I have started a directory (bddir.com) couples of months ago. Some guy from another directory is sending me email regarding my domain name. I would like to know what you guys have to say regarding an email I have received today. The email is self explanatory. So read on.. ------------------------------------------------------
You're NOT using similar domains what they're using. If you made a site with Bangladeshdir.org then it could be an issue. There are far difference with two names. BTW, I'm from Bangladesh too.
They just want your .com, don't listen to it. If you're going to give up that easily, make sure they pay you every cent that you paid getting links, etc for it. I've only ever gave my domain away because it was Warner Brothers wanting it, and it was for a stupid name and a -. But, that was actually copyrighted, so there's my fault of not looking into it properly.
Both "Bangladesh" and "directory" are general terms. Can anyone actually register them as trademark? I don't think so. Their original name is bangladeshDir.com and I think it is stupid that they are going to claim copyright of any abbreviation including mine (bddir.com). Their site name is not a registered trademark and their contents are way different than mine. nice to know vegabond that you are from Bangladesh.
If this were to end up in a USA court, the judge would laugh and throw out their claim. I would block their E-mail's as it is one of the dumbest complaints regarding a domain name I have seen. It's not even worth responding to the E-mail you received. They apparently have no common sense and are trying to scare you into handing over a domain they want...
Short of "Bangladeshdir.com" being trademarked or copyrighted, I do not see what they can do. They are attempting to scare you into relinquishing your domain. Unless you receive a cease and desist from an actual attorney, I'd pretty much ignore this. Now if you are using their content, and other items, they would have an issue. The names do not seem similar or confusing to me, and I think it is a stretch on their part to imply such. If you get a letter from an attorney, you should look into this further. If this was just an email from them, I'd again, ignore it.
The contents in my directory are of course different. So far, I have less than 10 submissions as I have not yet done any marketing. I think I can use that against them as harassment.
Go get your name trademarked then send them a C&D lmao!!! On a serious note, they have nothing that you should be afraid of. Similar content, I havn't looked at the site, but there is nothing confusing between the domain names, I could see if you did something like bngledeshdir or something similar to their name, but bddir is no where close enough for them to be able to get anythign from you. Reply back and tell them you will give them the directory for twice as much as you value your time working on the site as well as the domain registration and any fees you have received/paid.
It's actually a spam attempt to get you to register the other names with the company that just spammed you.. Ignore it..
I would say this is enough to indicate that the person responsible for writing this is probably a school boy who is not matured enough to understand there is NO such thing as "cyberlaw".
In order for this company to succeed on a legal action against you or your domain, it would have to demonstrate a both likelihood of confusion between the two domains and your bad faith use of the domain. Based on your descriptions, that seems unlikely to impossible in this situation.