The great AOL word cybersquatting saga

Plenty more for the chop

By Kieren McCarthy • Get more from this author

Posted in Music and Media, 24th May 2001 13:41 GMT

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We support AOL's decision to take Aimster to an arbitrator for its unauthorised use of the giant's trademark "AIM" or "America Online Instant Messenger". We also applaud NAF's ability to override the rules in this very important matter and ignore the fact that "aim" is also a verb and noun to rule in AOL's favour.

AOL quite rightly has exclusive use of the word "aim" in Internet domains. But would you believe it, hundreds of other cybersquatters have also tried to make successful businesses on the back of AOL's technology.

This is disgraceful behaviour and we look forward to the inevitable lawsuits that AOL will take out against them. In order to help this champion of consumer rights, we have compiled a list of the worst offenders and the ludicrous pseudonyms they have given themselves in the vain hope that they will be viewed as legitimate.

Go to it, AOL! And NAF, you back it up (it'll be worth your while).

www.aimforit.com - Alliance Internet Mortgage
www.aimchina.com - Asia International Media
www.aimsolutions.com - American International Media
www.aimpress.org - Alternative Information from Mreza (in the Balkans)
www.aimglobal.org - global trade organisation for automatic identification and data collection
www.aimfunds.com - the AIM management group
www.aim-mia.de - Ausbildung in Medienberufen in Köln (Education in Journalism in Cologne)
www.aim.org - the Accuracy in Media organisation
www.aim.ac.yu - Academic Information Network (Yugoslavia)
www.aim.com.au - Australian Institute of Management
www.aiminc.com - Advanced Internet Marketing
www.aim.gr - some Greek dental company called AIM
www.aim-trains.com - French train company
www.aimhigh.net - Aim High! Inc. (ISP)
www.aimsports.com - Aim Sportsystems (timers)
www.aimhi.com - Aim Hi (ISP)
www.aimspice.com - Automatic Integrated Circuit Modelling Spice (spice is an analog circuit simulator)
www.aimnow.com - Some Japanese firm called AIM consultancy