Is it legal to use a company name on the domain?

It would be obvious that I'm not trying to confuse anyone, and I would actually use the site to make fun of their company.

Are there any trademark/patented names that are always off limits?

 

For me they are all off limits. You might just be inviting hassles you don't need.

 

With that sort of usage i'm sure they won't be impressed.

If you used it as some sort of fan site, or promotional site for their company i doubt they would care. When you use their name to try and make them look stupid make sure you put an image of a dart board on your homepage, because you will be a target.

 

My first webmaster error was aol....com and aol....com
With in 2 months I had a man at my door having me sign for papers.
100k a domain.
Cost me money at the time with a lawyer just to handle paper work with the end result of turning over the names.

Be careful when playing this game.

 

You will get legal notices if your regiater a domain with a trademarked name.

 

But wouldn't this fall under fair use? If I am making fun of a person's name in the domain, then there is no consumer confusion...obviously I wouldn't be part of their company.

 

Yeah but it is a fine line you are walking on because they could sue you for libel or defamation or whatever they can throw on you.

If you understand and are prepared for the consequences then go ahead. Otherwise, it is better to move on with life and do something constructive for a change.

 

You'll be in deep troublez

 

I agree with what others are saying here, it could bring you uneeded trouble and stress, the big companies always know they have the money, lawyers and resources to deal with anyone.

It may be best avoided.

 

As far as I know it is not illegal. But they can get your domain name anytime they want.

 

if the name is a trademark, then its illegal.

 

Intentionally including a company name, even if a parody, is looking for trouble IMO..

 

Huh? aol....com? What is that?

 

What makes you think that since it's not fully accurate?

While there's no law saying it's illegal under anyone's jurisdiction to register a
domain name bearing a trademark (except maybe a country code extension or
so), there are certain legal and administrative decisions limiting their usage.

Some of you folks ought to think first before you post.

 

There's a website called Paypalsucks dot com, so why are they allowed to be up?

 

Ah, that's a loooooooooooooooong story. PayPal probably thinks they ain't worth
dealing with...for now.

Shorthand is if you register a domain name that has a term being used as a TM,
coupled with showing hints of commercial use, and the mark holder has pockets
deep enough to enforce their beliefs, expect trouble.