question Got the fabled copyright email for my domain name

[CryptoInvestor]

So during my stage of domaining idiocy (when I first started) I registered maybe 3-4 names with “Apple” “amazon” and “intel”.

I still have one and totally forgot about it, but I got an email from a company with the EXACT 2 words I chose to register. The company is currently using a .co.uk extension, I have the .com

If there is someone very educated on Copyright laws that can message me that would be wonderful! I’d like to talk with you!

So the message I first recieved was this:

“Hi *******,

We noticed you had registered ************.com which is our registered brand name, we’ve been looking for this domain name for some time. Would you be willing to release this domain into our jurisdiction?

Please contact me back to discuss this further.”

I responded with a short message as i wasn’t %100 aure if he was trying to buy it or forcefully take it, I said:

“Absolutely, thanks for reaching out. Please do send an offer if interested.”

The next email I recieved was this:

“Thanks for responding swiftly, our company is an accredited registrar here in the UK and we are well adapted to the domain industry. We’re looking to secure the .com version of our brand name, which you are currently in possession of.

We would appreciate the offer being sent to us with your asking price. We are willing to pay the current market price for it to cover your initial costs of registration. However since this is our registered brand name, please do understand that we are within our rights to pursue all data and copyright/trademark infringements through our legal counsel. We hope it does not come to this point, however we do by law need to make you aware of the potential outcome of sitting on trademarked domain names.

Thank you!”

What is my best action here? Just give them the domain? I don’t really care if I have to, like I said I forgot about it, I just wanna know my options. If I could make money off it, i’d like too but I understand that copyright laws can be tricky. Would really appreciate a PM do I can disclose the full details, like the domain name, the company name ect.

 

[alcy]

well they made it pretty clear that the most money they'll be willing to let you make off it is yoru registration cost back. its up to you if you want to ask for more, as long as you understand it is also more than they're offering for it.

 

[djmc50]

.
offer for a maximum of $ 250

 

[Premiums]

Why is this in the news?

 

[CryptoInvestor]

well they made it pretty clear that the most money they'll be willing to let you make off it is yoru registration cost back. its up to you if you want to ask for more, as long as you understand it is also more than they're offering for it.

Thanks for the reply! Yea I got that part I just kind of want to understand how they got to use the name for their business without infringing on a trademark for the real Giant business using the name. I’ll message you! Its hard to get the full details without me giving you all the info

 

[Premiums]

So during my stage of domaining.. I registered maybe 3-4 names with “Apple” “amazon” and “intel”.

it's #squatting.

 

[Criterion811]

Personally I wouldn't push it. As Alcy has said, they are pretty clear. Although perhaps you could charge an 'administration fee' which is suitably low so it's not worth their time to argue, but sufficient enough to make you a small profit margin. It sounds to me as if they would rather pay a nominal fee to aquire the name rather than go through the hassle of legal proceedings, so you need to ascertain what their 'nominal fee' is exactly.

Out of interest, when were they incorporated and when did you buy the name? If they were formed after you registered the name then technically you had the domain first.

 

[CryptoInvestor]

Why is this in the news?

Leave it to the mods to move it. Its better than a “Theres no money in domaining!” Post lol

 

[Josh R]

Thanks for the reply! Yea I got that part I just kind of want to understand how they got to use the name for their business without infringing on a trademark for the real Giant business using the name. I’ll message you! Its hard to get the full details without me giving you all the info

PM me the domain name ..

 

[CryptoInvestor]

Personally I wouldn't push it. As Alcy has said, they are pretty clear. Although perhaps you could charge an 'administration fee' which is suitably low so it's not worth their time to argue, but sufficient enough to make you a small profit margin. It sounds to me as if they would rather pay a nominal fee to aquire the name rather than go through the hassle of legal proceedings, so you need to ascertain what their 'nominal fee' is exactly.

Out of interest, when were they incorporated and when did you buy the name? If they were formed after you registered the name then technically you had the domain first.

