Is anyone else registering FaceBook-themed domains?

[markmayhew]

I just registered IamaTMripoff.idiot .....anyone else got any FaceBook themed domains? (There are some good ones still available, btw).

 

[Keynes]

Bad idea: trademark violation, ergo negative net value.

 

[markmayhew]

phlease, I wish Mark Zuckerberg did try to sue.....

Bad idea: trademark violation, ergo negative net value.

Zuckerberg is chasing billions of dollars, not piss ants (like me)!

 

[WolfMother]

Zuckerberg is chasing billions of dollars, not piss ants (like me)!

Do you think he runs the company by himself?

If you in any way involve facebook as content on the domain(links, pictures, anything) his legal team will have a field day. As of now Facebook could send you a cease and desist, they probably won't but what benefit are you getting out of a domain name where you can't administer relevant content.

Not a good approach.

 

[markmayhew]

you are tellin' me that everyone involved in blogging about FaceBook; allfacebook.com, facebooktalk.com, bestoffacebook.com can be sued?
I.....don't think so!

 

[DomainMayhem.com]

you are tellin' me that everyone involved in blogging about FaceBook; allfacebook.com, facebooktalk.com, bestoffacebook.com can be sued?
I.....don't think so!

Yes they can, actually.

 

[markmayhew]

so, where are our "cease and desist" letters? Mark Zuckerberg is probably flattered by all this nonsense (I know I would be)!

 

[GfxTuts]

I cant think of a reason to make one my self.. Its probably better to make a application and have a domain name for it maybe rather then just have a domain name with facebook in it just my 2 cents...

 

[AdoptableDomains]

Zuckerberg is chasing billions of dollars, not piss ants (like me)!

1. There are lots of lawyers who need to put their kids through college. Some maybe employed by them.

2. Who is going to buy a TM violation domain?

3. If develop it or park it and make money, see #1.

4. Bill Gates and Steve Jobs are multi-billionaires. Try making money off a Microsoft or Apple domain and see if you're not worth their time.

 

[VisualArtistFrankBonilla]

500,000 word essay due!

Bad idea: trademark violation, ergo negative net value.

Not only a bad idea, but an extremely bad attitude for a Namepros member. Should be suspended, and not allowed back in until he has read every post in the "legal issues & disputes section". He should then be required to do a 500,000 word essay on "trademark violations"!

Ps: Mr. Mayhew: register a domain with "eLoan" in it, if you are so brave. See if you don't get a "cease and desist" letter. They really do care about piss ants.

Frank

 

[Idea Market]

Question:

If it's so risky, how can sites like www.Paypalsucks.com get away with it? They have been around for years, they are completely against the company, and have been in legal battles several times, all of which, they have won.

They even have a report on the ability to register a domain with the company's brand without getting into legal
hot water.

Also, if Facebook is likely to come after someone, why then, are there many app developers with Facebook in their URL's who are able to advertise on Facebook itself?

 

[VisualArtistFrankBonilla]

Integrity

You are guys are forgetting one thing: INTEGRITY! Sure, you can register these names, and maybe they won't come after you. Sure, someone like Paypalsucks, has gotten away with it, maybe... so far. THAT IS NOT THE POINT!
You need to read the following from DNOA:

Domain Name Owners Association

Code of Ethics

Membership in the Domain Name Owners Association is voluntary and signifies a domain owners' agreement to to the following code of ethics in its entirety.

Members of the Domain Name Owners Association shall exercise the utmost level of integrity in all business transactions and in all relations with other buyers, sellers, employees, and competitors. Members shall work diligently to build and perpetuate faith and trust in their business practicies.


Association members shall dedicate themselves to the promotion of professionalism within the domain name industry. Sellers shall truthfully identify themselves, their company, their products and the purposes of their solicitation to the prospective customer.


Association members shall refrain from the use of deceptive, unlawful or unethical advertising or marketing when selling domain names. This includes the practice of making misleading statements about a domain name's traffic, its past earnings, pagerank, link popularity or other statistics. Any such claims must be reasonably indicative of similar results for the purchasing party, unless clearly stated otherwise.


Association members shall not engage in the practice of domain theft, and shall not purchase nor sell any domain that is known to be stolen from its rightful owner.


Association members shall not practice shill bidding in any auction, whether on their own auctions or that belonging to an associate.


