Recently, I started a site with the domain name http://obamadales.com Obviously, what happened is that I mistakenly typed the e in the wrong place, as I really wanted my domain to be obamadeals.com. I am now getting hits from the uspto.gov site (U.S. patents and trademark office) So I ask, just how screwed am I? Thus far, I am received to legal letters or emails, but I am getting a little anxious. What would you do if you were in my position? Would a simple disclaimer saying that this site is in no way affiliated with Bloomingdales help?
I would probably dump the domain (at least after the year is up, in the mean time redirect it). Not because I think it is infringing or that the USPTO thinks so. I would change it because it is likely people won't remember it well. deals, yes. dales, not so much. Generally speaking, while anything is possible, most people (including big corporations) are not likely to sue a small website with no revenue generation. At most, if there is a conflict (though I don't think it would be bloomingdales) you will have to transfer over the domain. That being said, if there is a conflict, it is always possible the owner is not a reasonable person.