Facebook has filed a lawsuit in the U.S. District Court of the Northern District of California against two web hosting companies, OnlineNIC and ID Shield, alleging trademark infringement and cybersquatting.
Facebook alleges that the two web hosting companies offer tools for phishing and hacking accounts on the social network and Instagram.
Facebook reportedly said that the defendants have hosted several websites that offer tools meant to hack into the social network and its Instagram photo- and video-sharing network.
Facebook alleges that the some of the websites hosted by OnlineNIC and ID Shield were designed to resemble official Facebook and Instagram URLs and login pages in an attempt to obtain users’ login information.
Facebook alleges that the defendants were reportedly sent a takedown requests but ignored while infringing on its trademarks.
According to the lawsuit, Facebook reportedly named some Domain names alleged to be hosted by the defendants including buyinstagramfans.com, facebook-fans-buy.com, facebook-mails.com, facebook-pass.com, facebook-pw.com, facebookphysician.com, facebookvideodownload.net, findfacebookid.com, hackingfacebook.net, hacksomeonesfacebook.com, iiinstagram.com, instaface.org, instagram01.com, lamsocialfacebook.net, login-instagram.com, m-facebook-login.com, singin-lnstargram.com, trollfacebook.com, www-facebook-login.com and www-facebook-pages.com.
Facebook is seeking $100,000 in damages for each domain name, totaling at least $2 million.
The Case is ongoing.
Facebook, Inc. et al v. OnLineNic Inc et al
| Judge: | Susan Van Keulen |
| Court: | California Northern District Court |
| Case #: | 5:19-cv-07071 |
| Nature of Suit: | Trademark |
| Cause: | Trademark Infringement |
| Case Filed: | October 28, 2019 |
