Should I change my domain name?

L

Linegend

Newbie

Dec 25, 2014

5

0

• Mar 10, 2015

• #1

Hello,

I have bought the domain name instamag.fr . I realized a bit later that it's the name of a famous mobile application too. So here I'm wondering if should I keep that domain name. Also , I'm wondering if I have the right to use it?
I plan to share in this website funny viral contents.

The app instamag is not that popular in my country (France). But in the same time, I have some people that has started to circle me in Google+ while I didn't post anything. I'm not sure I like it ethically and if it's great value to keep it. What do you think ?

Thanks you

 

Last edited: Mar 10, 2015

B

benmac95

Registered Member

Oct 8, 2014

76

8

• Mar 10, 2015

• #2

yes you would most likely have the right to use it in your country if you trademark that name. You might have problems with instagram as that is a national trademark. I personally would stay clear.

 

ugjunk

Elite Member

Jan 1, 2011

2,628

769

• Mar 10, 2015

• #3

As long as the word instamag word is not a trademark, you wouldn't have any legal issues.

 

actproxy

Regular Member

Jr. VIP

Nov 5, 2014

486

31

• Mar 11, 2015

• #4

I agree, just because a word looks similar doesn't mean you'll get in trouble for it, and you also have a slight name recognition that might start people clicking.

 

L

Linegend

Newbie

Dec 25, 2014

5

0

• Mar 11, 2015
• Thread Starter Thread Starter

• #5

Thanks you for your inputs.

It is for sure that the word "Instamag" is a trademark name since it's a popular app. But the fact that I use .FR extension and I put it forward in my trademark , will it be ok ?

Also, if it's possible I woud like to hear more thoughts about using a famous brandname. Do you think it's good value to create a confusion between this name and my website? Or, there would have too much drawbacks?

Thanks you

 

Last edited: Mar 11, 2015

kbklash

Supreme Member

Jun 2, 2012

1,202

466

• Mar 12, 2015

• #6

If you plan to use it commercially,then its time to move on,and grab a new one.

 

W

webonic

Junior Member

Jun 27, 2014

127

12

• Mar 13, 2015

• #7

By my opinion i would change it and set close related to service.

 

D

Deleted member 254739

Guest

• Mar 13, 2015

• #8

I think OP is talking about this: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.instamag.activity&hl=en

Not Instagram.

They seem big enough where they could pursue you legally if they wanted to. Not that it's likely, but if you don't want to take any risks then you should change it.

 

K

kalios

Junior Member

Feb 28, 2010

111

20

• Mar 25, 2015

• #9

Linegend said:

Thanks you for your inputs.

It is for sure that the word "Instamag" is a trademark name since it's a popular app. But the fact that I use .FR extension and I put it forward in my trademark , will it be ok ?

Also, if it's possible I woud like to hear more thoughts about using a famous brandname. Do you think it's good value to create a confusion between this name and my website? Or, there would have too much drawbacks?

Thanks you

Click to expand...

If the other company decides to pursue legal action, it won't matter what TLD extension you are using.

It would be similar to using Facebook.fr. It's still Facebook's trademarked name. And, Facebook would litigate the issue.

There is a chance the app company won't notice your site though. So who knows.