Someone is using my domain name?

If the domain name isn't trademarked, there isn't much you can do. It is a branded domain or just a generic keyword domain?

Do you have trademark rights? Are they infringing on them?
More information is needed. It is impossible to answer as is.

Brad

Dephos said:

What can I do?

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Get better SEO.

I wondered this same thing for one of my domains. Does it matter who registered their domains first? what if I didn't develop mine and they developed their .net version? but I reg mine first?

does something like this ruin or kill the value of my .com?

sorry to hijack.

Avtar629 said:

I wondered this same thing for one of my domains. Does it matter who registered their domains first? what if I didn't develop mine and they developed their .net version? but I reg mine first?

does something like this ruin or kill the value of my .com?

sorry to hijack.

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I think it all depends on the asking price for the .com. Some believe that it actually increases the value because you can sell it to that company down the road. On the flip side, I've seen many domainers overpricing the .com at the point where the owner of the .net has no incentive to purchase it because the chances of it ever selling and someone developing it is remote. Also, if the .net version becomes a super strong brand, some buyers might be reluctant to purchase the .com fearing potential trademark issues.

Your .com is for sure stronger than the .net.
It doesn't matter who registered first the domain. It only matters if there is a trademark.

If the other guy goes and registers your .com name as a trademark with USPTO and/or WIPO, still he cannot claim your .com back because you registered your domain before his trademark. He will be flagged a reverse domain name hijacker and he will also lose money for launching a formal dispute.

I found some .net developed sites, for some of my brandable and for sale .com. They even copied their logo from the marketplaces where are listed... They can do whatever they like with their .nets, even get a global trademark. They will have to buy my .com and that is 1000% the only way to get it.

Do not worry in this case. Try to get as @hawkeye better SEO and own that mofo... hehe

Dephos said:

I have a store website and someone else has the same website but instead of it being .com it's .net. Now you might wonder why this is an issue, and it is because they are stealing my name. When you search my store on google, Their website pops up before mine. When you go to the .net website it just shows a bunch of advertisements. What can I do?

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Sounds like a parking page, don;t worry about it, people will want the .com first.

Your SEO may need a boost, because a page with ads only, should not out-rank you, especially with a lesser extension.

Dephos said:

I have a store website and someone else has the same website but instead of it being .com it's .net. Now you might wonder why this is an issue, and it is because they are stealing my name. When you search my store on google, Their website pops up before mine. When you go to the .net website it just shows a bunch of advertisements. What can I do?

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It is obviously owned by a domainer. Expectations for .net addresses are not huge. Contact him and make him a $500 dollar offer. I had the same happen with one of my sites and I bought the .net for $1000.

It's a lesson to look at all top level domains when registering a business but technically there is not much that can be done. If you are successful at getting the domain the guy might just run out and grab a different extension like the .org just to see if he can squeeze more money out of you, so make sure he signs a document preventing that. When I bought the .net for 1k I made the guy sign an agreement saying he would not register a similar name again.

Dimitris said:

Your .com is for sure stronger than the .net.
It doesn't matter who registered first the domain. It only matters if there is a trademark.

If the other guy goes and registers your .com name as a trademark with USPTO and/or WIPO, still he cannot claim your .com back because you registered your domain before his trademark. He will be flagged a reverse domain name hijacker and he will also lose money for launching a formal dispute.

I found some .net developed sites, for some of my brandable and for sale .com. They even copied their logo from the marketplaces where are listed... They can do whatever they like with their .nets, even get a global trademark. They will have to buy my .com and that is 1000% the only way to get it.

Do not worry in this case. Try to get as @hawkeye better SEO and own that mofo... hehe

Click to expand...

Update. just checked the .net version of my .com and it's been deleted. lol I haven't checked since now. Guess they figured it was pointless in .net. lol

Avtar629 said:

Update. just checked the .net version of my .com and it's been deleted. lol I haven't checked since now. Guess they figured it was pointless in .net. lol

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They probably saw your avatar and thought you were crazy

hahahaha Bazinga! lol Good one! it was developed. I'm guessing their .net just looked "UGLY" compared to my .com and I'm sure probably I got some boost to my traffic on the .com!

Serves him right to try and be slick. It was some guy trying to do a "Buy your house for Cash" @a 30% discount type biz.

Dephos said:

I have a store website and someone else has the same website but instead of it being .com it's .net. Now you might wonder why this is an issue, and it is because they are stealing my name. When you search my store on google, Their website pops up before mine. When you go to the .net website it just shows a bunch of advertisements. What can I do?

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I don't think they're using your domain. Their domain and yours is difference extension so they can use their domain with any content they want. If your domain/brand is trademark then you can ask them to stop