Is it illegal to...

[tolkein]

...have a popular brand in your domain name although the sites are totally unrealated, e.g.

GMproperties.com
CNNwallpapers.com
VWcafe.com

well you get the picture

 

[weblord]

:imho: tm issues

 

[JMJ]

GMproperties.com is a business and I'd guess they have some legal right. There's not much ground a company can stand on if you added acronym to a general term as long as you didn't have something like GMcars.com and created a site selling cars or even worse use it to point to a competitors site. VW wouldn't have much of a case with vwcafe.com if they didn't already own it.

 

[Ringtonebro]

It depends upon the name I guess. I have BMWebhosting.com which sedo denied because of the german Trademark law but tm issues seem very unlikely.

 

[Jake Enser]

They can claim it to be TM issues but if you have them stand for something else then you're golden.

 

[peter phillips]

Well I think there can be some TM issues even if you intend to use the domain for another purpose and not similar to the business of the Trademark owner. I think it's better to stay from such domains unless you are sure that there won't be any problem.

 

[OK]

BMWebhosting.com has absolutley no TM issues with BMW vehicles. You can own ApplePens.com and Apple wouldn't be able to do anything becuase you do not use their company name to profit yourself from their product.

 

[Alar]

It all depends on how you use it and how obvious it is. ****edupBMW.com would probably be bad idea, no matter what kind of site you put to the domain. if the above mentioned BM stands for something, its most likely OK to use BM Webhostig in the domain name.

I bet domain like saab-volvo-opel-ford-bmw.com would be considered "bad" as well.

Use some common sende and IMHO you will be fine.

 

[fonzie_007]

TM issues galore. You may also find it helpful to post in the legal dispute area of the forum instead of the general domain discussion area.

 

[MCDomains]

GMproperties.com
VWcafe.com

are OK .. IMO. If the developed sites have nothing to do with General Motors & Volkswagon ...

 

[tolkein]

Personally, I don't think it makes sense that just because CNN trademarked the acronym for example, you cannot register a (prefix)CNN.com or CNN(suffix).com

If it were the case, I'm sure domain registrars would come out and complain because they're losing out too.

 

[greggish]

...have a popular brand in your domain name although the sites are totally unrealated, e.g.

GMproperties.com
CNNwallpapers.com
VWcafe.com

well you get the picture

No probelem at all if the actual content on the sites have nothing to do with GM, CNN or VW. They could even be about the respective companies and products as long as they don't mind. It's up to the companies as to how, when, and if they will choose to protect their trademark. Sometimes they just don't care, other times you'll get the C&D.

 

[DNQuest.com]

They can claim it to be TM issues but if you have them stand for something else then you're golden.

Not exaclty true, squatters have been known to "create" reasons for using TMs which have been denied. There have also been legitimate cases where 2 companies had rights to a name, but someone has to win and someone has to lose.

Usage of the domain and rights to a name are crucial in deciding if you are illagelly infringing on a TM.

 

[dgridley]

Two of the main factors.. I don't think you can use a blanket statement to say you're ok depending on useage because many companies will attempt to protect their TM from simple dilution. It's pretty much a case by case basis, tho I'm no expert on this.

Usage of the domain and rights to a name are crucial in deciding if you are illagelly infringing on a TM.

 

[Malaysia]

oops. wrong thread post just now..

anyway yeah there is tm issues n better to avoid

 

[EbookLover]

...have a popular brand in your domain name although the sites are totally unrealated, e.g.

GMproperties.com
CNNwallpapers.com
VWcafe.com

well you get the picture

Yes, you can get into trouble if the TM owner chooses to pursue it.

 

[DNQuest.com]

Two of the main factors.. I don't think you can use a blanket statement to say you're ok depending on useage because many companies will attempt to protect their TM from simple dilution. It's pretty much a case by case basis, tho I'm no expert on this.

You need to read what I wrote again, notice how I say it is "crucial in deciding", which they are. But I NEVER said they would be ok. If you establish rights by properly suing the domain, it would be tough for the TM holder to show bad faith. Yes, it is decided on a case by case basis and there are parameters used in deciding "bad faith"

Companies will still come after you, companies may try to harrass you, heck, anyone can sue anybody for any reason.....