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After Domain Squatting, Twitter Squatting

Posted by timothy on from the kept-in-a-special-safe dept.

carusoj writes "Squatting on domain names is nothing new, but Twitter has created a new opportunity for squatters, in the form of Twitter IDs. Writes Richard Stiennon: 'Is there evidence of Twitter squatting (squitting?) Let's check. Yup, every single-letter TwitID is taken ... How about common words? Garage, wow, war, warcraft, Crisco, Coke, Pepsi, Nike, and Chevrolet are all taken. My guess is that Twitter squatters have grabbed all of these in the hopes that they will be worth selling in the not too distant future. Of course the legitimate holders of brands can sue for them and Twitter can just turn them over if asked. But, because the investment and risk for the squatter is zero, you are going to see the rapid evaporation of available Twitter IDs.'"

9 of 201 comments (clear)

  1. Re:Who cares? by Kozar_The_Malignant · · Score: 5, Funny

    Fuck.

    Sorry, that's taken already.

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    Some mornings it's hardly worth chewing through the restraints to get out of bed.
  2. Re:Can't say I ever used Twitter by eln · · Score: 5, Insightful

    It's as if someone said, "You know, I like MySpace, but the blog posts there just aren't inane enough. I wish there was a site where people could quickly and easily share every minute of their boring lives with the world."

  3. Still, its a great excuse by tpjunkie · · Score: 5, Funny

    to use the term "twatter" or "twating" which I find much more hilarious than "squitting"

  4. Yep. by Wolfger · · Score: 5, Interesting

    Chrysler recently announced they were on Twitter, but the name was ChryslerCom or something like that. Squatters beat them to their own name. That's the problem with unique usernames, though. I mean, say your name (because your parents are insensitive clods) actually *is* Chevy... Should you be prevented from being "Chevy" online because a car company holds a trademark on that name? Is it really fair for the courts to just take something away from you and give it to a rich corporation?

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    Nothing to see here. Move along.
  5. Squat before someone else does by uncledrax · · Score: 5, Interesting

    I love how TFA suggests you go out and shot-gun register anything associated with your brand.

    in short.. he's saying you should fight squatting by squatting it first.

    Gotta love that.

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    ----- The internet has given everyone the ability to have their voice heard equally as loud.. even if they shouldn't be
  6. Re:Can't say I ever used Twitter by dintech · · Score: 5, Insightful

    The poster also forgot that not that many people actually care about twitter.

  7. viral marketing by owlnation · · Score: 5, Insightful

    This is the 3rd piece of viral marketing from the Twitter jerks in as many days.

    Twitter jerks, we all know you are desperate. But understand this: your train has sailed. We know you are desperate to be bought out by some large company like Myspace was. It is NOT going to happen for you. The credit crunch makes that certain. Plus your crappy site never stays up more than 24 hours in a row. It's time to give up. Or at least SHUT UP, and stop spamming this site with marketing crap disguised as articles.

  8. Re:Can't say I ever used Twitter by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    4:07PM EST - Regret reading your comment

  9. [Ob Penny Arcade] by traycerb · · Score: 5, Funny

    http://www.penny-arcade.com/comic/2008/4/23/

    --
    Relax. Have a muffin. Enjoy the show. --Slick, Sept 13th, 2007.