Comments on: Cybersquatting Warning – Domains & Lawbreaking

By: John

John — Mon, 02 May 2011 23:36:06 +0000

I was almost gonna buy NFLDraft2013.Com before I read this article. Thanks for clearing this up Author.

By: TinaT

TinaT — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 02:28:10 +0000

Those sites were just an example of my predicament... TinaTs last blog post..Wordtracker Vs. Google Keyword Tool

By: TinaT

TinaT — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 02:27:08 +0000

Hi,
Hopefully Holly or someone will respond to this. This issue is now on the back of my mind. I am about to register a domain name but now I’m second guessing what I’m doing. There is a website with the same name but it we are both selling a product, not a brand. I will give an example. The website is http://www.silverforks.com. I want to register http://www.silver-forks.com. We both will be selling silver forks. There is a good possibility that if I register I will be taking some of their business. I have done a trademark search and it is fine. So???? Does this mean I can register? They are not eliminating competition are they? They just don’t want people buying domains with the ill intent of selling them back for profit.

Anyone? Anyone???

TinaTs last blog post..Wordtracker Vs. Google Keyword Tool

By: Link

Link — Sat, 17 Jan 2009 20:19:28 +0000

Hello,

Ironically, I just had an experience right along these lines.

I’m starting a 2nd site. The domain name I wanted (and several other variations) were already taken by cybersquatters. I asked them how much to buy the one I wanted and they said $2200.00. Can you believe that? I would never do that!

I came up with another very good domain name which is not taken and will soon buy it for $10.00 thru my Web Host Provider.

Link

By: Holly

Holly — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 18:11:35 +0000

Hi Tina,
Good question and thank you for asking it. Your first question was about if you used a name and attached the word “review” to it – if that was what I meant by a “broader acceptable domain name.” In general, it is not acceptable if the name or brand is a trademark or even well-known.

That is not a big problem (for me) – and I appreciate all of your promoting Tina. I don’t have a problem with you using the domain(s) you have for that. The main problem with the domain thing is when someone specifically buys a domain name of a well-known person or company, with the main purpose of selling it to the person or company to get a profit. You didn’t buy my name or honestriches.com as a domain and then try to get me to buy it off of you. That would be considered cybersquatting. With other companies though – you can’t buy a term that contains their trademark with adding “review” or something else to the domain. You may get away with buying it and using it – but at any time the company or person could ask you to transfer it over and then they may file a case if you don’t.

I was also reading an article about this that stated you cannot buy a domain name like: http://www.microsoftsucks.com or something along those lines. Then Microsoft would definitely try to put an end to it because it is their brand, and because someone is trying to bash it online publicly.

Personally, if you are concerned about the issue and have any questions just email me. I appreciate people promoting for me and if you have a site that has some of my name or book in it – and aren’t sure – just email.

By: TinaT

TinaT — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 17:28:00 +0000

Thanks for the info Holly. Good to hear from you again.
So I’m wondering as I have a couple of sites with your name in them as you already know but with the word review attached to them? Is this the broader acceptable domain name you were referring to?
Are you saying that people who have been doing affiliate sites who managed to snatch names of the companies they are promoting all have to change their names?

This could be quite confusing – especially when the person who’s name it is is directly profiting as in the case of affiliate sites. I know this will affect you Holly because your name is everywhere and many of the sites are not owned by you.

Suggestions? Anyone? I am meaning as to what people should do who’ve already got long term established sites using this method???

TinaTs last blog post..Wordtracker Vs. Google Keyword Tool

By: annaverawilliams

annaverawilliams — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 08:14:24 +0000

I think its very important and useful that you post this kind of information. A new marketer can easily overlook these types of things and might inadvertently take the wrong move without intending to. If you are only thinking about keyword research its easy to forget that a trademarked keyword might get a high search vrs competition ratio but that doesn't necessarily mean one should use it in a domain name. Particularly in affiliate marketing, if you create a site which is dedicated to promoting a certain product or a certain person's product, this is something to watch out for. Its very easy to forget. annaverawilliamss last blog post..Validation Movie