographic terms are not afforded protection under the Policy, the Panel finds that Complainant cannot prevail.”)
• FloridaTourism.com – DENIED
• Birmingham.com – DENIED (“The Panel finds the term “Birmingham” to be geographically descriptive”)
• DeerValleyCondos.us – DENIED
• TheInjuryLawyers.com – DENIED (“the mark appears to be descriptive, if not generic”)
• Hotels.biz – DENIED
• StreetMap.info – DENIED (“The phrase “streetmap” is not specific to or synonymous with the product but rather derives from two generic words.  As such the name “streetmap” is descriptive, not distinctive.”)
• Pueblo.org – DENIED
• BerkleySprings.com – DENIED (“Respondent contends that the BERKLEY SPRINGS mark is a geographic locale. The Complainant’s evidence does not support a finding that it has a superior right to the use of the name “Berkeley Springs” to the exclusion of the Respondent or any other entity”)
• SierraHotels.us – DENIED
• Ace.us – DENIED
• Woodworker.biz – DENIED
• Fabric.biz – DENIED
• Partnership.biz - DENIED
• Names.biz – DENIED
• Print.biz – DENIED
• StartUp.biz – DENIED
• Tire.biz – DENIED
• Furniture.biz – DENIED

This list demonstrates the logic behind U.S. trademark law and the effective use of it in settling domain name disputes. However, there are bad decisions on occasion which will require further defense of one’s legitimately registered domain name.

Hopefully, this list can act as a guidepost for the types of domain names that are a good choice, and which can be successfully defended and held on to as a long-term investment.

Cybersquatting, Internet Domains