Google....

[JoshHendo]

Hello. I am the webmaster of www.googleforums.org , and I have had this come up a few times, and I have been told by my webhost that as I am not using Google's logo and have a disclaimer saying that I am not affiliated with Google it will be alright, but then some other people have said that that isn't enough. I want to know what you think, would google be able to do anything because I am using their name?

 

[Mystic]

i see http://googlecommunity.com

up for years, they have this site is not affiliated with google in any way...blah blah blah i think it will be allright

 

[Sabre]

There are lots of google communities out there, you should be fine

 

[Dave_Z]

Considering yours is a .org, so far google just don't seem interested.

Of course, that could change...

 

[vtechno]

I wouldnt go Google bashing but its probably not a problem. Of course it always could be.

 

[JoshHendo]

k, thanx. i didn't think it would be a problem. and I do know google community because the admin of that "spammed" google forums :P

 

[Ray]

well if google hasnt bothered you yet, you should be alright..

Also if you dont have the google logo, thats fine, and are not affiliated..

The only way that would do someting is if you are driving traffic away from there site, which i serously doubt you are.

 

[rlatpal]

If Google didn't contact you, then you should be alright.

And because you don't have the official google logo and you're not affilated, you're fine.

 

[snoopi]

k, thanx. i didn't think it would be a problem. and I do know google community because the admin of that "spammed" google forums :P

To get more traffic I guess...

 

[wchan]

Google has no legal authority to prosecute you if you claim no affiliation with the company.

 

[allabout42]

Google has no legal authority to prosecute you if you claim no affiliation with the company.

I agree with you!

 

[JoshHendo]

Ok. thank you all for your feedback. I guess that i will be fine unless google contacts me

 

[nicholas]

If this is of any use.

paypalsucks.com, aolsucks.com, microsoftsucks.com, etc. etc... unless I'm mistaken they have the company names in those domains but don't appear to have been sued either.

 

[Element]

Iv heard a question concerning a similar problem and they did Email google support and they did respond saying that it was ok.

 

[AdoptableDomains]

Google probably won't care as long as you aren't making money off their name or using their logo. I'd be particularly wary of having any links to anything competing with google, like msn, hotmail, yahoo, etc.

 

[Raspberry]

I think you'll be fine. I don't think they'll be after you. Good luck.

 

[The Equivocate]

I think it would be ironic if once Yahoo Publisher ads came out you ran them instead of AdSense

 

[FedPrimeRate.com]

Watch Out

I recently dropped a few G related domain names because G sent me the following email:

Dear Administrator:

Google is the owner of the well-known trademark and trade name GOOGLE, as well as the domain name GOOGLE.COM. As you are no doubt aware, GOOGLE is the trademark used to identify our award-winning search engine, located at http://www.google.com. Since its inception in 1997, the GOOGLE search engine has become one of the most highly recognized and widely used Internet search engines in the world. Google owns numerous trademark registrations and applications for its GOOGLE mark in countries around the world.

Google has used and actively promoted its GOOGLE mark for a number of years, and has invested considerable time and money establishing exclusive proprietary rights in the GOOGLE mark for online computer services and a wide range of goods. As a result of its efforts, the GOOGLE mark has become a famous mark and a property right of incalculable value.

You have registered, without Google's permission or authorization, the domain name(s) googlesearch.ws (the "Domain Name"). The Domain Name is confusingly similar to the famous GOOGLE mark, and, by its very composition, suggests Google's sponsorship or endorsement of your website and correspondingly, your activities.

Your use of a Domain Name that is confusingly similar to the famous GOOGLE mark constitutes trademark infringement and dilution of Google's trademark rights and unfair competition. Your use of the Domain Name is diluting use because it weakens the ability of the GOOGLE mark and domain name to identify a single source, namely Google. Further, your registration and use of the Domain Name misleads consumers into believing that some association exists between Google and you, which tarnishes the goodwill and reputation of Google's services and trademarks.

Your registration and use of the Domain Name is clearly designed to appropriate the goodwill associated with the famous GOOGLE mark in violation of the Anticybersquatting Consumer Protection Act ("ACPA"). Because you are using a Domain Name that incorporates the famous GOOGLE mark to direct Internet traffic to your commercial website, your bad faith intent to profit from our mark is manifest. Please note the ACPA provides for damages of up to $100,000 per domain name.

Your registration and use of the Domain Name is also actionable under the Uniform Dispute Resolution Policy ("UDRP"). Because you are using the Domain Name to attract Internet users to your website for commercial gain, your actions meet the bad faith criteria of Section 4(b)(iv) of the UDRP. Under similar circumstances, Google has prevailed in numerous UDRP actions. These decisions are located online at http://www.icann.org/udrp/udrpdec.htm.

In view of your infringement of our rights, we must demand that you provide written assurances within 7 days that you will:
1. Immediately discontinue any and all use of the Domain Name;
2. Take immediate steps to transfer the Domain Name to Google;
3. Identify and agree to transfer to Google any other domain names registered by you that contain GOOGLE or are confusingly similar to the GOOGLE mark;
4. Immediately and permanently refrain from any use of the term GOOGLE or any variation thereof that is likely to cause confusion or dilution.

Sincerely,

The Google Trademark Enforcement Team

Sooooo...play at your own risk

:blink: :blink: :blink:

AmCy

 

[mosaic]

i have googleportal.com/net but i don't want to park.
never be afraid.