What is a Domain Squatter?

You know what it's hard when you try to create a new product ? Finding a domain name that is not already taken. Because there is a high chance that the domain name you want is already taken by a domain squatter.

Domain squatting can be a lucrative business and a real pain in the *** for people that want to create a new product or service.

Cybersquatters are individuals who register domain names with the intent of reselling them at a profit.
They often target domain names:

• that are similar to established brand names, hoping to sell them back at a significant profit, or using it to redirect traffic to their own websites or preparing phishing attacks.
• that are associated with popular trends or events, hoping to capitalize on the traffic generated by these terms.
• that are generic terms or phrases, hoping to sell them to businesses or individuals looking for a domain name that matches their industry or interests.

Is it legal ?

It depends.
Domain squatting is not illegal per se, but it can violate trademark laws if the domain name is similar to an established brand name and is being used in bad faith.

There are laws and policies in place to combat domain squatting. For instance, the Uniform Domain-Name Dispute-Resolution Policy (UDRP) established by the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) provides a mechanism for resolving disputes involving domain names. Under UDRP, trademark owners can file a complaint against domain squatters, and if successful, the domain name can be transferred back to the trademark owner.