FROM CYBERSQUATTING TO META TAGGING – THE EXPANDING SCOPE OF TRADEMARK INFRINGEMENT IN THE DIGITAL SPHERE

With the rapid expansion of digital commerce, trademark infringement in the digital sphere has grown in complexity and scale.In 2024, trademark owners from 133 countries filed 6,168 domain name complaints under the UDRP marking the second highest annual figure, highlighting the global rise in cybersquatting and related online violations.This paper examines how traditional trademark protection has evolved to address online issues such as cybersquatting, meta-tagging, keyword advertising and impersonation on social media.These tactics divert consumer attention thereby