There is a 'brand'
brand.de is already taken.
Let's say it's a insurance firm.
Then you pick a domain like: skbrand.de
Question: Should you also register another domain, like scbrand.de or ckbrand.de?
So, just hypothetically, if a rival grabs scbrand.de and redirects it to their site with a different name, is that allowed? Is it wise to secure such potentially misspelled variations as far as I get it.
Or is it against the law, and you don't need to bother with these misspelling versions, and if they see it, can you sue?
In a nutshell, it's a good idea to register these variations, especially if you're an insurance firm and you want to protect your brand identity online. Here's why: if a rival grabs scbrand.de and redirects it to their site with a different name, it's not necessarily illegal, but it's definitely not cool. This practice is known as "typosquatting," and it can cause confusion among your customers, potentially leading to a loss of business.
While it's not against the law per se, you can take action if someone registers a domain that's confusingly similar to yours. You can file a complaint with the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) or the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN), depending on the circumstances. However, this process can be time-consuming and costly, so it's better to be proactive and register the variations yourself.
By securing these domains, you're preventing potential competitors from exploiting your brand's reputation. It's a common practice among big brands, and it's known as "defensive domain registration." Think of it as an insurance policy for your online presence.
Now, I know what you're thinking: "But what about the cost and hassle of managing all these domains?" Well, it's true that registering multiple domains can add up, but it's a small price to pay for protecting your brand's integrity. You can always set up redirects from the variations to your main domain, so you don't need to worry about maintaining separate websites.
Registering misspelled variations of your domain is a wise move, especially in a competitive industry like insurance. It's a small investment to make compared to the potential losses you could incur if someone else snatches them up.
I've seen alot of typo's in domain names, not just the ushual 'i' and 'l' swaps. You can also get mistakes with letters like 's', 'b', 'r', 'a', 'n', 'd' (like, ckbrand, sknrand, skbtand... and other wrong letters that are right next to eachother on the keyboard). Are you gonna register all these options?
Honestly, I dont see the piont. Users will stil find you through search, and its unlikly they'll stumble upon typo'd domains. And if somone does come direct, its probly just gonna be companey employes, not potenshal clients.
Coca-Cola has turned down lookalike domains a few times already. If you're facing them in court, you need to be ready. If they can show that you snagged the domain to catch user misspellings, they might win and get the domain from you. On the flip side, if you can demonstrate that your domain is for a totally separate project that has nothing to do with their brand, you'll likely keep it. Just remember, each case is unique.