Using a Generic Name That's a Trademark

Discussion in 'Legal Issues' started by ItsAFastWorld, Feb 24, 2007.

  1. #1
    I have an interesting question.

    Assuming that there is a corporation that's called 'International Food'.

    Now if someone wanted to open a site, called 'internationalfoodinformation' or 'internationalfoodthreats', would this constitute an infringement. :confused:

    I can't imagine it would, as it's compeltely unfair...
     
    ItsAFastWorld, Feb 24, 2007 IP
  2. Dave Zan

    Dave Zan Well-Known Member

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    #2
    Life's unfair. Get used to it.

    Usually registering a domain name bearing a generic term is insufficient to say
    it's automatically trademark infringement. It depends on a variety of factors
    such as your intended use, how close it cuts to a trademark, etc.

    I could register shellreviews.ext and input adsense to cover costs. But if the
    adsense displays competing oil products, I can expect to hear from Shell.

    Then again, there's nothing really to stop others from claiming your domain is
    infringing their trademark rights, if any. This is a risk every registrant has to
    take.
     
    Dave Zan, Feb 25, 2007 IP