HELP - Getting sued by a game company

I

IceWarm

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One week ago I received an email in which a game company's lawyer (I won't tell which one) telling me that the domain name itself was copyrighted and some other bullshit. In the conclusion of the email (after 12 pages of legal bullcrap) they told me to transfer the domain to them. I did not hesitate and did that, I unlocked the domain and gave them the transfer code. Now yesterday I receive another email, this time from another organisation Part of the email was:
Do Not Delay: You must respond within 20 days of the commencement date, and a failure to respond can cause you to lose your valuable domain. In addition, your legal and financial exposure may not be limited to the UDRP. The filing of a UDRP does not limit the Complainant's ability to sue you in a court of law under the Anti-Cybersquatting Consumer Protection Act (ACPA) or related cybersquatting law and seek damages.
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At this time I'm starting to shit my pants.. Now TODAY I recevied yet another email in which they ask for thousands of dollars... WHAT THE HELL SHOULD I DO NOW?? I don't have money like that, I stopped my 'illegal' activities a week ago, and just now I get sued.. Small note: Game company is US based, I live in Europe.
 
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First of all, are you sure this is someone sending these emails on behalf of the company? Sounds fishy to me that they got what they asked for and are now asking for money. You very well could have been tricked into thinking it was actually the company, but it was some guy in Nigeria who just wanted to take your domain and extort you for some money in the process. Regardless if the email appears to have come from the domain of the company or what not, I'd make sure you are 100% that it's actually the company or their lawyers emailing you. We've all been here where people make spoof emails trying to get stuff out of us, you just need to pay close attention and find what's real and what's not.
 
The bad news is, I'm sure these are real companies..
 
I don't think he can do anything as any domain can be bought by any one.... if I want to register the domain then I am not going to check whether the name is copyrighted or not.... also I would not transfer the domain except they pay me huge amount for the same....
 
Seems like SCAM. $1000 ? You sure, they wouldnt ask for that less.
If they are big they would ask for $100.000 at least. All sueing would cost a lot if im right.


Im dont know about this, so better contact some attorney and ask him
 
I don't think you have anything to worry about dude honestly, you gave them the domain as soon as they asked for it, what damages could they possibly have given the circumstances, there's no law that says you CAN NOT buy this domain, you didn't REFUSE to give them the domain. You gotta remember anyone can right BS letters to try and scare people, unless its from an actual court or the law i say f them.
 
Just ignore that email, I do get a lot liket his. If you are worried just try to make a call and speak to them, then you will know whether they are real or fake!!!
 
Ignore it. If its a smaller game company it would cost quite a bit to sue you. Its not worth their time or money
 
It just a scare tactic. Just get rid of your domain and they will not bother you anymore.
 
Unless you get a court order in mail or handed to you by a local authority they can't do shit. I've seen this before. Copy right or not you are the rightful owner of the domain name and have the right to sell it or keep it and use it under your own brand. of course if your copying their brand as in design and operations then I would stop that imediatelly but after doing my research on them an calling them out. Many times scammers try to fish out the week by pressing where it hurts and you broke true. Right now what I would do is cancel the domain transfer. Check up on them verify all their information. Try contacting them by means other than email Phone or personal meeting is best. If information is not verifiable I would contact the local authorities fbi cyber devision. They like this kinda stuff.
 
Just so you know, many solicitors give you a free 30 minute consultation or similar the first time you approach them. If you are really worried I would strongly suggest you find a lawyer in your city that handles this area of law and go have a meeting.
 
Sorry don't mean to jack your thread just a situation happened to me similar in a way to yours.
I had a guy pose as an fbi agent threatening me to give my client data base for odometer correction business I run off ebay and on personal website. At first I felt like o F...me I've done it this time. But I decided to fight fire with fire. I contacted the Portland fbi office and simply asked if Agent so and so existed. It took literally 30 mins and I got an answer that he was a fake and asked to forward all email conversations to them. I did and also his personal Ip address. Haven't heard from him ever again. I still wonder what happened to him.
 
The problem is, I did use their logos, but in the footer of the website I told them I was in no was associated with them and that all logos and etc are copyrighted by them.
Luckily I used an email address under another name, I just hope they don't trace it back to me
 
IceWarm said:
The problem is, I did use their logos, but in the footer of the website I told them I was in no was associated with them and that all logos and etc are copyrighted by them.
Luckily I used an email address under another name, I just hope they don't trace it back to me
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Do what MrLimit did. Call them, ask for the person, but dont call the number that has been used in the email. Find out if the person really exist, and if so, talk to him. This will take away the uncertainty.

If he doesnt exist, just let it be..
 
You live in Europe.
The companies are based in US.
What would happen if you just ignored the emails?
Not like they can really find you.
 
Actions like these, and I have been on both ends, are in fact a negotiation. Folding like a cheap suit puts you in a position of weakness, get a backbone and demand a call. Do not send money, any settlement requires paperwork absolving you of further responsibility. Hang tough my friend there is little they can actually do to you.
 
Thank you guys, I will just ignore all future emails and hope I'll be alright.
 
respond with an email saying that to contact the owner of the domain, they have to call a premium toll rate number (belonging to you) , leave them on a hold message for a couple of hours.
 
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