Domain names form the beating heart of online business and brand identity. Unfortunately, cybercriminals prioritize these assets as a prime target for fraud, impersonation, and phishing scams. In 2024 alone, businesses worldwide filed over 6,000 domain name disputes with the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), reinforcing the persistent risks posed by cybersquatting and fraudulent registrations. The rise of AI-driven domain abuse, coupled with a growing number of ccTLD disputes, underscores the urgent need for businesses to reassess their domain security strategies.
This article unpacks the latest domain name trends, case filings, and policy updates. We’ll explore how businesses are leveraging WIPO’s dispute resolution process, the increasing role of AI-related domain disputes, and why strategic Corporate Domain Management should be a core component of your digital strategy in 2025 and beyond.
WIPO’s Latest Domain Case Trends
In 2024, WIPO received domain name disputes from trademark owners in 133 countries, marking one of the busiest years in UDRP history. The leading complainant countries included the United States, France, and the United Kingdom, reflecting the global nature of domain conflicts. Industries such as retail, banking, pharmaceuticals, and technology saw the highest number of cases, indicating that domain abuse is a widespread issue across multiple sectors.
Notably, the report also highlights the sustained increase in ccTLD disputes. Countries such as Brazil (.BR), Spain (.ES), and Anguilla (.AI) reported record numbers of case filings, demonstrating the growing importance of localized domain protection strategies. WIPO also expanded its dispute resolution services to include .AD (Andorra), .CV (Cabo Verde), and .RW (Rwanda), ensuring broader coverage for brand owners.
Beyond sheer numbers, recent cases highlight the evolving nature of domain threats. Impersonation and email-based fraud continue to be major concerns, with bad actors using misleading domain names to deceive customers and employees. In one case, scammers used the domain sluk-clients.com for a fraudulent email scheme impersonating a legitimate company, reinforcing the need for proactive domain monitoring and enforcement.
AI, Phishing, and the New Wave of Domain Threats
The rapid adoption of AI-related domains is reshaping the domain landscape. As businesses invest in AI-driven tools and services, domains with the .AI extension have surged in popularity. However, this growth has also attracted cybersquatters and opportunistic domain investors. In one notable dispute, a domain previously owned by SAP was acquired by a third party after expiring. The registrant argued that the domain had generic value, but WIPO ruled in favor of SAP, recognizing that the respondent had intentionally targeted the well-known brand.
This trend extends beyond AI. The increasing use of deceptive domains in phishing campaigns is another critical concern. In 2024, 94% of organizations reported phishing attempts, often leveraging lookalike domains to trick employees into sharing sensitive information. One WIPO case involved myhrhersheys.com, which was used to target employees with fraudulent login requests. These cases highlight the importance of proactive domain security measures. For example, sophisticated domain monitoring could have precented this kind of attack. Combining with automated firewall updates, proactive threat reporting, and an optimized domain portfolio provides the best security to defeat cyberattackers and protect your brand.
What the WIPO Report Means for Businesses in 2025 and Beyond
For businesses, these trends signal a clear need for a stronger domain protection strategy.
A comprehensive approach to domain security should include proactive monitoring of brand-related domain registrations and relevant, rapid enforcement against cybersquatters, and measures like strict DNSSEC implementation to prevent email spoofing. Businesses should also evaluate their domain portfolios, ensuring that key trademarks are secured across relevant TLDs and ccTLDs to prevent unauthorized use.
The rise in domain-related fraud also presents opportunities for managed service providers (MSPs) and cybersecurity firms. As businesses struggle to keep pace with evolving threats, MSPs can offer domain security services, helping clients detect fraudulent domains, enforce brand rights, and mitigate phishing risks.
The Role of Corporate Domain Management
Managing a corporate domain portfolio is no longer just about securing a primary brand name—it’s about actively defending against cyber threats and maintaining a resilient online presence. Effective Corporate Domain Management solutions involve a comprehensive set of strategies, all revolving around securing your online presence and your core digital assets.
These strategies include tactics like domain renewals, domain blocking and reliable detection and quick action against infringements. Ultimately, a modern brand’s goal should be the consolidated secure management of an optimized domain portfolio. With the help of domain management experts, and smart software solutions, you can actively register and renew your core domains, and implement domain blocks over critical brand strings.
Domain blocking services provide another layer of protection by preventing unauthorized parties from registering brand-related names across multiple TLDs. Businesses should also stay updated on policy changes, such as WIPO’s ccTLD dispute resolutions, to ensure they have the right enforcement tools in place. Beyond blocking, domain, monitoring solutions help you implement sophisticated patrols of your digital landscape delivering swift enforcement onto abusive domains. With the help of digital risk protection experts, swift enforcements against abusive domains deliver cost effective alternatives to resolving disputes.
Regular domain audits also help businesses identify gaps in their portfolios and assess potential risks. With increasing domain disputes involving AI and emerging industries, companies should consider registering the right defensive domains in high-risk categories. These kind of tactics covers further risks with powerful monitoring, intelligently countering cybersquatting threats. Anti-cybersquatting protocols form part of a well-rounded Corporate Domain Management strategy, along with the seasoned expertise and technological know-how to keep your assets boosted and protected.
Conclusions: Implement WIPO Warnings with a Free Domain Check
The latest reports, and the threats at play, make one thing clear: businesses can no longer afford to take a passive approach to domain security. With cybersquatting, phishing, and AI-driven threats on the rise, proactive management is the key to protecting your brand online.
In light of the WIPO’s reports, we must also remember that it’s not always the right strategy to go in for a dispute in the first place. Blocklisting and Takedowns deliver an integral (and cost efficient) part of a strategy too, especially when considering the vast field of possible variations that cybersquatters can register in the domain space.
EBRAND offers a free domain check to help you assess vulnerabilities in your domain portfolio. Find out if your brand is at risk and take the first step toward a stronger protection of your valuable and business critical digital assets today.
