Definition of Domain Name Sitting
Domain-name sitting is the ownership of a web domain, without actually maintaining a website on it. A domain that is being sat upon may contain sponsored links or advertisements, but generally will have little to no actual content. Sites that contain messages such as "coming soon!" or offers to sell the domain name also fit into the definition of being sat upon.
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Motivations
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Domain-name sitters generally buy domain names for the purposes of selling them later at a profit. Some sitters intend to eventually develop a website on the domain, themselves, but have not yet begun to do so.
How to Obtain a Sat-Upon Name
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Some website sitters hoping to sell their domain will provide you with contact information, so that you can make a bid. If you find a name that isn't being used, but also isn't actively offered for sale, there are other options. You can do a WHOIS search, to find the contact information of the registrant, and call or email them. Alternately, some websites offer middleman services, and will help you get in touch with the current owner of a domain.
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Cybersquatting
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Cybersquatting is the best-known subsection of domain-name sitting. It involves claiming domains that are similar in name to an already-established company, in an attempt to get them to buy it.
Cybersquatting Strategies
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Some squatters will buy domains that are typos of popular companies or products, thus resulting in their often being found in web searches. They will sometimes then use paid links to direct the users to the appropriate site, profiting off their misspelling. In an attempt to get the host company to purchase their domain, some cybersquatters will post derogatory messages about the company on the site.
Legal Recourse
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The Anticybersquatting Consumer Protection Act (ACPA) of 1999 provides many options for companies who are being squatted against, and gives the right to bring squatters to court for copyright infringement.
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References
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