cybersquatting

American  

[sahy-ber-skwot-ing] / ˈsaɪ bərˌskwɒt ɪŋ /

noun

1. the registration of a commercially valuable internet domain name, as a trademark, with the intention of selling it or profiting from its use.

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cybersquatting British  

/ ˈsaɪbəˌskwɒtɪŋ /

noun

1. the practice of registering an internet domain name that is likely to be wanted by another person, business, or organization in the hope that it can be sold to them for a profit

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Other Word Forms

• cybersquatter
  noun

Etymology

Origin of cybersquatting

First recorded in 1995–2000 ; cyber- + squat (in the sense “occupying a property without title or right” + -ing ¹

Example Sentences

Mimicry websites use the logo, name and photo of real venues — cybersquatting — to sell fake or secondary market tickets.

From Seattle Times • Aug. 20, 2023

The messages have also turned hateful from fans who think that Ellery stole the handle from the show and has been cybersquatting.

From Salon • Nov. 4, 2021

It’s slightly different than what most people think of as cybersquatting, since the person currently in control of patrickdewitt.net doesn’t appear to be asking for payment to return control of the site.

From The Verge • Feb. 5, 2020

And in January, eBay won one of the largest cybersquatting cases, winning the ownership of more than 1,000 domains that had used its trademark.

From BBC • Nov. 12, 2015

One of my favorite examples of this goes back to 1999, when Congress acted to stop one of the scourges of the early Internet age: cybersquatting.

From Inc • May 1, 2013