I agree, i believe they were in business before I reg’d the domain! Funny cause I just hand regged it like it was nothing, apparently they’ve been “looking for some time” I think i’ll just say $100 and thats it

 

[CryptoInvestor]

PM me the domain name ..

Will do!!

 

[Criterion811]

I agree, i believe they were in business before I reg’d the domain! Funny cause I just hand regged it like it was nothing, apparently they’ve been “looking for some time” I think i’ll just say $100 and thats it

Yeah, it's a strange one because if they were intent on getting the name for nothing they wouldn't have offered to pay you a penny, they would have just started legal proceedings through an adjudicator surely? So maybe they are trying to put you off giving a super high offer price?

 

[CryptoInvestor]

Yeah, it's a strange one because if they were intent on getting the name for nothing they wouldn't have offered to pay you a penny, they would have just started legal proceedings through an adjudicator surely? So maybe they are trying to put you off giving a super high offer price?

Thats exactly what I was thinking, why even offer me money for it if you can take it no problem? The keyword is “Intel” and its in no way affiliated with “Intel” the company

 

[Criterion811]

Thats exactly what I was thinking, why even offer me money for it if you can take it no problem? The keyword is “Intel” and its in no way affiliated with “Intel” the company

Say no more, wouldn't want you to compromise your position if they find this thread! Yeah, personally I would come in at a low offer to recoup some investment and make a bit of profit, whilst sidestepping any hassle.

Good luck, keep us updated

 

[CryptoInvestor]

Say no more, wouldn't want you to compromise your position if they find this thread! Yeah, personally I would come in at a low offer to recoup some investment and make a bit of profit, whilst sidestepping any hassle.

Good luck, keep us updated

I appreciate your responses! I’ll pm you along the way! This could get juicy lol

 

[Josh R]

After seeing the name, I think they are just trying to scare you. It’s not clear trademark infringement IMO. They have no TM in US that’s for sure.

It would cost them $1,500 + for legal proceedings, so asking anything less than that would make more financial sense to them.

 

[bobbarato]

It seems quite odd to me that a UK registrar would not have secured the .com during the start up phase. Rookie mistake imho...

Just saying...

 

[dee7271]

How come the company is using a two word domain ? If it was one of the copyright holders you mentioned it woud have come from the 'mothership' seems unlikely they'd contact you from a co.uk

 

[CryptoInvestor]

After seeing the name, I think they are just trying to scare you. It’s not clear trademark infringement IMO. They have no TM in US that’s for sure.

It would cost them $1,500 + for legal proceedings, so asking anything less than that would make more financial sense to them.

That would be very unproffesional on their part! I will pursue this, thank you so much. i’m going to study a bit more just to make sure I dont say anything stupid or wrong in my reply, if you find anything else out or have any more info, please do let me know!

 

[CryptoInvestor]

How come the company is using a two word domain ? If it was one of the copyright holders you mentioned it woud have come from the 'mothership' seems unlikely they'd contact you from a co.uk

Apparently the name I have that includes the word “intel”, Is an exact match of a .co.uk registrar

 

[dee7271]

Apparently the name I have that includes the word “intel”, Is an exact match of a .co.uk registrar

Well unless they themselves are part of intel corporation I suspect they also could potentially be infringing

 

[CryptoInvestor]

Apparently the name I have that includes the word “intel”, Is an exact match of a .co.uk registrar

Well unless they themselves are part of intel corporation I suspect they also could potentially be infringing

My thoughts exactly!!!!!

 

[dee7271]

there are also currently 7 nominet registrars that contain "intel"

 

[bobbarato]

Imho they are acting in bad faith / bending the truth to scare you. If I were you I would put up a pron site / affiliate page or forward it to your favorite registrar.

 

[-AR-]

If you have nothing to lose and do not care if you do lose the domain just ask them for a small amount that you are happy with.

What's the worse thing that can happen? You may end up losing the domain name but that is about it, they will most likely pay the small fee not to go to the the trouble of getting lawyers involved and all sorts which would end up costing them thousands.