According to The Next Web, Twitter is planning to release neglected usernames from inactive accounts so that other users can have them.
Like with domain names the chances of getting a short username on Twitter are slim to none and so this is sure to create a lot of from brands that are late arriving on the Twitter scene. Unlike with domain names - which are contractually owned by people - the fact that Twitter has the power to terminate and hand over usernames to others will be music to people’s ears.
One of the problems I have found with twitter is the difficulty in finding brand and personal profiles through Twitter search and Google search. Naturally people who predicted the power of Twitter and early adopters saw a chance to snap up celebrity and brand usernames and due to this it has created a somewhat haphazard landscape. Also the inevitable problem of people sharing usernames with brand names (John Lewis for example) has also been problematic and difficult to resolve through trademark appeals.
Brands such as John Lewis could take advantage of neglected usernames
With Twitter taking a stand against spam accounts, allowing trademark brands to appeal for their username and now relinquishing usernames from inactive accounts it seems as though they are attempting to clean up the Twittersphere - which can only be a good thing. Also with Google adapting their algorithm to understand Tweet quality eventually there may be better brand recognition of brand usernames from Google in natural search listings as this is an area that has been found wanting so far.
According to Twitter an account is perceived as inactive ‘if it hasn’t been logged into or updated in over 6 months’ so if you are in the possession of a sought after username and you haven’t used your account for sometime then it is a good idea to get using it again; that’s unless you are no bothered.