Domain name disputes are on the rise, with the number of such cases having increased by 24% last year, according figures from the U.S.-based National Arbitration Forum (FORUM).
Data from FORUM, which is approved by the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) to provide domain dispute resolution services, show that it handled 2,177 cases in 2010, compared to 1,759 just a year earlier.
“The business of registering and monetizing domain names continues to grow,” said Kristine Dorrain, FORUM’s Internet legal counsel. “As a result, it is inevitable that some percentage of those names will involve cybersquatting and more cases than ever are being filed.”
Among the more high-profile cases handled by FORUM last year was a case involving the domain bradpittfoundation.org, which was won by the Hollywood actor. Other cases involved Mercedes and American Girl.
Last month, it was reported that the number of trademark protection applications filed through the World Intellectual Property Organization rose by 12.8% in 2010.