What can I do with this premium domain?

[Branson_00]

Hi there,

I have recently bought a very promising, exact match domain name that targets a very famous brand in technology. It looks similar to this: macbook.support. The exact match search makes tens of thousands monthly, because that brand is very famous.

I am wondering what's the best use of that domain name? Should I contact that brand's company and offer it for sale? Or should I build a professional looking website and sell that brand's products?

Any suggestion is appreciated.

 

[Afterglow]

1. If it is a copyrighted term, it'll get taken down as soon as gets any traction.
2. PLEASE don't do call centre or any sort of scam with this. PLEASE DON'T.

 

[693840]

Pray that they don't sue you if it contains a copyrighted name.

 

[Branson_00]

1. If it is a copyrighted term, it'll get taken down as soon as gets any traction.
2. PLEASE don't do call centre or any sort of scam with this. PLEASE DON'T.

Yes, it's a copyrighted term, but many websites have that term and running without an issue since years. And I don't plan to do any scam or call center, I plan to make a legit informational website on that brand's products. Is that also bad?

One important question here: I have clearly stated in my logo that it's an UNOFFICIAL support website that's not managed by the original company. Won't that help?

 

[Branson_00]

Pray that they don't sue you if it contains a copyrighted name.

I do pray for that, but why they don't sue websites like macbook-world.com and so on?

 

[693840]

I do pray for that, but why they don't sue websites like macbook-world.com and so on?

They are promoting the brand for free

 

[ygg]

If you create a community/fan site, you might get away with it, as long as you promote and help the brand.
Any commercial use of the domain is a no-no. There's a reason this type of domains are freely available.

 

[Afterglow]

Yes, it's a copyrighted term, but many websites have that term and running without an issue since years. And I don't plan to do any scam or call center, I plan to make a legit informational website on that brand's products. Is that also bad?

One important question here: I have clearly stated in my logo that it's an UNOFFICIAL support website that's not managed by the original company. Won't that help?

So you'll be spending thousands dollars on SEO and then pay for your laywer after it gets ranked. Excellent ROI

PS: There are times when people get away with this but I honestly wouldn't risk my money on such a risky thing.

 

[R4v3nbl4ck]

Yes, it's a copyrighted term, but many websites have that term and running without an issue since years. And I don't plan to do any scam or call center, I plan to make a legit informational website on that brand's products. Is that also bad?

One important question here: I have clearly stated in my logo that it's an UNOFFICIAL support website that's not managed by the original company. Won't that help?

If you provide useful content I think you should be fine. There are some very popular sites with brand names in their domains (Android Police, 9 to 5 Google, Windows Central, and so on).

 

[Starblazer]

Create a support website or forum that helps the community with helpful answers. Bank on the niche by selling products through Amazon affiliate links.

It is extremely important to keep a disclaimer in your footer stating that you're not representing the company. This will shield you from any legal action. But if the big companies want to sue you, they can always find a way. So, better be nice with them and act like you're helping their users like a friendly neighborhood spiderman.

 

[ygg]

Create a support website or forum that helps the community with helpful answers. Bank on the niche by selling products through Amazon affiliate links.

It is extremely important to keep a disclaimer in your footer stating that you're not representing the company. This will shield you from any legal action. But if the big companies want to sue you, they can always find a way. So, better be nice with them and act like you're helping their users like a friendly neighborhood spiderman.

Don't do that.
Do not monetize in any public ways or you will get shut down, and possibly sued for your earnings and possible damages to the company. Making any money from it may cause complications.

Buying a brand name domain is a mistake many IMers do, I've done it myself. Actually, I received a letter 2 weeks later that I have to transfer them the domain - it didn't even have a website on it, just nameservers pointing to my hosting. I paid for the transfer too...

Forget about it, let the domain expire and move forward.

 

[Starblazer]

Don't do that.
Do not monetize in any public ways or you will get shut down, and possibly sued for your earnings and possible damages to the company. Making any money from it may cause complications.

Buying a brand name domain is a mistake many IMers do, I've done it myself. Actually, I received a letter 2 weeks later that I have to transfer them the domain - it didn't even have a website on it, just nameservers pointing to my hosting. I paid for the transfer too...

