Is it illegal?

[hrishi11]

Is it illegal to own a domain like www.googel.com or something that sounds like a trademarked domain? Would it be illegal to develop such a domain?

 

[Ray]

it a typo and it depends from company to company, Google doesnt really bother too much.. Googlecommunitues.com and been around for a couple of years and google hasnt bothered with the,

Typos arent general covered in trademarks, but they can still get ya


Please leave feed back if this helped ya

 

[redz]

it is not illegal , but the company may take action if they want to.

 

[wasistdas]

It is illegal while google considers so. Check Google VS Gridasov case

 

[NetworkTown.Net]

this thead this intreasting i thing it is not illegal beacuse it only sounds like google but it is not google, google have only registered google not other names like googol ect :imho:

 

[DNQuest.com]

It is never illegal to own a domain... it is your actions on how you use the domain which may make it illegal.

As far as TMs are concerned, typos have been considered a form of cybersquatting. If you offer products or services similar to google, chances are great you would lose the domain in a fight. When a TM holder comes after a domain, they usually say that your domain is similar or CONFUSINGLY similar to thier mark. IN this case, the domain is similar (it can be considered a typo by googel, but I believe it may also be a number, and there is also Goo Gel) but how you use it would determine if you have rights to use the domain.

 

[labrocca]

You are violating copyright law. It's illegal in the USA. Fines can be up to $100k per instance.

 

[MadAboutDomains]

It depends on which trademarks and copyrights they own, and what you are using the domain name for.

If you use it to exploit them (give them a bad name), copy or use their services (Set up a search engine on googel.com) or if they specifically want the domain name they are likely to take action to get it from you.

Like with most websites and companies, if your not restricting them, or exploiting them... they wont care!

 

[DNQuest.com]

You are violating copyright law. It's illegal in the USA. Fines can be up to $100k per instance.

Not exactly, you can't copyright a domain name. Usage is very important to determine if you are violating TM law. Yes, if you are foound violating a TM, you can be up to a 100K fine.

The point here... Is he violating a TM? Does he use any of the squatting tactics associated with the domain? Offer for sale to Google? use it as a search site? Pass itself off as google and steal its traffic?

Or as the domain registered for Jonathon Googel? Was the domain registered for the Googel Cup, Inc.? There can be an interest in the name by someone other than google.

So just asking if a domain is illegal may not be the proper way to get an answer. There are many variables involved in determining if TM law was violated. Is someone trying to skirt the law, maybe, but it may not be illegal.