by Traverse Legal, reviewed by Brian Hall - November 2, 2016 - Protecting Your Trademark from Infringement, Trademark Law
LinkedIn was founded in 2002, Facebook was founded in 2004, YouTube was founded in 2005, Twitter was founded in 2006, Instagram and Pinterest were founded in 2010 and Snapchat was founded in 2011. Social networking websites have changed the landscape of not only how we interact with one another but also how companies reach consumers. Companies evangelize their brands through social media sites as much as through their websites today. In fact, some companies may argue that the following on a particular social media platform is more valuable than a stagnant website that does not draw constant attention from consumers. However, what is one to do when they face a trademark issue related to a social media handle?
The Anti-Cybersquatting Consumer Protection Act (ACPA) was enacted in 1999 in order to create a cause of action against one who registered, used or trafficked in a domain name with a bad faith intent to profit off of the goodwill associated with the trademark of another. It was an extension of the Lanham Act, namely 15 USC 1125. It coincided with the explosion of the Internet. It was aimed at protecting trademark owners from being harmed by cybersquatters who could hold domain names hostage, among other things. The ACPA has been a powerful tool for trademark owners, namely companies looking to protect their brand online. While domain names have become ubiquitous, so too, albeit thereafter, has social media.
Unfortunately for trademark owners who attempt to claim a social media handle on the various social networking websites only to find it already taken, they are left to try to work with the social media site (as limited by their policies) or pursue litigation using causes of action that may not be directly on point. Trademark owners are also forced to deal with those who imitate the brand, or the individual, with similar handles. A username, domain name and trademark search will likely reveal problems on social media for most brands, especially newer ones who do not have the resources to be as vigilant in their trademark monitoring, defensive registration or enforcement efforts. More often than not, use of a trademark search tool will reveal infringement of one’s trademark or brand or identity. Instead of brands being unable to prevail against the owners of what would otherwise be their social media handles because, for example, there has been no use of the social media handle in commerce, it is time to consider a statute akin to the ACPA, and its goal of cyberpiracy prevention, for social media.
A social media statute could be similar in language to that of the ACPA, as proposed by this author and outlined below in most relevant parts. Doing so would afford a trademark owner the ability to pursue a civil action involving the social media handle and have a court order the forfeiture or cancellation of the social media handle or the transfer of the social media handle to the owner of the mark. Such a statute may also ultimately spur an arbitration option similar to that the Uniform Domain Name Dispute Resolution Policy (UDRP). Regardless, is it time for legislation to catch up with technology, and possibly those that may benefit from trademark owners on social media websites?
Social Media Piracy Prevention [Proposed by Brian A. Hall]
(A) A person shall be liable in a civil action by the owner of a mark, including a personal name which is protected as a mark under this section, if, without regard to the goods or services of the parties, that person—
(I) in the case of a mark that is distinctive at the time of registration of the social media handle, is identical or confusingly similar to that mark;
(B) In determining whether a person has a bad faith intent described under subparagraph (A), a court may consider factors such as, but not limited to—
Note this post represents the views of its author, Brian A. Hall, and it does not necessarily represent the views of Traverse Legal, PLC or its members.
Founding attorney Enrico is a seasoned consultant who guides companies, including law firms, in effectively integrating artificial intelligence (AI). With a wide range of consulting services, Enrico assists clients in harnessing the power of AI while ensuring ethical and responsible implementation.
This page has been written, edited, and reviewed by a team of legal writers following our comprehensive editorial guidelines. This page was approved by attorney Enrico Schaefer, who has more than 20 years of legal experience as a practicing Business, IP, and Technology Law litigation attorney.