Coinbase has filed a lawsuit against the owner of the domain coinbase.de, accusing him of cybersquatting and violating its affiliate program.
Lawsuit Against Tobias Honscha
On Thursday, Coinbase filed a lawsuit in a California federal court against Tobias Honscha of Isernhagen, Germany. The company claims that Honscha registered and used the domain coinbase.de to mislead users and redirect traffic to unrelated apps.
Accusations of Bad Faith Use
Coinbase states that it only recently became aware that Honscha was using the site to redirect visitors to an app for trading physical coins. Furthermore, the domain was used to host a Coinbase affiliate link, violating the program's terms. The complaint alleges that Honscha is acting in bad faith to profit from the brand's reputation.
Demands from Coinbase
Coinbase is requesting the court to award damages, revoke any affiliate earnings linked to the domain, and compel the transfer of coinbase.de to the company. They also warn that the domain may have been used for email services, creating risks for users.
The situation surrounding the coinbase.de domain highlights the importance of brand protection and identity in the digital landscape, especially in the rapidly evolving world of cryptocurrency.
