If MCD.com dropped could I buy and try and flip to McDonalds???

[peaches017]

Hypothetically:

If MCD.com dropped, could I buy it and then try and sell it to McDonalds. What would the legality of this situation be?

Peter

 

[mch]

Doesn't seem like a copyright issue to me. But why would McDonald's want it? Won't sell more burgers...

 

[Dave_Z]

If MCD.com dropped, could I buy it and then try and sell it to McDonalds.

Yup.

What would the legality of this situation be?

None. McD could sue for transfer of the domain and monetary damages up to
$100k per domain name under ACPA (just google it). :D

 

[bbakes25]

Umm...
Domain Name: MCD.COM

Administrative Contact, Technical Contact:
McDonald's Corporation Whois Privacy and Spam Prevention by Whois Source
One McDonald's Plaza
Oak Brook, IL 60523
US
630-623-7345 fax: 630-623-5033

Looks like someone already beat you :lol:

 

[peaches017]

Um guys. This is all hypothetical. I can't afford MCD.com lol

 

[dotbidz]

corporations do the weridest things online... when I want a hamburger... MCD.com is always my first place to look...lol

 

[BuysDomains]

MCD = Mcdonald's Stock Symbol

 

[seeker]

MCD:
Mad Cow Disease................
Minor Civil Division
Mini Client Driver
....and the list goes on....
No, in a hypothetical situation, McDonald's would probably not be able to do much about this one.
Especially if you used the name in any of the above descriptions.
this isnt a clear cut TM issue.
Heck, I didnt know MCD had anything to do with McDonald's until I saw this post.

 

[spikedo]

I would think the word "McDonalds" is too established to begin marketing the restaurant chain under "MCD". I would think there are other corporations out there willing to pay what it's worth. But what do I know?!?

 

[Ronald Regging]

I would think the word "McDonalds" is too established to begin marketing the restaurant chain under "MCD". I would think there are other corporations out there willing to pay what it's worth. But what do I know?!?

Guess you never heard of Kentucky Fried Chicken, who now goes by KFC

 

[deleted984054565403]

Guess you never heard of Kentucky Fried Chicken, who now goes by KFC

If someone asked you what KFC stood for, what would you say?

 

[Ronald Regging]

Yeah, but I've been around since before they switched... I bet there are a lot of kids who would have no idea what it stands for.

I don't think they market it as Kentucky Fried Chicken at all anymore, but I could be wrong...

 

[GreenGambler]

I think think it would become a potential problem until they tried to sell it McDonalds... yuck by the way... and were persistant or something.

Otherwise I dont see too much of a problem.. I'm not sure if they would want to buy it though.

 

[Ronald Regging]

Given the hypothetical... McDonald's would have absolutely no legal rights to MCD.com unless they also have a trademark on MCD... Even if they did have a TM, they'd probably have no legal rights assuming you don't try to sell it to them, and create some sort of non-competing website utilizing the MCD acronym. Male Cheesiness Disorder... a site dedicated to the cheesy male...

 

[MadAboutDomains]

Let's be honmest though... as if they would let it drop after 13 years of owning it

 

[ekal]

Am I right in thinking that groups of 3 letters can't be copyrighted?

 

[Ronald Regging]

ekal, its trademarked, and yes, they can... In fact, do a TM search for MCD...

 

[DNQuest.com]

Am I right in thinking that groups of 3 letters can't be copyrighted?

absolutely correct, 3 letters cannot be copyrighted........

But they can be Trademarked.......

AOL, IBM, ATT, MCI......

As far as MCD.com (and other acronyms) is concerned.. as stated many many mant times here.... usage, usage, usage... mcd.com in itself may not be infringing, but it is the stock ticker for McDonalds, so if your site is gear towards hamberbers and the selling of food or has links to restraunts, that could pose a problem. McDonalds would say you are using thier stock ticker symbol (which is published worldwide) and you are trying to cash off of thier hard work and name (yes, I call McDonald's "McDs" as does millions of other people.). This would come under "similar or confusingly similar" and unfair competition into visitors thinking it is a McDonalds sponsored site.

I am not saying that McDonalds would prevail, but they have enough $$$ to choke you out and you would have to defend yourself if they decided to challenge you.