domain name registered by someone else - what can we do about it?

Question

What can we do against someone who has a domain name registration that represents our brand name?

In the first days of our startup, when we were in the phase of founding the company and finding a name for our venture, someone who was affiliated with our team (but in the end did not become part of the company) registered the domain name for the brand we eventually settled on. Is there any legal recourse?

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Answers: 2 public & 0 private

Blue
IP Consultant

If you protected your brand with a trademark, you can require him to return the domain. If you had agreements signed protecting the confidentiality of discussions, you can force return of the domain. You can also demand return under the theory that he stole a trade secret. He misappropriated an asset of the company. You can initiate an ICANN dispute or engage a lawyer to write a cease and desist letter threatening legal action.

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