Re-Registering Domain Name Triggers New Liability

Re-registering an Internet domain name is a new registration under the federal cybersquatting statute, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit held Dec. 16 (Linen v. Dutta-Roy, 11th Cir., 13-15309, 12/16/15).

Judge Gerald Bard Tjoflat said the purpose of the statute was upheld by including re-registrations within its definition.

“It would be nonsensical to exempt the bad-faith re-registration of a domain name simply because the bad-faith behavior occurred during a non-initial registration, thereby allowing the exact behavior that Congress sought to prevent,” the court said.

Two other circuit courts have split on the question of whether ...