Microsoft****.com - Trademark issues?

mholt · 08-24-2005, 02:34 PM

Hi,

Would domain name Microsoft****.com have any legal issues?

Just wondering since I want to make a site where all anti-microsoft and pro-google & apple users can come together.

Would they sue me?

EDIT: Don't answer this - I'm guessing YES.

downloadfreak · 08-24-2005, 02:53 PM

yes, mircosoft have a history and it is a very strong TM. They will not like the idea you own a site which is anti Microsoft which also has microsoft in the domain name.

don't even bother reg'n.

commes · 08-24-2005, 03:19 PM

yah, i think there would be some just cuz its got microsft in the name even, but dont take my word seriously im justa bigginer in the domain name business

Jiblob · 08-24-2005, 03:29 PM

Anything with Miscoroft written on it, dont reg

mholt · 08-24-2005, 03:37 PM

Okay, how about:

MS****.com ?

dabb · 08-24-2005, 03:51 PM

You can look at Microsofts UDRP history here:

http://www.icann.org/cgi-bin/udrp/udrp.cgi?q=microsoft

From that, it seems like they only go after sites trying to present themselves as being directly associated with Microsoft. However, that doesn't mean you won't get a C&D or other nasty stuff. I'd personally avoid any names with any of the big corporations in them.

mholt · 08-24-2005, 03:57 PM

So would MS****.com be okay?

Keynes · 08-24-2005, 06:00 PM

Originally Posted by compuXP

So would MS****.com be okay?

It depends on the use. If you're intending to promote an "MS" product of theirs, then you still may have issues. While they don't have the term trademarked, they can still win a dispute on the name. In general, I would stay away from it.

mholt · 08-24-2005, 06:07 PM

Okay, my new question then: Could I register MS****.com for an anti-microsoft site, not advertising or promoting any of their products? Just bashing them?

Keynes · 08-24-2005, 06:17 PM

Originally Posted by compuXP

Okay, my new question then: Could I register MS****.com for an anti-microsoft site, not advertising or promoting any of their products? Just bashing them?

Bad idea. If you're going to do that, use a generic name not even close to one of their TMs.

**Dave Zan** · 08-24-2005, 06:20 PM

Let's put it this way.

Whether you got a microsoft-bearing domain name or not, they can sue you if
they've got grounds for doing so.

mholt · 08-24-2005, 06:26 PM

Okay, thanks all.

MerchantPinto · 08-25-2005, 12:04 PM

Microsoft is pure evil haha. good luck with your anti microsoft site!

GJ · 08-25-2005, 12:07 PM

If it has anything negitive about Microsoft with Microsoft in the domain then yes, you will be in trouble. If you are saying good things about there product then you won't be in trouble.

netzilla · 08-25-2005, 12:08 PM

I would advise against it because in the end if they really don't want you to use the domain because of TM reasons I bet they end up with it in their domain account :-)

**Michelle** · 08-25-2005, 10:01 PM

Big BIG no no

Stay well away it will only end in tears

08-24-2005, 02:34 PM	THREAD STARTER #1 (permalink)
mholt DNOA Member Join Date: May 2004 Posts: 5,040	Microsoft**.com - Trademark issues? Hi, Would domain name Microsoft**.com have any legal issues? Just wondering since I want to make a site where all anti-microsoft and pro-google & apple users can come together. Would they sue me? EDIT: Don't answer this - I'm guessing YES.

08-24-2005, 03:19 PM	#3 (permalink)
commes Senior Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Regina, Sask, Canada Posts: 1,318	yah, i think there would be some just cuz its got microsft in the name even, but dont take my word seriously im justa bigginer in the domain name business __________________ Friendly Birthday Party Games \| Elvis Presley: What You Didn't Know \| Study Trouble? \| The Dumbest of Dumb Laws! Styledboarder.com

08-24-2005, 06:20 PM	#11 (permalink)
Dave Zan Electrifying Guy Join Date: Sep 2003 Posts: 4,827 Follow @DaveZan	Let's put it this way. Whether you got a microsoft-bearing domain name or not, they can sue you if they've got grounds for doing so. __________________ *Vidi, Vici, Veni!* Follow My Tweets \| Check My Blog

08-25-2005, 12:04 PM	#13 (permalink)
MerchantPinto NamePros Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 139	Microsoft is pure evil haha. good luck with your anti microsoft site! __________________ Brand Name Watches \| TV shows

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08-24-2005, 02:53 PM	#2 (permalink)
downloadfreak Account Suspended Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Norfolk, England. Posts: 1,057	yes, mircosoft have a history and it is a very strong TM. They will not like the idea you own a site which is anti Microsoft which also has microsoft in the domain name. don't even bother reg'n.

08-24-2005, 03:29 PM	#4 (permalink)
Jiblob Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: .co.uk Posts: 2,237 Follow @coultonluke	Anything with Miscoroft written on it, dont reg

08-24-2005, 03:37 PM	THREAD STARTER #5 (permalink)
mholt DNOA Member Join Date: May 2004 Posts: 5,040	Okay, how about: MS****.com ?

08-24-2005, 03:51 PM	#6 (permalink)
dabb NamePros Regular Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 345	You can look at Microsofts UDRP history here: http://www.icann.org/cgi-bin/udrp/udrp.cgi?q=microsoft From that, it seems like they only go after sites trying to present themselves as being directly associated with Microsoft. However, that doesn't mean you won't get a C&D or other nasty stuff. I'd personally avoid any names with any of the big corporations in them.

08-24-2005, 03:57 PM	THREAD STARTER #7 (permalink)
mholt DNOA Member Join Date: May 2004 Posts: 5,040	So would MS****.com be okay?

08-24-2005, 06:07 PM	THREAD STARTER #9 (permalink)
mholt DNOA Member Join Date: May 2004 Posts: 5,040	Okay, my new question then: Could I register MS****.com for an anti-microsoft site, not advertising or promoting any of their products? Just bashing them?

08-24-2005, 06:26 PM	THREAD STARTER #12 (permalink)
mholt DNOA Member Join Date: May 2004 Posts: 5,040	Okay, thanks all.

08-25-2005, 12:07 PM	#14 (permalink)
GJ Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 2,226	If it has anything negitive about Microsoft with Microsoft in the domain then yes, you will be in trouble. If you are saying good things about there product then you won't be in trouble.

08-25-2005, 12:08 PM	#15 (permalink)
netzilla Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 1,716	I would advise against it because in the end if they really don't want you to use the domain because of TM reasons I bet they end up with it in their domain account :-)

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)

08-25-2005, 10:01 PM	#16 (permalink)
Michelle Be Happy... Don't Worry Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: UK Posts: 16,265	Big BIG no no Stay well away it will only end in tears