How to release a Twitter username (handle) if you own a trademark
As mentioned in my previous post about ideas for Twitter usernames when yours is taken, there is almost no way of getting hold of it.
As Twitter states clearly on their website, they don’t have a Twitter username reservation policy and all usernames are registered on a first come, first serve basis.
It basically means, if a username that you want has already been taken, you have a slim chance of getting hold of it.
However, for those of you that own a trademark for your business, you may be in luck!
If the Twitter user that has registered the username has infringed on your trademark, you can report a trademark violation.
This doesn’t guarantee you anything, other than that Twitter will investigate.
You can report a trademark issue using this form and you will typically need the following information at hand:
- The issue in question and how someone is impersonating or infringing your trademark
- Your full name, telephone number and company email address
- Your job title and relation to the company
- Company name and full details, including current Twitter username
- The username of the account in question
- Details of the trademark, including online link (if you have one) to the trademark record
- The class type of the trademark and what it covers
The details that you provide may vary depending on the nature of the infringement.
Twitter will then investigate and notify you of the results by email.
If you only want the @username and they’re not infringing upon your mark, the chances are you’ll get an email from Twitter to say they won’t be taking any further action.
Even if they’re not infringing on your trademark, you still might have luck if the @username is in-active. If the account is clearly in-active, you may receive a follow up email to say this and they MAY transfer you the username.
If they do release the @username to you, they will typically give you instructions on the transfer, including:
- If you want the @username to replace your existing @username on Twitter – all of your profile and tweets remain intact, as if you were renaming your account in the usual way
- If you want Twitter to transfer the @username to a holding account for you
Now in theory, if you don’t have a trademark, you could register one for approximately £170 for one class type. It will take approximately three months until its registered, providing there are no objections.
So, you could look at doing this if you don’t already have one.
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