- within Compliance topic(s)
Originally published June 11, 2009
Keywords: trademark, Facebook, cyber squatting, trademark infringement, username
On Saturday, June 13, 2009, at 12:01 AM EDT, Facebook (www.facebook.com), a US-based international social networking website, will update its policies to allow users to create usernames for themselves and establish personalized Facebook URLs incorporating these usernames (i.e. www.facebook.com/username). Once a user has created this username and established the personalized URL, there will be no way for the user to change or transfer it. This is an attempt by Facebook to prevent cyber squatting.
Facebook has established two methods for trademark owners to protect their rights under this new policy. The first method is preemptive, and allows a trademark owner to prevent the registration of a trademark as part of a username. To register and protect a trademark, please visit http://www.facebook.com/help/contact.php?show_form=username_rights. The second method is reactive, and allows a trademark owner to submit a notice of trademark infringement to Facebook, so that Facebook can remove or reclaim a username that incorporates a trademark. To recapture a trademark from a username, please visit http://www.facebook.com/copyright.php?noncopyright_notice=1.
Learn more about our Intellectual Property practice.
Visit us at www.mayerbrown.com.
Mayer Brown is a global legal services organization comprising legal practices that are separate entities ("Mayer Brown Practices"). The Mayer Brown Practices are: Mayer Brown LLP, a limited liability partnership established in the United States; Mayer Brown International LLP, a limited liability partnership incorporated in England and Wales; and JSM, a Hong Kong partnership, and its associated entities in Asia. The Mayer Brown Practices are known as Mayer Brown JSM in Asia.
This Mayer Brown article provides information and comments on legal issues and developments of interest. The foregoing is not a comprehensive treatment of the subject matter covered and is not intended to provide legal advice. Readers should seek specific legal advice before taking any action with respect to the matters discussed herein.
Copyright 2009. Mayer Brown LLP, Mayer Brown International LLP, and/or JSM. All rights reserved.
