Comments on: Trademarks in Domains?

By: BLOGERCISE

BLOGERCISE — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 12:01:11 +0000

I have registered a few in the past but now avoid them like the plague. The turning point came when I got my first scary legal letter. It was at that point that I realised I didn’t want the time, expense, or hassle of taking on any of these disputes (and I’m not sure I would have lost) and therefore decided to stay clear.

If you don’t mind kicking up a bit of a fuss and have some funds kept aside for legal advice then perhaps those more “generic” trademarks are worth a go.

By: mac-geek

mac-geek — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 21:50:50 +0000

I have a couple of sites where I have done something similar to the baby walker example and used part of the product name and that’s as far as I’d risk it personaly.

I also have a few other sites where I have used completely generic words to describe a product and I’m outranking sites that have the brand name and product name in the domain.

By: awgthomas

awgthomas — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 18:11:16 +0000

I don’t think your example used will be an issue as it is to generic.

I used to retail mobile phones online and remember the network trying to place a block on anyone using 3 or three in a domain name.

In the end they couldn’t and as they had no chance of getting their name as a trademark. The network ended up working with me to ensure that they were protecting their brand.

I have a cracker lined up at the moment and its a product of Adidas…but I am at the same crossroad as you are and fear they could come down on me.

By: James

James — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 13:10:02 +0000

It’s hit and miss on the keywords that relate to the product. I usually start with a trademark search for the keyword, using http://www.uspto.gov/trademarks/index.jsp

Also, it depends on the company or the size/priminence of your site, it might fly under the radar and you’ll be OK.

I guess in these cases it’s always the risk/reward payoff.