Interview with Na.Vijayashankar Cyber Laws Expert at Domain X Bangalore 2015

You build a domain into a brand for a year. Then, just as it takes off, someone contests it. ⚖️

At DomainX Bangalore 2015, I spoke with Na. Vijayashankar, known as Naavi, an information security consultant and cyber law expert, about protecting your domains legally. 🎙️

📊 In this episode, we unpacked:

• ⚖️ How Indian law treats domains
• 🔍 Precautions before you buy
• 🤝 Lookalikes and cyber insurance
• 🛒 What about brand-keyword domains?
• 🧩 The techno-legal check

🎥 Watch the full episode:

⚖️ How Indian Law Treats Domains

Naavi is an information security consultant in Bangalore, known by his blog naavi.org. Cyber law has two big parts: the Information Technology Act, covering electronic documents, and intellectual property rights for electronic content. ⚖️

A domain name is like a trademark, with its own special status. India hasn’t legislated specifically on domains, so disputes run through UDRP under the contract you sign with your registrar. For a lawyer’s view on domain disputes, read Zak Muscovitch’s interview. 🔗

🔍 Precautions Before You Buy

Consider the risk of a future contest. Just as you’re ready to harness a brand you’ve built, you could face UDRP or litigation in India or abroad, including anti-cybersquatting cases too expensive for many domain builders to fight. 🔍

Do a trademark search across the globe as far as possible. If you find a similar name in a different business category, you may both be able to keep operating. For another cyber law expert from DomainX, read Rodney D. Ryder’s interview. 🔗

🤝 Lookalikes and Cyber Insurance

Naavi proposed a “lookalikes” service: a mutual disclaimer where both parties say “I am not you, you are not me” and carry on with their businesses. 🤝

He also wants domain owners eligible for cyber insurance, covering legal costs and brand rebuilding if a faithfully registered domain is lost. And he wants a local arbitration center in India to cut costs, plus online arbitration by video conference so no one has to travel. 🛡️

🛒 What About Brand-Keyword Domains?

I asked about a name like flipkartcoupons.com. Naavi said it will definitely draw an attack: the brand owner may see passing off, and fear that problems on your site damage their reputation. 🛒

Registering a name gives you rights similar to an unregistered trademark, and a prominent disclaimer saying you have no relationship with the brand may help in some cases. “Sometimes we have to learn to coexist.” For trademark-safe domain tips, read Monte Cahn’s interview. 🔗

🧩 The Techno-Legal Check

There are no specific cyber law guidelines for domain newbies. But the problem is bigger than domains: founders check technical, management and financial feasibility, yet very few check techno-legal feasibility. 🧩

Before you build an online business, ask whether it will comply with the law. Naavi says that’s the analysis more founders should do. ✅

📝 Key Takeaways From the Naavi Interview

• ⚖️ Indian domain disputes run through UDRP
• 🔍 Search trademarks globally before building a brand
• 🤝 Disclaimers can help similar names coexist
• 🛒 Brand-keyword domains invite challenges
• 🧩 Check techno-legal feasibility early

❓ FAQs About Na. Vijayashankar (Naavi)

Who is Na. Vijayashankar?

Known as Naavi, he is a Bangalore-based information security consultant and cyber law expert who runs naavi.org.

How are domain disputes handled in India?

Mostly under UDRP, through the contract you sign with your registrar, since India has no specific domain law.

Can I register a domain with a brand name in it?

Naavi warns it will likely be contested for passing off, though disclaimers and coexistence can sometimes help.

🎙️ More Inside A Hustler’s Brain Interviews You’ll Love

• David Snead Interview General Counsel of cPanel at WHD Mumbai 2015
• Interview with Mary Wong from ICANN: Domainfest 2015
• Domain Name Investing Tips By Domainer Manmeet Pal Singh
• Interview with Arvind Reddy Big Time Domainer at DomainX 2015

Have you ever had a domain contested? Tell me in the comments. 💬

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