Dynadot

A domain hack for an existing company.

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I brought a domain hack, that is a companies name.

Similar to reddit.com/redd.it.

Can I sell this to the company or do they have some sort of legal high ground?
 
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The views expressed on this page by users and staff are their own, not those of NamePros.
Guess...

I guess they will invite you to their next board meeting for being so smart. Perhaps they will send a private plane to you, with champagne and sexy ladies on board. Perhaps they will even hand you out some stocks and a nice check for squatting on their brand. No ?
 
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Guess...

I guess they will invite you to their next board meeting for being so smart. Perhaps they will send a private plane to you, with champagne and sexy ladies on board. Perhaps they will even hand you out some stocks and a nice check for squatting on their brand. No ?

I'm not "Squatting" said domain. I just happened upon it and purchased it. I'd happily hand over the domain if said company demanded.

I'm just asking, if it is advisable to offer the domain for a fee. At least to reimburse my losses.

Although, I appreciate the sarcasm.
 
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I'm not "Squatting" said domain. I just happened upon it and purchased it. I'd happily hand over the domain if said company demanded.

I'm just asking, if it is advisable to offer the domain for a fee. At least to reimburse my losses.

Although, I appreciate the sarcasm.

Don't be too offended. Think of these responses as an initiation of sorts. :) Some of the veteran members on here have been providing feedback on these types of enquiries consistently over several years, and have developed a lower tolerance to them.

You'll get a variety of responses from people on this kind of domain. Some will say it's worthless. Some will say it's a trademark infringement (it is) and should be dumped immediately. Others will tell you to go ahead and make money any way you can, and if you can sell this one then go for it.

At the end of the day, I think you personally need to decide which lines you're willing to cross. Of course money can be made by wading into these gray areas, but the ethics of it are sketchy at best. You risk getting into some legal trouble, and also alienating several of your fellow domainers.

I definitely wouldn't approach the company in question unless you'd like to hand over the domain for free. Anything else would be grounds for legal action, since it would be seen as a clear intent to profit from their brand.

Your best bet is likely to list the domain for sale on various marketplaces, create some kind of neutral "for sale" landing page, and hope that someone bites. I registered a few of these questionable domains in my early days (before I knew any better), and that's what I do. I've had a couple low offers on one of them from sketchy Russian email addresses (and I should have taken one of those offers, if it was legit). If anyone makes you an offer, it's likely a good idea to take it.
 
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Don't be too offended. Think of these responses as an initiation of sorts. :) Some of the veteran members on here have been providing feedback on these types of enquiries consistently over several years, and have developed a lower tolerance to them.

You'll get a variety of responses from people on this kind of domain. Some will say it's worthless. Some will say it's a trademark infringement (it is) and should be dumped immediately. Others will tell you to go ahead and make money any way you can, and if you can sell this one then go for it.

At the end of the day, I think you personally need to decide which lines you're willing to cross. Of course money can be made by wading into these gray areas, but the ethics of it are sketchy at best. You risk getting into some legal trouble, and also alienating several of your fellow domainers.

I definitely wouldn't approach the company in question unless you'd like to hand over the domain for free. Anything else would be grounds for legal action, since it would be seen as a clear intent to profit from their brand.

Your best bet is likely to list the domain for sale on various marketplaces, create some kind of neutral "for sale" landing page, and hope that someone bites. I registered a few of these questionable domains in my early days (before I knew any better), and that's what I do. I've had a couple low offers on one of them from sketchy Russian email addresses (and I should have taken one of those offers, if it was legit). If anyone makes you an offer, it's likely a good idea to take it.

To be honest, I paid very little for the domain. So I'd happily give it to the company for free.

I was searching for a personal domain to use and was going and glanced at a branded item that was in front of me and out of curiosity searched for "hack" domains and found one.

I'd still like to use it as a personal domain if I can. Would you say its advisable to email the company and ask for permission to use it or say they can have it?
 
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To be honest, I paid very little for the domain. So I'd happily give it to the company for free.

I was searching for a personal domain to use and was going and glanced at a branded item that was in front of me and out of curiosity searched for "hack" domains and found one.

I'd still like to use it as a personal domain if I can. Would you say its advisable to email the company and ask for permission to use it or say they can have it?

My understanding is that it's okay to use it as long as you're not profiting from it in anyway. So if you're looking for a personal blog site, or a forum, with no advertising, then it should be okay.

There's a section on here that deals with legal questions, so you may want to ask for more info there. I know @svede has some experience with TMs as well, so he might be able to give you more guidance.
 
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I'd still like to use it as a personal domain if I can. Would you say its advisable to email the company and ask for permission to use it or say they can have it?
If you are going to use the domain, it's going to become more visible, and you might have to ditch it immediately upon receiving a C&D (Cease and desist) letter. I would personally never build on a domain with a sword of Damocles hanging over my head. That's why you always avoid TM or otherwise questionable domains.
You admitted yourself it is a hack, not just a random LLLL domain.
Can't have it both ways. Not worth the hassle imo.
 
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I'm not "Squatting" said domain. I just happened upon it and purchased it. I'd happily hand over the domain if said company demanded.

I'm just asking, if it is advisable to offer the domain for a fee. At least to reimburse my losses.

Although, I appreciate the sarcasm.

so let me get this straight.. so u say you bought the domain without knowing the company existed?
 
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I think people are wrongly guiding you. The problem arise for domain extension that comes under USA jurisdiction

You have no worries as long its not anyone of these .com, .org, .net and new GTLDS.

CCTLDs domains don't come under US jurisdiction. Let say you have Linked.in , because .in comes under India's jurisdiction not USA. So let us know your Domain extension for right answer.
 
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I think people are wrongly guiding you. The problem arise for domain extension that comes under USA jurisdiction

You have no worries as long its not anyone of these .com, .org, .net and new GTLDS.

CCTLDs domains don't come under US jurisdiction. Let say you have Linked.in , because .in comes under India's jurisdiction not USA. So let us know your Domain extension for right answer.


Good info! Actually I was about to register some .in hack domains for good reason.

But hesitated as there wasn't much historical sales of .in hacks on Namebio . Unless they are just not being reported.

Some I think we're owned by companies but are too generic to TM.

I'm assuming the OP Registered a hack so thought this would be a great place to ask
 
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