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Microsoft stamps down on cybersquatters

15/03/2007 - The software giant Microsoft is stepping up its battle against 'cybersquatters' and will take legal action against five UK companies. They are accusing the companies of registering web site domain names that infringe on Microsoft's brand and trademarks.
Microsoft contacted the five UK companies through legal channels asking them to adhere to a number of terms including an injunction to halt any future activities

The company also revealed it has agreed a financial settlement with the UK based Dyslexic Domain Company, which according to Microsoft has registered over 6,000 domains.

The move against UK companies follows lawsuits that were filed in the US in August 2006 by Microsoft to try and curb cybersquatting.

In the last six months the software company have reclaimed over 1,100 domain names including sites setup up to target users of Windows Vista, such as "wiindowsvista.com".

Cybersquatting is the practice of registering domain names that contain trademark phrases or common brand name misspellings.

The cybersquatters then use these sites to generate advertising revenue from visitors to the site looking for information about the products.

Aaron Kornblum, a senior attorney at Microsoft, explained why Microsoft was taking the legal action. "With every ad hyperlink clicked, a registrant or ad network harvests cash at the trademark owner's expense," he said in a statement.

The increase of pay-per-click advertising has giving cybersquatters many more opportunities to trick internet users for financial gain.

Microsoft has only targeted the people registering the domain name that infringe copyright and trade names they have not taken any action against online advertising such as Yahoo and Google.

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<a href="http://www.pulsewebhosting.com/news/microsoft-stamps-down-on-cybersquatters/55/" title="Microsoft stamps down on cybersquatters">Microsoft stamps down on cybersquatters</a> Published Date: 2007-03-15 13:01:05

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