Username claims in the United States

Names, script and spelling in United States

American usernames sit in a market with four main time zones, English as the default and a large Spanish-speaking audience. Names with a tilde or an accent need a plain-letter spelling for Snapchat, whose rule names Latin letters. Plan the spelling once and use it on all three platforms.

One username on three platforms

Read the username rules guide and same username on every platform before you settle on a spelling.

Local rules and what they do not cover

There is no single federal privacy law for consumers. States such as California have their own, and the Federal Trade Commission polices unfair or deceptive practices. A platform’s decision about a username sits outside both. The price is agreed in your chat or email first, and a failed claim is covered by the refund policy.

Reference points: trade marks are handled by the US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), and personal data by state regulators and the Federal Trade Commission. These are not legal advice.

Before you ask for a claim

1. See whether the username is taken, inactive or free with the username check.
2. Settle one plain-letter spelling that fits all three platforms.
3. Collect proof tied to the name: a mark, a business record or a profile that is posing as you.

The brand and trademark guide covers the proof side.