Domain Hack a Violation of trademark?

[Domainerr]

Hello,

A domainhack is an unconventional domain name that combines domain levels, especially the Top-Level Domain to spell out the full "name" or title of the domain, but can it violates trademark law..for example if i registered "MICROSO.FT" ??....

Regards,
Domainerr

 

[fish]

First, here's my obligatory "I'm not a lawyer" disclaimer.

From my understanding, violating a trademark with a domain depends a lot on how that domain is put to use. The fact that it's a domain hack alone probably won't help you much in court if it's a blatant violation, although I'd be interested in reading any domain hack-specific case law.

For example, if I registered app.le and started a site about literal apples (the fruit) and nothing else (had no mention of computers, online music downloads, smart phones, tablets, and the like), I don't believe you'd be violating Apple's trademark, which involves the previously mentioned items.

With an example like microso.ft, you'd be hard pressed to prove you were using it for anything but bad faith, but again, it depends on how you use it. A "parody" site (like paypalsucks.com) may get you off the hook as well.

P.S. The .ft and .le extensions don't exist.

 

[Domainerr]

What if i registered "MICROSO.FT ", then contact microsoft.com since i am not violating trademark?

 

[jenna323]

What if i registered "MICROSO.FT ", then contact microsoft.com since i am not violating trademark?

And what would be the reason for you contacting them?

Even if you're not actively using the domain, you would, presumably, only be contacting them to enquire if they're interested in buying your domain... Again, TM infringement. Doh!

I fear you may have to up your game considerably, especially your thinking, if you ever hope to make money from domains...

 

[Domainerr]

And what would be the reason for you contacting them?

Even if you're not actively using the domain, you would, presumably, only be contacting them to enquire if they're interested in buying your domain... Again, TM infringement. Doh!

I fear you may have to up your game considerably, especially your thinking, if you ever hope to make money from domains...

So the best way is to park the Domain name??

 

[Kate]

You are on the wrong track...
Yes TM infringement, even more if you contact M$.
And why park it, it won't get type-in. But it might very well display infringing ads: one more nail in the coffin :zzz:

 

[ezcoms]

This is funny reading actually.. I think people like to set themselves up for failure.

 

[BrandChimp]

is this serious?

- Yes its a TM issue.... You are registering their name...
- Park it? No clicks, No visitors, Nothing
- Resell it? No one want a TM domain....
- Have money to trow away? Go for it!

 

[jenna323]

So the best way is to park the Domain name??

No, it isn't. As others have already remarked, in this thread, you're on the wrong path here...

I also suspect that English may not be your first language, so my greatest tip to you is that you first learn English very well, or else consider venturing in to IDN (international domain names) pertaining to your primary language.

There are many fat, lazy, and ignorant "domainers" on this forum, and if you dedicate yourself in a particular area of "domaining", and you are happy to learn as much as you can, then you could make money where they are not...

But first you need a serious mind-set shift. Because ripping off companies, large or small, particularly when they don't want to be ripped off, is likely to bring you a whole heap of trouble (!).

Anyway, good luck with your endeavors.

 

[Domainerr]

No, it isn't. As others have already remarked, in this thread, you're on the wrong path here...

I also suspect that English may not be your first language, so my greatest tip to you is that you first learn English very well, or else consider venturing in to IDN (international domain names) pertaining to your primary language.

There are many fat, lazy, and ignorant "domainers" on this forum, and if you dedicate yourself in a particular area of "domaining", and you are happy to learn as much as you can, then you could make money where they are not...

But first you need a serious mind-set shift. Because ripping off companies, large or small, particularly when they don't want to be ripped off, is likely to bring you a whole heap of trouble (!).

Anyway, good luck with your endeavors.

Thanks a lot, one of the best advice i got from this forum..

 

[Billy Wagner]

I'm new to the forum and domaining and trying to learn as much as I can. I wish I would have read this a bit sooner. A few weeks back I registered knockoffs such as www-yahoo.co, and others similar to that. I am trying to learn how to make REAL money domaining, and after reading this thread, apparently I need to readjust my approach. The reason I was going after domains such as www-yahoo.co is b/c they are typed-in domains, but I'm still in the wrong correct? Since I believe I am violating yahoo!s trademark?

Forgot to mention I'm parking all of the domains.

 

[Chris Wright]

...but I'm still in the wrong correct?

Correct!
You are attempting to make money from the investments Yahoo has made into their brand and their trademark.
You are (most likely (definitely)) infringing on their trademark.
You can not only lose your domain(s) under a UDRP or WIPO case.
But, you can also be fined up to $100k under ACPA.
In your place, I would delete all such domains from my account as soon as possible.
Don't wait for them to expire, DELETE them.

 

[BrandChimp]

You guys are learning a lesson. Will you invest your money on something you don't even know?
That's what you are doing. I've done this before. I'm still learning and will never stop learning.

Every time I told people what I'm doing everyday, they are thinking that the smartest thing that could of been done in 1994 was to register all Company names in the .com. It looks so easy to them. Register a name sell it to the biggest companies! Simple! But that is not the game. After that I told them that it can be trademarks issues and they can be sued.. They realized that to make money in this industry you need lots of reading, guts, times and money.