DMOZ is it trademark?

Hello,
Is dmoz trademark and any legal action be taken by dmoz for any site using dmoz in its domain name?

Regards

 

You'll get definitive answers from AOL's legal department. Editors aren't authorized to answer such questions

 

dmozsucks.com would probably be safe. And judging from this forum, well read.

 

well i wanted to start something about dmoz with dmoz in the domain name not dmozsucks.com thats mean.

But something resourceful so i should be contacting who exactly?

 

Google for AOL legal department . It seems to rank #1 for those keywords .

 

I keep getting RZ as #1.

 

Simple reply would have been so much simpler i think.

Regards

 

From other forum i got this :

" It appears that dmoz.net is trying to emulate dmoz.org. dmoz.net is not registered to aol. I'm surprised aol did not trademark the name "dmoz". "

Hmm dmoz is not a trademark after all and i can use it. Plus it does not appear on http://www.uspto.gov/main/trademarks.htm

 

http://legal.web.aol.com/

 

dude photofox did u read them, they are all relate to bulk spam. I see nothing about using dmoz, well atleast it does not exist in us trademarks database. plus there are 12 sites currently on sale with dmoz in it.

So i doubt dmoz is a trademark.

Butthanks for the efforts.

 

Paidhosting, you asked for a way to contact AOL Legal - photofox gave you a website that has a means of contacting AOL Legal on it.

 

Thanks lmocr i thought he was pointing me to spam cases.

Regards

 

man its aol they have loads of money dont you think they should invest some money in designing that site lol i mean it looks like cra*

 

You got only half right. You are right that DMOZ is not registered as trademark but they can always claim the first use. It will be a complicated case if they decide to do something about it but I hardly doubt that since they are not making any money on DMOZ, it is already dying and AOL has much bigger problems like losing market shares and money to care about this. On the other hand their claim about copyright on DMOZ category structure and content is just bogus and load of crap.

 

The US recognizes common law trademarks - they don't need to file for a Federal Registration to establish rights. Using DMOZ in a domain name that is similar in usage, or relates to "DMOZ" would certainly be trademark infringement. Whether or not they do anything, or take the domain, is anyone's guess. Without getting permission in writing, you are at risk.

 

Some editors aren't authorized to answer ANY questions. Many SHOULDN'T answer any questions. Some aren't actually authorized to do anything at all.

 

From whom ?

Would I be Shot ? Would I be Imprisoned ? Would I be Mugged ? Would I be Slammed ?

C'mon dude. Maybe right now you or someone in your family is wearing a Levis made in my country or a Nike Shoes made in Hong Kong that was sent to New York and re-tagged.

When I was there all they could do is RED TAG the culprit who did not put a Backlink.

 

They made a deal with Stained glass mafia, all there websites get in no question asked in return SGM takes care of anyone not giving credit to DMOZ and nobody ever finds there bodies - didn't you get suspicious about all those extra cleaning order you've been getting from Stained glass manufactures.

 

Putting a backlink has NOTHING to do with trademark infringement. You are confused with the DMOZ terms for using their database, not using their trademark in a domain name. If you infringe upon any trademark, they can sue you for ALL revenue the site has ever generated plus damages and can certainly take your domain name. A Federal Registration also allows for treble legal fees.

As I said, I have no idea is DMOZ would enforce their trademark, but it a risk anyone who infringes upon a trademark takes. I'm not even a big fan of DMOZ, but that doesn't mean I'm going to say "go ahead, risk being sued" - that wasn't the question (perhaps you missed that).

As far as purchasing counterfeit goods, it is technically illegal and there are laws on the books that allow for prosecution for "possession of counterfeit goods" - and although I doubt a purchaser of a fake Rolex watch is going to have charges filed against them - there are many cases of hard prison time being given to the sellers of counterfeit goods.

Ignorance of trademark laws has cost many people a lot of money - even their homes - and I would suggest you read up on the consequences before you "insert foot in mouth" again.

 

1. Original OP Question
2. Hmm dmoz is not a trademark after all and i can use it. Plus it does not appear on http://www.uspto.gov/main/trademarks.htm
3. Nice response. Thank you but I know Trademark Laws too with UnTrademark Laws.