Recent Experience with Typosquatting

[Guest guest]

Hi All,

 

This is especially for those with online businesses and websites. A few

days ago, I became aware that our domain name had been co-opted by what are

called Typosquatters, people who capture traffic coming to your website by

changing something slightly in the url and making an alternative site. In

our case, they even have things like, " looking for Samara Botane " . . . With

a link to an E-Bay site or competitor. The url is http://www.wingseed.com

 

Here is a comprehensive description

of this unethical activity

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Typosquatting

 

We are preparing a cease and desist letter and doing more research. It

appears, however, that these sites are put up by people who charge a click

through, preying on well-trafficked online businesses primarily. Because

they are actually using our registered corporate identity along with the

url, we will follow on with contact from our attorney if this doesn't

correct the problem.

 

A lesson learned here . . . Trademark or register your domain name along

with other names or slogans that you wish to use exclusively. Do slight

variations on your url and Google search to see if you have been hit by

these lowlife predators.

 

I'll have an update when we learn more while dealing with this.

 

I'm off to see Sicko so I can really get my blood pressure up and vent

appropriately!! Y'all have a great weekend.

 

Be Well,

Marcia Elston, Samara Botane http://www.wingedseed.com

http://www.aromaconnection.org

" Give thanks for a little and you will find a lot. " Hausa Saying from

Nigeria