Developing a trademark domain name

Discussion in 'Legal Issues' started by MakeThatDollar, Nov 10, 2007.

  1. #1
    I own the website http://www.nflsuperbowlads.com and have it just parked currently. I have been wanting to develop it into an actual website with past NFL Superbowl ads and past Superbowl history. Would this be ok to do?

    I sent nfl.com an email asking themselves about it but that was earlier today, and I'm not sure when or if ever I'll receive a response.
     
    MakeThatDollar, Nov 10, 2007 IP
  2. adamk1

    adamk1 Active Member

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    #2
    you should be fine with that, as long as you don't include NFL games or claim to be involved with NFL in any way you should be fine, and the advertisers will like the extra interest.
     
    adamk1, Nov 10, 2007 IP
  3. MakeThatDollar

    MakeThatDollar Notable Member

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    #3
    Yeah true. I think it would be a good site :). I've been wanting to do it for a while but just haven't yet.
     
    MakeThatDollar, Nov 10, 2007 IP
  4. Dave Zan

    Dave Zan Well-Known Member

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    #4
    And if the NFL disagrees, obviously that means nothing.

    Oh, MakeThatDollar, you might want to change the domain name's parking page
    to something else as NFL might have a reason to send you a C&D. Of course, it
    might be too late by then.
     
    Dave Zan, Nov 11, 2007 IP
  5. MakeThatDollar

    MakeThatDollar Notable Member

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    #5
    Change it to what?
     
    MakeThatDollar, Nov 11, 2007 IP
  6. mjewel

    mjewel Prominent Member

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    #6
    The NFL has a long history of suing people who use "Super Bowl" in a domain name if it has anything to do with football. They even sued Coor's Beer over the use of "Super Sunday". Since you already contacted them, you'll just have to wait and see what they say.
     
    mjewel, Nov 11, 2007 IP
  7. MakeThatDollar

    MakeThatDollar Notable Member

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    #7
    So I can't make it a fan type of site or anything?
     
    MakeThatDollar, Nov 12, 2007 IP
  8. mjewel

    mjewel Prominent Member

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    #8
    You can't 100% predict is the NFL would take legal action, but given their history (and they have sued fan sites in the past) I would say there is a high probability they would. While they could sue you for damages and all revenue the site ever generated, more than likely they would just taken the domain. You have two trademarks in the name and there isn't anyway to claim a generic usage. I think there are also official sites that run the commercials, so they would obviously want to protect that. I'm assuming you would want to make the site commercial (run adsense, advertising, donations for bandwidth, etc) so unless you get permission from the NFL, I wouldn't waste time building a site that is likely to get taken.
     
    mjewel, Nov 12, 2007 IP