[Question] Trademarks in Domainnames

Discussion in 'White Hat SEO' started by Andi49, Feb 23, 2010.

  1. Feb 23, 2010
    #1
    Andi49

    Andi49 Newbie

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    Hi all,

    as far as I understand it is a bad idea to use trademarks in domainnames.

    So something like:

    sonycamera(.)com


    But are names of products a bad idea too?

    For example if sony has a camera called "alpha 500" can I get in trouble to own a domain like:

    alpha500(.)com ?

    Or lets look at nintendo. Can it get me in trouble to use a domain like:

    wii-games(.)com ?


    Thank you in advance :)
     
  2. Feb 23, 2010
    #2
    victoriavain

    victoriavain Regular Member

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    You can use it till you get the cease and desist letter. If you do buy a trademark domain and do not use it in a compeditive manor then you would would be fine.... maybe.
     
  3. Feb 23, 2010
    #3
    bmac

    bmac BANNED BANNED Premium Member

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    This is a very gray area. If you are not trying to profit from their brand then you are fine. For example you can not registered johndeere.com but you can register usedjohndeere.com if you have a classified ad site selling used john deeres because it is relevant to use.
     
  4. Feb 23, 2010
    #4
    Andi49

    Andi49 Newbie

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    yes but my main question is: what actually is a trademark?

    well "nintendo" is a trademark but is "wii" a trademark too? Or is "alpha 500" a trademark?

    I dont yet get where the line is I have to avoid :)

    What about modelnumbers like if sony had a product with a modelname like "p23450KT"

    is it save to have a domain p23450KT(.)com ?

    Where is the limit :)?
     
    Last edited: Feb 23, 2010
  5. Feb 23, 2010
    #5
    victoriavain

    victoriavain Regular Member

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    Registered Trade Mark = TM

    Google "Trademark" and all the definitions are there.

    My little LLC company is a TM. Anyone can get a TM
     
  6. Feb 25, 2010
    #6
    mrtenev

    mrtenev Junior Member

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    I think there won't be any problem for registering sonycamera.com
     
  7. Feb 25, 2010
    #7
    nodoubtgq79

    nodoubtgq79 Junior Member

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    just follow the stipulations of the trademark

    each one has different rules and you have to check to see if they are even TM on

    Code:
    http://www.uspto.gov/trademarks/index.jsp
    click on search marks
    new user
    then enter the name and click search
     
    • Thanks Thanks x 1
  8. Feb 25, 2010
    #8
    killxp

    killxp Junior Member

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    As mentioned, there is a bit of a gray area here. You could in fact get in trouble for any of those but that chances that you actually do are up in the air.

    I would just stay away in general. Just my thoughts.

    Kind Regards,
    killxp