How to handle name-squatting on social networks

Name-squatting has been a sneaky and shameful practice that has existed with Web domains as long as they have been around. This is when individuals or third parties purchase random domain names in hopes that somebody will want to purchase them someday. If that actually happens, then they will ask for up to $3,500 or more for a domain name that usually sells for $10. Although this can be obnoxious or annoying, there are ways around it, especially with trademarked names. Social media websites, however, are a different story.

With the explosion of social media in the last couple years, this trend has evolved into name-squatting on social networks. Some people have been tried to claim famous brands or celebrities names as their usernames, with very few repercussions from Facebook and Twitter. As the Wall Street Journal reports on the username policy:

They can be doled out arbitrarily. Even if you get a name first on a social network, you are not allowed to sell it and it can be reclaimed by the social network at any time. Legal remedies for dealing with imposters or trademark issues range from murky to nonexistent.

For tips on how to counter-act this practice, read the full article here.