Please help, I'm losing sleep over this!!!

[Cannotcompute]

I run an online game and it used a no-ip subdomain before it grew into a domain name. When I went to register the name the name of my game was already taken for the .com name. I did a whois query on it, and it was registered the month I started my game.

The domain name was registered by a reported cybersquatter (company that buys domain names to sell them back to their rightful owners at rediculous prices) that would want me to buy the domain from them if I contacted them about it.

I don't know what to do because I'm about to release a BIG update to the game that will drive a lot of new users to my site, and, in consequence, to the parked site.

The domain name is set to expire April of next year so I could wait to see if they don't renew it, but since I'm about to get more traffic they might renew it because of that.

Then again, if I tried to purchase the domain from them now they would probably quote a lower price because it isn't worth nearly as much right now. But this would let them know that I want to acquire the domain and then they will certainly renew it.

The domain name in question is being used to display ads for my game and competitors but when you click them it instead shows other ads that advertise completely unrelated things like insurance and movie rentals.

I would go ahead and file a domain dispute but I don't own any trademarks or brands for my domain yet

I'm also still underaged and I don't know how to protect myself. I just don't know what to do...

[FlyingRon]

Do you either have a business name or a trademark with the name you are intending to use? If so, google ICANN and UDRP.

If not, you're just too late. Should have grabbed the name you wanted early.
You're allowed to hold domains. Cybersquatting is grabbing someone else's company or trademark, not an unused but likely to be popular one.

[justalayman]

if this is a situation that makes you enough money that it matters, you should get real legal counsel. The fact that this other website actually uses your game to advertise is itself illegal but unless you register is, you will not be able to take a trademark infringement suit to a federal court. I would suspect that would be the proper court considering the fact this infringement is involving the internet.

[davezan]

Originally Posted by justalayman

you should get real legal counsel.

And enough sleep.