The idea behind Watchdog Nation is that consumers can use smart tools and strategies to avoid financial troubles, but when trouble appears, you can fight back and win. Another part of Watchdog Nation is that we sincerely promote the concept that you can stand up to the largest institutions in society and still beat them at their own game.
Can you imagine that happening in China?
Watchdog Nation was founded by Dave Lieber
Ironically, Watchdog Nation is the subject of a Chinese Internet domain registration scam. Someone is asking Watchdog Nation to purchase these Asian-related Internet domains — watchdognation.cn, watchdognation.com.cn and watchdognation.asia.
We think not.
The very idea of Watchdog Nation in China? Well, it ain’t gonna happen.
Here’s how we know this is a scam. The email comes from someone at this domain — ygnetwork.net. But you can’t access this domain in the U.S. Yet notice how it’s equally close in name to an actual domain — http://ygnetwork.cn/.
ygnetwork.cn describes itself as:
YGNETWORK, headquartered in Shanghai, is a leading provider of domain name registration and web hosting services. Since its establishment, we commit to Chinese network system and network technology development. We provide comprehensive network solutions to help our clients reach their business goals and objectives.
Close enough to fool some. Then I found a posting on this Internet scam here titled “Domain Registration Scam in China.”
Here are two notes sent to Watchdog Nation from the scammer:
From: Angela [angela.zhang@ygnetwork.net]
Sent: Wednesday, July 14, 2010 12:33 AM
To: WatchDog
Subject: Notice of Intellectual Property-Trademark NameDear Manager,
We are a Network Service Company which is the domain name registration center in Shanghai, China. On July,13th,2010, We received HUATAI Company’s application that they are registering the name “watchdognation” as their Internet Trademark and “watchdognation.cn”,”watchdognation.com.cn” ,”watchdognation.asia”domain names etc.,It is China and ASIA domain names.But after auditing we found the brand name been used by your company. As the domain name registrar in China, it is our duty to notice you, so I am sending you this Email to check.According to the principle in China,your company is the owner of the trademark,In our auditing time we can keep the domain names safe for you firstly, but our audit period is limited, if you object the third party application these domain names and need to protect the brand in china and Asia by yourself, please let the responsible officer contact us as soon as possible. Thank you!
Kind regards
Angela Zhang
And this second note from them, after I wrote back that I wasn’t interested:
Re: RE: Notice of Intellectual Property-Trademark Name
Dear Manager:
Thanks for your prompt reply.We knew you have registered the domain name “watchdognation.com” and own the intellectual property, this is why we informed you.But now the Investment company wanted to apply for other cn/asia domain names and Internet trademark Keyword you have not registered yet,like “ www.watchdognation.cn, www.watchdognation.com.cn, www.watchdognation.asia“. It’s china and asia domain name. You must know Domain name takes open registration, this is international domain name registration principle. So the Investment company has right to register them. As a domain name registrar, we have no right to dispute their application.So required by China government to inform your company to protect your interest. But as the company whose trademarks relate to the applied domains, you will get the priority to register these domain names.
Of course, each company has their own idea. If you don’t think their application will affect your company, you can give up, we will finish their registration. The Investment company will become the legal owner of these domain names in the world.
You will be responsible for the loss caused by the matter yourself. But if you think these domain names are useful for your company, we can send an application form and the price list to you and help you register these within dispute period. This is the only way to prevent domain name grab. Pls let us know your decision soon, so that we can handle the next step.
Looking forward to hearing your reply.
Best regards,
Ms Angela
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FINAL NOTE: The Watchdog Nation domain in the U.S. is safe. We own com, biz, info, mobi, net, org and us.
Watchdog Nation TIP: If you ever want to open a business or start a movement, buy your domain with as many extensions as possible to prevent domain squatters from cashing in on your success.
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Dave Lieber, The Watchdog columnist for The Fort Worth Star-Telegram, is the founder of Watchdog Nation. The new 2010 edition of his book, Dave Lieber’s Watchdog Nation: Bite Back When Businesses and Scammers Do You Wrong, is out. Revised and expanded, the book won two national book awards in 2009 for social change. Twitter @DaveLieber
