Typosquatting is a growing threat to brand owners across industries. It occurs when someone registers a domain name that is a close misspelling of a trademark in an attempt to divert traffic or profit from the brand’s recognition. Many of the world’s largest companies have had to fight back against misuse of their brand online due to this tactic.
While some typosquatting schemes are aimed at redirecting traffic to competitors or displaying misleading ads, others can be more malicious, damaging a company’s reputation or undermining customer trust. Businesses with strong brand identities are especially at risk, making early action critical when domain misuse is suspected.
What you need to prove in a UDRP case
The Uniform Domain Name Dispute Resolution Policy (UDRP), administered by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), offers a streamlined process to challenge and recover domain names that misuse trademarks. To succeed in a UDRP complaint, the trademark owner must show the following:
- The domain name is identical or confusingly similar to your trademark: This means the domain name closely resembles your registered trademark or brand name, even if it includes small spelling variations or added words that may confuse users.
- The domain registrant has no legitimate interest in the domain name: The party that registered the domain has not been commonly known by the name, does not use it for a legitimate business purpose and has no permission from the trademark owner to use the mark.
- The domain name was registered and is being used in bad faith: Indicators of bad faith include an attempt to sell the domain to the rightful owner, redirecting traffic to a competing business or using the name to harm the reputation of the brand.
If you suspect that your business is being harmed by typosquatting, you may be able to recover control of the domain through UDRP proceedings. Obtaining legal guidance can be helpful if you are considering enforcement options or need help building a strong claim under WIPO rules.