I registered a .net with a large company name

Discussion in 'Legal Issues' started by Calamity, Jun 30, 2009.

  1. #1
    I got a little bit overexcited and did it without thinking. The domain is www.company-name.net Is this legal or can I get sued? The page is in the same field as the company but its obvious its not associated with the company. Its a "customer review/guide" page, uses no company graphics or logos and explains what it is and gives copyright to the company and so on in the footer.
    What should I do now? Try to sell it? Park it? Just take the page down at let it sit until it expires?

    Also for the future, if this is illegal, how close to the company name can i go? Is companyname-countryname.com or companyname-reviews.com legal for instance?
     
    Calamity, Jun 30, 2009 IP
  2. mjewel

    mjewel Prominent Member

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    #2
    You can't use trademarks in a domain when you are talking about the product or in a similar field. You are certainly infringing upon their trademark. Yes, you can be sued.

    You should turn the domain back to the registrar (check for their exact procedure). Parking and offering it to sell it are not a good idea.

    In the future, keep company names completely out of your domain name.
     
    mjewel, Jun 30, 2009 IP
  3. Calamity

    Calamity Peon

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    #3
    Thanks for your answer. Why is it a bad idea to sell the domain?
     
    Calamity, Jun 30, 2009 IP
  4. Dave Zan

    Dave Zan Well-Known Member

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    #4
    Oh, look up cybersquatting. You'll eventually see why.
     
    Dave Zan, Jun 30, 2009 IP
  5. hostlonestar

    hostlonestar Peon

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    #5
    Helps prove bad faith to put it simple like for you.
     
    hostlonestar, Jul 4, 2009 IP