Whois Privacy Services and Web Hosts Over Gambling Domains — 3M Sues

Firm names major domain firms in basket of defendants for cybersquatting.

3M has filed a lawsuit against a who’s who of domain name whois privacy services, registrars, and web hosts, along with numerous John Does.

The conglomerate alleges the defendants are using a number of domain names incorporating 3M’s trademark for gambling sites. Example sites include mmmbet.net, 3M-Asia.com, and 3m-sportbetting.com.

A number of the site names have changed since 3M originally started contacting owners of the domain names and some have been shut by web hosts.

I’m confused by why any gambling site would want to use the 3M brand. My guess is that, in some parts of the world, people associate 3M with a trusted brand that would offer gambling services. I only think of 3M for Post-It notes and Scotch Tape.

You can read the full cybersquatting lawsuit here.

And remember, offering whois privacy isn’t free.

Hat tip: George Kirikos.