When is cybersquatting NOT cybersquatting?

Let's get this straight - I'm not going to talk about trademark or typo cybersquatting here. Some people do that, most don't, and most domainers are at least attempting to clear up any trademark issues.

What I am going to talk about is those people who call anyone with any parked, undeveloped or under-developed domains a cybersquatter. The argument is usually revolves around wondering why the domainer should have such useful domains and not actually do anything with them. They feel that the domainer should be forced to give them up or sell them for a pittance.

There is one thing in common here, in that most of these people don't actually hold any real valuable domains themselves, either due to coming to the party late or simply being unable to pay the high prices that premium domains command.

But this whole feeling of theirs is irrational, even at a cursory examination. When you mention things like private number plates, they have no problems. When you mention land ownership they also have no problem. But domain names? They just simply don't get it. Just like the guy with CAR 1on his car won't give it to you, and the owner of a scrap of land being used as a car park in the middle of town won't sell it for peanuts, a domainer won't give their assets up cheaply.

Reasons why a domainer won't give it back/sell it for a pittance:

1. They own it. Not you.
2. It might get a huge number of direct type ins
3. It could well earn a fortune in PPC revenue
4. The name could be worth millions of dollars to the right buyer

So when you want to make an offer on a domain name, put it into context. There is only ONE of each domain. If the domainer sells it to you, they can't make another one the same. They sell it - it's gone. If the domain is premium, then so will the price be.