Association members agree to honor sales agreements (including results of auctions conducted by member) regardless of additional offers received after entering such an agreement.


Association members shall make no false statements nor circulate harmful rumors about a competitors’ products, business, financial or personal standing.


Association members shall encourage fellow members of the Domain Name Owners Association, and their colleagues to adhear to this Code of Ethics.

This is why you shouldn't register names like this. This is why other Namepros members are TRYING to inform you that what you are doing is not correct. If you read this, and still think it's ok, well, good luck, you will need it.

Frank

 

[Idea Market]

I have been involved in domains for many years, I have also experienced what it was like to have a company come after you for having a domain with their brand in it, however when I had the domain it wasn't for a commercial site, it was to raise awareness about an ongoing problem. I succeeded.

In the process, the company did all that they could to have it taken down. However, I followed the advice given to me by my attorney, and I was successful in being able to keep the site, and make my point.

It all depends on your reasons for obtaining a domain name with a company brand. If you are creating a space for people to share their opinions and to speak their mind, then I see nothing wrong with it (even if the opinions are negative, perhaps). If you are building a portfolio of domains that contain company trademark with intentional purpose to merely make money from their name, absolutely not.

This isn't just my opinion either, the laws agree with this very thing.

You can quote lines from the Code of Ethics if you like, I understand your reasoning, but in return I would like to quote something of a different nature:

The code otherwise known as freedom of speech.

Once again, if it's for commercial gain, I am not behind the idea, however if someone plans to build a community, a blog, a news-group or some other media in which people are able to exchange ideas, absolutely.

 

[cache]

I have a feeling that facebook may not want to shut down facebooksucks.com for PR reason, but why are you doing this since
there are many better names there safer?

Question:

If it's so risky, how can sites like www.Paypalsucks.com get away with it? They have been around for years, they are completely against the company, and have been in legal battles several times, all of which, they have won.

They even have a report on the ability to register a domain with the company's brand without getting into legal
hot water.

Also, if Facebook is likely to come after someone, why then, are there many app developers with Facebook in their URL's who are able to advertise on Facebook itself?

 

[Idea Market]

Huh? I don't own facebooksucks.com. I like Facebook, actually developing apps for clients that use it now.

I think you misunderstood my post, I was explaining how domain names with company brand can be used properly. Sorry if I confused you.

 

[markmayhew]

I'm a fan of FaceBook! Did you look at IamaTMripoff.idiot ? I'm tryin' to help the FaceBook Economy, albeit in my own little (misguided?!) way. See where I give props to the CNN writers who just wrote the article "The FaceBook Economy". (btw, there's my secret to gettin' good names, read lots of articles, look for powerful phrases)

 

[htmlindex]

I just registered IamaTMripoff.idiot .....anyone else got any FaceBook themed domains? (There are some good ones still available, btw).

Nope....I would rather stay away from any TM problems myself

 

[markmayhew]

AppleEconomy.com?!

Bill Gates and Steve Jobs are multi-billionaires. Try making money off a Microsoft or Apple domain and see if you're not worth their time.

wtf, I can't register domains with the word "apple" in them? (How about oranges?!)

 

[sashas]

Question:

If it's so risky, how can sites like www.Paypalsucks.com get away with it? They have been around for years, they are completely against the company, and have been in legal battles several times, all of which, they have won.

They even have a report on the ability to register a domain with the company's brand without getting into legal
hot water.

Also, if Facebook is likely to come after someone, why then, are there many app developers with Facebook in their URL's who are able to advertise on Facebook itself?

You can register and use ANY TM name and attach "sucks" or some other derogatory word to it.
Why?

Because by the first amendment, and the consumer law, you have the right to voice your opinion about any service and inform other consumers to avoid a particular vendor. Such cases might go to courts and the defendant will win the case based on the first amendment, and the fact that he can simply claim that he was informing other consumers of the vendor's malpractices.

FacebookEconomy.com on the other hand is purely a means to benefit from the Facebook TM and you would have no legal barrier if taken to a court.

While I don't really think that Facebook would go after you, considering how MySpace TM websites thrive, its still a bad practice. Just because you don't get caught doesn't mean you're not guilty.

 

[markmayhew]

you are entitled to think that it's a "bad practice", but I am as proud of the creativity involved in creating a name like IamaTMripoff.idiot as I am of the other names I have created.