Forget about it, let the domain expire and move forward.

It depends on the brand. I've seen some sites monetizing big brand names with a disclaimer in their footer. But I agree with the fact that they can do whatever they want. We don't have the money or time that their legal departments have.

 

[Vccbaba]

I also think you should not this for commercial use as it will get copyrighted. As already discussed, you can build a forum or community around it. It will be beneficial for brand and you also because then you put affiliate links in it and can have better use then using it for selling there products or copyrighted products. If you will use it like sell there products you will of course get copyrighted, and its also not worth it. Better create a blog or community around which helps users to know about brand . In long term, you can get more benefits this way.

 

[Crewchief007]

One cannot assume that ALL domain names that MAY fall under a trademark will be contested by the trademark owner.

Somewhere around 2003, I won an auction for an expired EMD .com domain name that CLEARLY came under the tradmark protection of a MAJOR brand. I rolled the dice and paid roughly around $600.00 USD. (Caveat, I do not recomment this course of action unless you are prepared to lose your investment).

My thinking at the time was, churn and burn and move on; it would have been worth it!

Remember, at that time there was no Estibot, moreover, my attorney advised against the purchase. Concerning that domain name, here is what Estibot has shown since 2009.




I've made money with this trademarked domain name since I purchased it; never once have the legal beagles from that corporation contacted me. If they ever do, I'll assess my options at that point. BUT! I'm not worried about it in the slightest. The domain is owned by one of my corporations, which is tucked away in Holding Corporation, which is under the ownership of an overseas trust. Which means, I have ZERO personal liablity!!!

Switching gears, there was a corporation that trademarked a name and built a MAJOR business on that name; the problem was, I had acquired ALL of the TLD related to that name prior to their trademark application.

Once their trademaek application was approved, their attorney sent me a cease and desist letter along with a demand to immediateyl relinquish ALL of the domains to their clients.

I responded by advising them; IT's NOT GOING TO HAPPEN! See you in court! We went back and forth for roughly two years before they accepted defeat. They never filed a suit against me, but they spent tons of money on attorney fees.

My critical points are;

1. Never assume the outcome!
2. Always evaluate and assess your risks versus the rewards.
3. Never take legal advice from untrained, inexperienced and unlicensed keyboard legal beagles
4. Always consult a trademark attorney on these issues
5. The final call is on YOU!
6. Learn how to make your assets BULLET PROOF!

Hope that helps!

 

[Branson_00]

So you'll be spending thousands dollars on SEO and then pay for your laywer after it gets ranked. Excellent ROI

PS: There are times when people get away with this but I honestly wouldn't risk my money on such a risky thing.

I will not spend a dime on SEO. The name looks so official that it can hopefully attract many naive users on social media and search engines.

I will try my luck with that, and being a citizen of a non-western country may help avoid any legal responsibility, hopefully.

 

[Branson_00]

If you provide useful content I think you should be fine. There are some very popular sites with brand names in their domains (Android Police, 9 to 5 Google, Windows Central, and so on).

Your reply makes me optimistic, thanks. And yes I think things go this way, although my domain name doesn't have any additional letter to the brand name, so it looks very official.

 

[Branson_00]

Create a support website or forum that helps the community with helpful answers. Bank on the niche by selling products through Amazon affiliate links.

It is extremely important to keep a disclaimer in your footer stating that you're not representing the company. This will shield you from any legal action. But if the big companies want to sue you, they can always find a way. So, better be nice with them and act like you're helping their users like a friendly neighborhood spiderman.

Thanks for your helpful reply. I plan to do that, but I plan to monetize by placing ads.

 

[Branson_00]

Don't do that.
Do not monetize in any public ways or you will get shut down, and possibly sued for your earnings and possible damages to the company. Making any money from it may cause complications.

Buying a brand name domain is a mistake many IMers do, I've done it myself. Actually, I received a letter 2 weeks later that I have to transfer them the domain - it didn't even have a website on it, just nameservers pointing to my hosting. I paid for the transfer too...

Forget about it, let the domain expire and move forward.

Oh, that's a horrible story. Hope this won't happen, but if it does, I will wait until ICANN shuts down the domain, it's something I am keen to venture.