If you've tried to register a domain name recently you'll be in no doubt how difficult it is to find what you want. Amidst the enormous number of domains that have been registered there exists a huge number that contribute nothing to the internet other than web clutter. Often these domains were registered for no other reason than for resale (at a profit) the perpetrators of such activities are called Cyber Squatters and they present a serious problem to business and internet marketers alike.

Not only do they own brand names that they have no justification for owning but many cyber squatters are buying popular mistypes in an effort to gain potential extorted value. In the past it has been very expensive to recover domain names in such scenarios. With court costs and spiralling lawyer's fees many small and medium businesses become disenfranchised with the whole process.

There are now ways around disputed domain names, Nominet have a "Domain Resolution Service" for .co.uk domains, and "Uniform Domain Name Dispute Resolution Policy" for .com and .net. These processes offer businesses a quick mediation and if necessary decision on a dispute.

Matt Paines