Domain Names, Search Engines, and the Less Obvious Ways Your Trademark Can Be Misused Online
Written by JLG - December 23, 2025
Not all trademark infringement is visible at first glance. Some forms happen quietly, in ways that redirect traffic, damage your search rankings, or confuse potential customers. At Jafari Law Group, we help clients uncover and address trademark misuse in domain names and keyword advertising, two areas where online infringement often goes unnoticed until it causes real harm.
Here is what business owners need to watch for.
Trademark Infringement in Domain Names
Domain names that closely mimic your brand can cause confusion and divert web traffic away from your business. This is often called “cybersquatting”, when someone registers a domain name that is identical or similar to your trademark, often to resell it or benefit from your reputation.
Common Types of Domain Name Infringement
- Typo domains (e.g., “javarilawgroup.com” instead of “jafarilawgroup.com”) that capture accidental traffic
- Lookalike domains that use your brand with different extensions (.net, .co, etc.)
- Domain parking with your brand name, where the domain is held without active use but is listed for sale
- Fraudulent or phishing sites built on domains using your trademark to trick users into providing payment or login information
These types of infringement can erode trust in your brand, interfere with your marketing efforts, and expose your customers to scams.
What You Can Do
If someone is using your trademark in a domain name without your permission, there are several enforcement options:
- Cease and desist letters can resolve issues informally when the infringer is identifiable and willing to cooperate
- ICANN’s Uniform Domain Name Dispute Resolution Policy (UDRP) allows trademark owners to pursue domain recovery without going to court
- In some cases, a lawsuit under the Anti-Cybersquatting Consumer Protection Act (ACPA) may be appropriate
We help clients assess the best strategy based on the domain’s use, the strength of their trademark rights, and the goals they want to achieve.
Trademark Misuse in Keyword Advertising and Search Engines
Another form of online trademark misuse happens through search engine advertising. This is where a competitor bids on your brand name as a keyword in paid search campaigns (e.g., Google Ads) to divert potential customers to their own website.
How Infringement Happens
- A competitor uses your trademark as a keyword so that their ad appears when someone searches for your brand
- The ad copy may not mention your brand directly, but it still causes confusion by positioning the competitor alongside your search results
- In some cases, the competitor may go further and include your trademark in the ad text or link to a misleading landing page
Can They Do That?
This is a complicated area. Courts have ruled that simply bidding on a trademark as a keyword may not always be infringement but when the use causes confusion or misrepresents affiliation, legal remedies may be available.
Search engines like Google also have internal policies that restrict how trademarks can be used in ads, especially if you have a registered mark and file a formal complaint.
How We Address It
If your brand is being misused in keyword ads, we can help you:
- Review and document the ad content
- Submit a complaint to the ad platform
- Send notice to the advertiser demanding they stop
- Evaluate whether legal action is appropriate under trademark law
In many cases, taking fast action discourages further misuse and restores control over your search presence.
Brand Misuse Is Not Always Intentional But It Still Needs to Be Addressed
Some infringers may not realize they are violating trademark rights. Others do it deliberately. Either way, the burden is on the trademark owner to monitor and enforce their rights.
Failing to act could weaken your ability to protect the brand in the future or invite repeat behavior.
Take Control of Your Trademark Online
If you suspect that your trademark is being used in domain names or advertising campaigns without your permission, we can help you understand your options and act quickly.
Jafari Law Group offers free consultations for business owners facing online infringement. Contact us to speak with an attorney about protecting your brand across digital platforms.