Here We Go Again!
Domainers have been fighting the negative stereotypes of “Cyber Squatter” and “Spammer/Scammer” since the beginning. We came across another example of why the public continues to lump us in with the worst elements of our industry

The Voice of Capitol Hill
In this example, a Washington DC reporter, is falling down on the job and providing lazy, inaccurate definitions of cyber-squatting to incorporate the entire domain investing industry. The Hill is a federal government rag read by many of the folks on Capitol Hill (including lawmakers). In fact Senators and Representatives frequently write articles and position statements for them.

Barbarians at the Gate
Unless you have been in a cave, you know that a publicity hungry couple snuck their way into a White House function with the President, causing great embarrassment for the Secret Service and the Homeland Security Department. The couple, Tareq and Michaele Salahi, tried a few different entrances before being let in to the reception for the Indian Prime Minister. While there they hob-knobbed with government and corporate elite and took pictures with both President Obama and Veep Biden among others. Although they are protesting, they will likely face serious charges for their actions.

Tareq Salahi’s Domain Is Registered
In the aftermath of the scandal, huge publicity ensued. It was revealed that the couple were likely candidates for TVs “The Real Housewives of DC” and had camera crews following them on the night this happened. Amid the CNN and Today Show appearances, someone registered TareqSalahi.com.(whois)

Where “Hip” and “Government” Meet
In an effort to stay hip and relevant, and to take advantage of their readership’s appetite for this story, they wrote an article outlining the registration and tied it into cybersquatting.

… “cyber-squatting,” the practice of buying a domain name that someone else may want (for example, www.sarahpalin2012.com) and selling it back to them at a higher price.

We understand that registering the name of someone famous, without their permission, and using it to profit off their fame or notoriety is a little suspect. The problem is in the way “cyber-squatting” defined.

What is Cybersquatting?
According to US law (Anti-cybersquatting Consumer Protection Act) Cybersquatting, is registering, trading, or using a domain name with bad faith intent to profit off a TRADEMARK belonging to someone else. Their definition of buying a domain name that someone else may want and selling it to them at a higher price is called investing/speculating. Just substitute “domain name” with “Stock”, “Land”, “Coins”, “Artwork, etc…” In those industries, it is also illegal to trade in items that do not belong to you. The authors broad brush strokes to define an illegal and negative act (cyber-squatting) disparages an entire legitimate industry, simply because they wanted it to fit in nicely with the way the story was being written.

Take a Stand
Anyone who follows the domain industry is familiar with these types of stories and the damage these false shorthand definitions can do to our industry’s reputation. We need to speak up and not let the status quo stand. We also need to take a hard line against cybersquatters from within the industry and do some of our own house cleaning. We will not be taken seriously until we are seen as one of the loudest opponents to this practice. Our end-user sales depend on it!