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Newsflash | Preventing "Username Squatting" on
Facebook®
June 12,
2009
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Preventing "Username Squatting" on Facebook®
At 12:01 a.m. this Saturday June 13th, EDT,
Facebook® will allow the registration of usernames on a first
come, first served basis. Facebook® users will be able to
create a username for their Facebook® page URL (e.g. http//www.facebook.com/yourusername).
As with other
types of cybersquatting on the internet, it is expected that
Facebook® users will register usernames containing other
parties’ trademarks. Facebook® has announced that it will
allow trademark owners to prevent this “username squatting” by
completing and submitting an online form on the
Facebook® website.
Undoubtedly there will be many registrations of usernames on
Saturday, so although it appears that this form can be
completed after usernames have started to be distributed; it
would be prudent to submit the information prior to the first
issuance of usernames.
Complaining about IP Infringement on Facebook®
In addition,
Facebook® has a pre-existing procedure for intellectual
property owners to complain about intellectual property
infringement on Facebook®. If a Facebook® user is infringing
your company’s trademark or copyright, for instance, you can
submit a complaint via two different automated forms on
Facebook® via the following
link.
Please note that there is one form for
copyright infringement
and one form for
non-copyright infringement.
In addition, you
can also register a
complaint
via e-mail at
ip@facebook.com.
Facebook® has updated their “help” pages to refer trademark
owners whose trademark appears
in
usernames to their “Non-copyright claim IP Infringement Form.”
Security Assistance for Hacked Accounts and Spam
If you suspect that there has been a security breach of your
company’s Facebook® page, Facebook® can assist you via the
following
link.
Creating a Facebook® Page for a Brand, Artist, or Business
Finally, if your company does not have a Facebook® page, and
would like to create
one
you
can do so
here.
If you need any assistance protecting your intellectual
property on Facebook®, please contact:
Scott Miller,
Litigation Partner
smiller@mbm.com
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