"Squatting is registering a domain for its own sake."
Actually no.
The closest true definition I [1] can come up with for "squatting" [2] would be defined as such (from wikipedia):
--------------
"Cybersquatting (also known as domain squatting), according to the United States federal law known as the Anticybersquatting Consumer Protection Act, is registering, trafficking in, or using a domain name with bad faith intent to profit from the goodwill of a trademark belonging to someone else. The cybersquatter then offers to sell the domain to the person or company who owns a trademark contained within the name at an inflated price."
--------------
So to clear up any misconception there is no problem registering a domain that a) you don't intend to use or b) you plan to sell or c) being in the business of buying and selling domains as long as you don't break any existing laws around trademarks (as only one example). Of course there are also issues with UDRP's and law firms reverse hijacking domains but that's an entirely different subject.
Lastly of course people who can't get the domain they want always will throw around the "c" word as if it's simply not fair that they can't have what they want when they want it. In a similar vein people are also opposing legitimate real estate and other property transactions if it personally effects them.
[1] I operate an ICANN registrar and I've been in this business since 1996. I've been quoted in the NY Times on domains and many other places. I'm one of the people asked about this type of thing and consult on the subject.
I think conflating the issue with trademarks narrows my definition. "For its own sake" means registering a domain for no incentive beyond the status or vanity of holding that name, i.e. just because it looks cool or it's short, funny or memorable.
I still think it's squatting if I registered yoursurname.com, even though it's not a trademark and wouldn't meet your definition under the ACPA.
I still think it's squatting if I have no intention of ragging you in to buying yoursurname.com from me. Maybe I just derive satisfaction from having something you want?
Actually no.
The closest true definition I [1] can come up with for "squatting" [2] would be defined as such (from wikipedia):
--------------
"Cybersquatting (also known as domain squatting), according to the United States federal law known as the Anticybersquatting Consumer Protection Act, is registering, trafficking in, or using a domain name with bad faith intent to profit from the goodwill of a trademark belonging to someone else. The cybersquatter then offers to sell the domain to the person or company who owns a trademark contained within the name at an inflated price."
--------------
So to clear up any misconception there is no problem registering a domain that a) you don't intend to use or b) you plan to sell or c) being in the business of buying and selling domains as long as you don't break any existing laws around trademarks (as only one example). Of course there are also issues with UDRP's and law firms reverse hijacking domains but that's an entirely different subject.
Lastly of course people who can't get the domain they want always will throw around the "c" word as if it's simply not fair that they can't have what they want when they want it. In a similar vein people are also opposing legitimate real estate and other property transactions if it personally effects them.
[1] I operate an ICANN registrar and I've been in this business since 1996. I've been quoted in the NY Times on domains and many other places. I'm one of the people asked about this type of thing and consult on the subject.
[2] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cybersquatting