Legal Query

Spirited · 07-30-2004, 02:44 AM

My friend owns a community site aimed at teenagers on a .net domain for several years. Unfortunatly we have just discovered that the same URL.com is an adult porn website.

A friend has suggested that we should complain about that use since .net and .org are teen-friendly sites. Is there any precident set for such a desicion and who would we complain to if there is?

I didn't think there would be anything we could do about it but if there is I would like to try. I don't want the porn site bringing our own into disrepute or for teens to end up there instead of our own site.

Any ideas?

Redleg · 07-30-2004, 02:48 AM

If he doesn't have trademark on the (domain) name, then I don't think there's much he could do to stop them...

sibaong · 07-30-2004, 03:47 AM

If they have TM before you, then you who must give the domain to them

domainlab · 07-30-2004, 04:24 AM

These last posts are not entirely correct unless the trademark is covering the same classes of goods or services you want to cover in your activities which I guess is definitely not the case here.

What can you do - not much - there is nothing to stop anyone using the .com for whatever they want just as you are free to use the .net for what you want.

The only suggestion is change your name to something that you can get all the gTLDs covered off - i.e. you are able to register .com, .net, .org, .biz, .info

hope that helps

Anthony · 07-31-2004, 09:51 PM

Offer to buy the .com, if you can afford the asking price!

If not, your best bet would be to buy a new teen domain name (preferably .com) and just forward the old .net name there. This is especially necessary since your site is aimed towards kids, I think.

07-30-2004, 02:44 AM	THREAD STARTER #1 (permalink)
Spirited NamePros Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Devon, UK Posts: 76	Legal Query My friend owns a community site aimed at teenagers on a .net domain for several years. Unfortunatly we have just discovered that the same URL.com is an adult porn website. A friend has suggested that we should complain about that use since .net and .org are teen-friendly sites. Is there any precident set for such a desicion and who would we complain to if there is? I didn't think there would be anything we could do about it but if there is I would like to try. I don't want the porn site bringing our own into disrepute or for teens to end up there instead of our own site. Any ideas?

07-30-2004, 02:48 AM	#2 (permalink)
Redleg Ultima Ratio Regum Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Up North Posts: 2,080	If he doesn't have trademark on the (domain) name, then I don't think there's much he could do to stop them... __________________ IP Whois + Geolocation\|Geolocate your IP\|Dynamic Forum Sigs <meta name="Jedi Mind Trick" content="Buy my domains, you will!">

07-30-2004, 03:47 AM	#3 (permalink)
sibaong NamePros Fansâ„¢ Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: NamePros Posts: 2,701	If they have TM before you, then you who must give the domain to them __________________ Charity Ribbons - Together, We Create A Special World!

07-30-2004, 04:24 AM	#4 (permalink)
domainlab NamePros Member Join Date: May 2004 Posts: 61	These last posts are not entirely correct unless the trademark is covering the same classes of goods or services you want to cover in your activities which I guess is definitely not the case here. What can you do - not much - there is nothing to stop anyone using the .com for whatever they want just as you are free to use the .net for what you want. The only suggestion is change your name to something that you can get all the gTLDs covered off - i.e. you are able to register .com, .net, .org, .biz, .info hope that helps __________________ Free eNom $8.95 accounts always available

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07-31-2004, 09:51 PM	#5 (permalink)
Anthony NamePros Expert Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: NYC Posts: 9,132	Offer to buy the .com, if you can afford the asking price! If not, your best bet would be to buy a new teen domain name (preferably .com) and just forward the old .net name there. This is especially necessary since your site is aimed towards kids, I think.

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