Is it illegal/Wrong?

[superprogrammer]

Would this thing be termed as illegal?
I register the typo of a famouse company
say a hosting company or a email system
Let us say unitedemailsystem.com and I register unitedmailsystem.com
(It is actually owned by a member here). Now there are many hits per month since this is typo. If I redirect this domain to something like my own email service. Would it be considered illegal?
Thanks for everyone's time here

 

[.edu]

If they had a trademark on it, your intentions are a clear sign of bad faith. Some would even consider it cybersquatting. If the name was protected, it would be up to holder if they wanted to squash you like a worm or sue you. But would you just described although the owner may not care if you registered a similar name as his trade name, could prove to be a very expensive descision if he decided he was going to protect his brand which he spent thousands of dollars to protect in the first place..

 

[superprogrammer]

Even if there have TM, it is a typo
Then how can they say it is something wrong

 

[revulsionnet]

can't

 

[suthra]

Actually iam setting up email under this domain. I dont think there would be a problem.

 

[RJ]

Typos are obvious trademark violations if they are use to confuse visitors or divert traffic to a competing service. This is what's known as "bad faith" use of a term.

To answer your question, yes, it's illegal. You would definately lose if the trademark holder took the case to UDRP domain dispute or filed a trademark lawsuit.

 

[Jokez Guy]

Whaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaat TYPO's Are illegal? It becomes a new name doesnt it??

Like

Mike

change it to Miek It becomes a new name how is that illegal??

 

[GT Web]

yes, typos are very illegal and many people have been sued for thousands because of them

for example, if you own microsft.com you better believe that it a) violates a TM b) is considered cybersquatting c) can get you in a hell of a lot of trouble

buying typo names is always a legal risk....

 

[Jokez Guy]

so what if its.... umm Ace-Teck.com thats my domain and someoen registers www.ace-tec.com thats illegal.. that seems garbage to me

 

[primacomputer]

Two words: “similarly confusing”
Two more words: “bad faith”
Look them up, or ask your solicitor to explain them to you.

Court, WIPO, whatever. You will loose every time hands down.

 

[Jokez Guy]

alright question there is a website:

Primacomputers.com then there is a person whoose name is Rima! And they make a website rimacomputers.com! Is that illegal? cause if that is then yoo this world is gone mad!!

 

[tony84]

im not sure how many people are from england here but theres a brand called harry ramsdens (they make fish n chips) they also have restaurants anyway this guy called Mr Ramadan made his shop sign say harry ramadans in the same style of writing and got taken to court to cange it - not sure if it would work the same on the internet

 

[Redleg]

... called Mr Ramadan made his shop sign say harry ramadans in the same style of writing and got taken to court to cange it - not sure if it would work the same on the internet

The style of writing was probably trademarked, and it works the same way on the internet.

 

[Dave_Z]

Although normally typos are considered "illegal" in the sense that they can or
do infringe on established trademarks, the only way to tell is if it reaches a
UDRP or an actual court case.

As noted member JBerryhill once posted, the important thing is to determine
what is the intent of the one who registered the domain name in question. If
you can prove that the owner intended to exploit the name to your utmost
disadvantage, then you can win the case.

It's one thing to say this or that is illegal. It's another to prove it.

 

[jberryhill]

Primacomputers.com then there is a person whoose name is Rima! And they make a website rimacomputers.com! Is that illegal? cause if that is then yoo this world is gone mad!!

The question wasn't, "I have a personal name that is similar to a trademark, but I want to register a domain name corresponding to my personal name".

The question was, "I register the typo of a famouse company."

Mr. A. R. Mani prevailed in the UDRP dispute over armani.com.

Mr. I. M. Outtaluck would not prevail in a dispute over armani.com.

If you can't see the difference between those two situations, then I'm afraid I can't make it any clearer.

 

[matrics]

Yeah? well look at mr. Nissan vs. Nissan

 

[RJ]

Yeah? well look at mr. Nissan vs. Nissan

That's true, and I think Uzi should have ever right to use Nissan.com to sell computers if that's his business. But as I recall, he only got in real trouble after he was using his website to display automotive advertisements. Registering a name similar to a trademark and then using it to compete in the same industry is bad faith regardless if you previously had rights to the name for other purposes. For instance, A.R. Mani may have rights to use armani.com for his personal website, but if he were to go into the suitmaking business I imagine he would run into legal problems.

 

[axilant]

I also have a question on this then.

Say i own a typo, of a domain and it collects money daily. Is this consider stealing there money? lol You say that a new name, from one name to a typo is illegal so is this stealing?

 

[RJ]

I also have a question on this then.

Say i own a typo, of a domain and it collects money daily. Is this consider stealing there money? lol You say that a new name, from one name to a typo is illegal so is this stealing?

I wouldn't call it stealing, but it would likely not be considered a legitimate use or bad faith if they brought a UDRP case against you -- especially if it's an obvious typo of the trademark and/or the ads that you're making money from are in the same industry as the trademark holder.

 

[geoffe]

Anyone remember Mike Rowe Soft? Wonder what ever happened to that kid?
http://www.cnn.com/2004/TECH/internet/01/19/offbeat.mike.rowe.soft.ap/