What do you think ? saw an google ads on top and follow it can this guys stay up long enough to make a buck ? can microsoft shut down their site ?
Once they start making money, they'll be noticed by MS and will be taken to court. Microsoft is a trade mark, trade mark infringement is much more serious than copyright infringement. They can, will, and should be shut down
Wow that site has so many sponsor ads and has a PRAGERANK 2 . well wont stay for long . he is just wasting his time . As soon as MS finds out . they are gonna sue him .
Talking about Trade mark issues here. It's registered as a domain name, if it is not allowed then why they allow to register it. According to Whois info Domain Name: MICROSOFTCOMPANY.COM Created on: 14-Oct-09 Expires on: 14-Oct-10 No one has taken any action yet.
What is the site just a directory article type of site right? Kind of a little unusual domain name to select for the site, but I guess everyone has a dream and idea.
Of course they can shut him down BUT i think microsoft has other bigger issues to take care of so probably they wont bother..
Can MS shut it down? Well, they can ask certain authorities to and go through legal channels. They can threaten the host. If a site uses a brand name and can show cause as to why, example: allstateinsurance.org then even small people can keep domains. I'll bet a lot of people here use warriorforum as well. I just found out there is a warriorforumsucks.com. I doubt if warrior forum gives a hoot, just like MS could give a hoot. And let me point out that allstateinsurance.org. clearly uses a brand name and copied logo, is displaying google adsense. Too many people jump in without really knowing what dynamics are at work. If you use microsoft in a domain, and pass yourself off as a microsoft site or a competitor, then maybe microsoft will get themselves in a tizzy and take legal action. Hate sites and parodies seem to have the upper hand. Sites that just use brands for marketing, probably not the way to go. Stephen C
Microsoft is known as one of the more aggressive companies when it comes to their trademark - anyone who says otherwise is a moron. They have taken thousands and thousands of domains that infringed on their trademarks, and sued many others for $100k. Microsoft can take the domain via a UDRP action or file a lawsuit. Some trademark holders look the other way, or aren't very aggressive - Microsoft isn't one. It will only be a matter of time before they take action on the domain.
Yes Microsoft can take the site down. It's against the law to register a domain that violates a company's trademark.
this really funny MS is build on copyright theft and various other IP infringements. read 'fire in the valley ' for more info on how bill gates stole everything from xerox and steve jobs http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0168122/ wiki http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pirates_of_Silicon_Valley
That website is a violation of the Microsoft trademark because of the way it is being used but owning the domain microsoftcompany.com is legal as long as you do not compete with Microsoft the company. How you own a domain like microsoftcompany.com and not compete with them is beyond me but it can happen with protest sites like consumer reviews. This guy screwed himself with the Google ads and poor content which also violates his Adsense agreement and jeopardizes his entire account.
Usage can determine infringement, however, in the case of a famous mark like "microsoft" it has much more broad protection and just owning the name alone would cause consumer confusion and constitute trademark infringement/squatting. If this was a mark like "Apple" - then it would be different and usage would be the determining factor.
The content posted under that domain and proper disclaimers can make a huge difference. If you make a user forum or editorial reviews, that is a fair use of the trademark and it's protected by law. If you want to make a obviously for profit website and "milk" the brand recognition... well, you better have an army of lawyers backing you.