The story is simple, almost all "adcenter" extensions have been registered and it just happens that the .ws was free. So I took a deep breath and registered it. I have checked the domain owners of other extensions and here is some information about them: So I would like to ask what should I expect if I make a website on this domain and start competing with others for "adcenter" keyword? Seems that all the domains have different owners and I haven't checked if "adcenter" is branded, but I am almost sure it is. Your thoughts?
If the domain you registered is used in such a way that it dilutes anyones trademark, they can easily dispute it. Looking at uspto (dot) gov, I see 4 live trademarks for ad center and 1 live for adcenter. Appears to be filed August 28,2007 for Microsoft. In the domains you noted above, they (domains) were created well before Microsofts trademark. Unless they infringe on Microsoft's trademark, there is little they can do to take those domains from them. Your domain however, is at risk. It certainly depends on how you plan to use it.
Thank you for answering showbird, I was also wondering if this problem could be solved by registering a trademark as adcenterws or adcenter.ws ?
You could certainly trademark that term, providing it has no relation to any of the existing trademarks. This may prove to be difficult if involving Online advertising. Such a use would violate Microsoft's trademark. The other trademark holder appears to sell wine. There may be more trademarks in other regions, but that is what I found on a quick search. Below is the usage of Microsoft's trademark: IC 035. US 100 101 102. G & S: advertising services; advertising via electronic media and specifically the internet; advertising by transmission of on-line publicity for third parties through electronic communications networks; and dissemination of advertising for others via the Internet. FIRST USE: 20050600. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 20051018