Question About Domain Names and Copyright

[moneyveteran]

Hello, I have a question about what words I can use in my domain name, specifically regarding copyright or any legal issues.

For example, am I allowed to create a domain called iphonecases.com and sell iphone cases

or samsungcases.com

Will I receive any trouble in the future for having a domain name like this? Should I just avoid any brands in my domain name?

 

[Wiggles]

Two very clear trademarks there.
If small no one will care, if you make it big someone could ask for the profits and more...
Risk in UK or us etc is huge

 

[Stavro]

Using a trademarked word within the domain itself can cause issues, though legally the most you'll lose is the $10 domain itself, and potentially (rarely) any profits made due to using the trademark.

That said, you will be legally fine if you use phonecases.com/iphone, or phones.com/cases/iphone, and so on.

 

[moneyveteran]

Two very clear trademarks there.
If small no one will care, if you make it big someone could ask for the profits and more...
Risk in UK or us etc is huge

Thank you for your reply

Using a trademarked word within the domain itself can cause issues, though legally the most you'll lose is the $10 domain itself, and potentially (rarely) any profits made due to using the trademark.

That said, you will be legally fine if you use phonecases.com/iphone, or phones.com/cases/iphone, and so on.

Thank you for replying. I also have a follow up question. What is the legal issues with creating a phone case with a gucci or LV logo on it? Would I get into trouble with Gucci or LV with that as well?

 

[Wiggles]

I've been hit by TM issues before. Due to a word and a small icon that was similar to another company no one has ever heard of.

Lawyers ask TM holders if they want a free or low cost monitoring and then they hit you with a bill including their fees to avoid court.
The big guys will have teams of people chasing down TM issues.

If you're in a different country I expect you can ignore the letters.

If you want to make counterfeit goods then that's a thing, but isn't much to do with internet marketing.

 

[Stavro]

Thank you for replying. I also have a follow up question. What is the legal issues with creating a phone case with a gucci or LV logo on it? Would I get into trouble with Gucci or LV with that as well?

Physical goods are a different category entirely.

Domain issues typically fall under the UDRP, a purely civil matter. Shipping counterfeit items falls under mail fraud, a criminal offense, in addition to any other laws and regulations that would apply based on the exact situation.