(sub) domain laws?

Discussion in 'Legal Issues' started by scott1995, Apr 23, 2009.

  1. #1
    Hello, I know it is trademark infringement to register a domain with a trademark in it, but what about sub domains? (Like co.cc, afraid.org, etc). Even though they can be used as domains, they technically aren't since they have shared traffic, and don't show up as real domains in whois searches.
     
    scott1995, Apr 23, 2009 IP
  2. mjewel

    mjewel Prominent Member

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    #2
    I think there are limited test cases on third level domains. The big one was against google for a blogspot domain (jewsforjesus) and it was settled before it went to court (it was turned over). There have been trademark lawsuits for meta tags, and of course, just content on a site where the domain name itself wasn't infringement.

    If you are trying to ride the goodwill of a trademark, and they have enough money, they can bury you in legal fees long before you get through the courts - regardless of if they will prevail in the end. Few people would want to spend hundreds of thousands in legal fees over a third level domain.

    I would say you are less likely to have legal issues, but yes, it is still possible.
     
    mjewel, Apr 24, 2009 IP
  3. scott1995

    scott1995 Active Member

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    #3
    Ok, thank you for your answer. Its not that I wanted to get a sub domain for that purpose, but this has been nagging me for some time. Wouldn't it then be cyber squatting what co.cc does, a big sub domain "registrar", since they charge people only for trademark domains really.
     
    scott1995, Apr 24, 2009 IP