After more than two decades, the creator of Paint.NET finally owns the domain paint.net, and it’s all thanks to a ‘slam dunk case of trademark infringement’
Paint.NET, a popular free image editing software, has finally acquired its domain namesake after more than two decades. The program, created by Rick Brewster and launched in 2004, has historically been hosted at getpaint.net rather than paint.net—a peculiarity that has persisted since the software’s inception.
Rick Brewster announced the acquisition on Bluesky on Friday with enthusiasm, stating “I got the domain! I finally got it!” This achievement reportedly came through what Brewster described as a “slam dunk case of trademark infringement,” suggesting the previous domain holder was operating in violation of trademark law.
Paint.NET has long served as a free alternative to Adobe Photoshop, offering much of the professional software’s core functionality with a more user-friendly interface compared to similar open-source tools like GIMP. Despite its name recognition and functionality, users have had to navigate to getpaint.net to download or access the software, creating a friction point for new users seeking the intuitively-named domain.
The acquisition represents a meaningful victory for Brewster and the Paint.NET community. Securing the primary domain will likely improve accessibility and search engine optimization for the project, making it easier for new users to discover the software. This development also highlights ongoing issues around domain ownership and trademark protection in the digital space.