Subdomain+domain = Trademark

Discussion in 'Legal Issues' started by hovesh07, Mar 3, 2010.

  1. #1
    Hi All,

    If I have a review site or blog that has a generic name, then I add a generic name for a subdomain, do I run into trouble if the two together make a registered trademark?

    Imaginary Example 1:
    ShackSales.com is a site for review the latest sales and deals at Radio Shack.
    Then I add a subdomain "radio". Now the url would be: radio.shacksales.com

    Imaginary Example 2:
    CardinalsShopper.com is an affiliate marketing site pushing Arizona Cardinals fan gear.
    Then I add a subdomain "arizona". Now the url would be: Arizona.CardinalsShopper.com

    Is this legal?
     
    hovesh07, Mar 3, 2010 IP
  2. manofwar

    manofwar Active Member

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    #2
    Depends how far you go... I know that goo.gle.cm or something like that was sued or taken offline at some point. :cool:
     
    manofwar, Mar 3, 2010 IP
  3. mjewel

    mjewel Prominent Member

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    #3
    People have been sued for trademark infringement over their meta tags, and what you are talking about poses a much greater chance of confusion. If the trademark owner "thinks" it is infringement, do you want to be sued and forced to spend tens of thousands of dollars in a legal defense? I certainly wouldn't do it - I think the examples you gave are clearly infringement. Use a sub-directory i.e. shopper.com/arizona-cardinals/
     
    mjewel, Mar 3, 2010 IP
  4. muschi

    muschi Peon

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    #4
    if you plan to play with the infringement, forget it.

    if it happens once or twice by accident, its not bad
     
    muschi, Mar 3, 2010 IP