xbiz world
xbiz premiere

Yahoo Charges 3 Netherlands-based Adult Dating Sites With Cybersquatting

SANTA MONICA, Calif. — Yahoo today filed a cybersquatting claim against the operator of three adult dating sites running out of the Netherlands on charges the domain names are too similar to its Tumblr and Flickr brands.

The claim, filed at WIPO, says that operator of the sites is exploiting its brands that it has trademarks for. Yahoo acquired online photo archive site Flickr in 2005 for $25 million and micro-blogging service Tumblr in 2013 for $1 billion.

The sites named in the claim include FlickrDating.nl, TumblrSexDating.nl and TumlrSexDating.nl.

Each of the sites are hosted by Totaaldomein in the Netherlands under masked registrations, and the identity of the operator wasn’t made available in the WIPO claim.

FlickrDating.nl, TumblrSexDating.nl and TumlrSexDating.nl each redirect to other dating programs.

"This is pretty brazen cybersquatting," Marc Randazza of Randazza Legal Group told XBIZ.

Randazza, who isn't representing any of the parties involved in Yahoo's claim, said that he couldn't see what defense the registrants could possibly have. 

"Dutch law is very much harmonized with all other countries' laws when it comes to trademark infringement, and I can not see any result here except a complainant victory," he said. 

Related:  

Copyright © 2025 Adnet Media. All Rights Reserved. XBIZ is a trademark of Adnet Media.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited.

More News

Sansyl Group Acquires Blue Donkey Media

Sansyl Group, parent company of AdultPrime Network, has acquired Blue Donkey Media B.V., owner of Dutch adult site Meiden van Holland, among several other erotic websites and television channels.

Pineapple Support to Hold Mental Health Summit

The annual Pineapple Support Mental Health Summit is taking place Dec. 15-17.

Ofcom Fines AVS Group $1.3 Million for AV Noncompliance

U.K. media regulator Ofcom on Wednesday imposed a penalty of one million pounds, or approximately $1.3 million, on AVS Group Ltd. after an investigation concluded that the company had failed to implement robust age checks on 18 adult websites.

Updated: Aylo to Help Test EU Age Verification App

Pornhub parent company Aylo plans to participate in the European Commission’s pilot program for its “white label” age verification app, a spokesperson for the company has confirmed.

Missouri Lawmaker Attempts to Revive 'Health Warnings' for Adult Sites

A Missouri state representative has introduced a bill that would require adult sites to post notices warning users of alleged physical, mental, and social harms associated with pornography, despite a previous federal court ruling against such requirements.

New Age Verification Service 'BorderAge' Launches

French startup company Needemand has officially launched its subscription-based age verification solution, BorderAge.

Ruling: Italy's 'Porn Tax' Applies to All Content Creators

Italy’s tax revenue agency has ruled that the nation’s 25% “ethical tax” on income generated from adult content applies even to smaller independent online content creators.

Proposed New Hampshire AV Bill Appears to Violate Constitution

A bill in the New Hampshire state legislature, aimed at requiring adult sites to age-verify users in that state, contains a provision that seemingly contradicts the Supremacy Clause in Article VI of the U.S. Constitution.

AEBN Publishes Report on Fetish Trends

AEBN has published a report on fetish categories from its straight and gay theaters.

Online Child Protection Hearing to Include Federal AV Bill

A House subcommittee will hold a hearing next week on a slate of bills aimed at protecting minors online, including the SCREEN Act, which would make site-based age verification of users seeking to access adult content federal law.

Show More