ACPA (Anticybersquatting Consumer Protection Act)

The Anticybersquatting Consumer Protection Act (ACPA) is a U.S. law enacted in 1999 to protect trademark owners from “cybersquatting.” Cybersquatting occurs when someone registers, uses, or sells domain names that are confusingly similar to established trademarks, often to profit from the brand’s reputation. The ACPA allows trademark holders to take legal action against cybersquatters, potentially recovering damages or obtaining the domain name. This law helps ensure that brands can maintain their identity online and prevents misuse of their trademarks in the digital space.