Is this a potential infringement ?

As an example.

If my website sold John Deere tractors and I purchased a domain name of "JDtractors.com". Could this be construed as copyright infringement ?

 

It's trademark infringement if you do not have permission from the trademark owner.

 

Best bet would be to ask them directly. Some corporations, in addition to having their corporate name trademarked, have additional variations of their corporate name trademarked as well.

 

So "JD" is obviously a trademark of John Deere ???

 

"JD" alone isn't, but when your site is about tractors, it sure is. "JD" is a trademark owned by John Deere (Serial Number 73418807). If your site is about tractors, you have to be very careful about trying to ride the goodwill established by the trademark holder - that's infringement. If it is possible the domain might cause confusion, you're screwed.

If you aren't trying to ride their goodwill, use tractorsunlimited, joestractors, thetracktorplace, etc. Don't use JD, don't use Deere or Deer, or anything similar unless you want a potential lawsuit.

 

No. Even if oe letter is different that will not be considered in the way you have described

 

Please explain