Market a domain name containing trademark; mutualistic benefit?

[zenmushin]

I have an opportunity to market a trademarked domain name in which I push the very products that the trademark company offers. As an example (this is not the actual company), but if the company was widgets.com, my domain would be widgetsproducts.com

At widgetsproducts.com, I would have links to a vendor that offers legitimate Widgets (in fact, the vendor and Widgets have a special partnership). By sending the user from widgetsproducts.com to the vendor site, I receive 10% on all purchases.

Now, obviously the company Widgets has every legal right to the domain widgetsproducts.com and I would relinquish it for no fee if approached. But, in the meantime, I can help both the company and myself by sending users to an appropriate site for them to by Widgets.

Any thoughts? Pros and cons? Stay away or not a bad idea?

 

[flamewalker]

Very bad idea imho... you are basically using their name to sell their products and make money off it... thus essentially causing them to lose that 10% by your use that they would be earning if they owned the name.

At least thats the impression I got from what I have been reading in these forums and elsewhere. In fact if I'm not mistaken there was a fairly recent ruling where the person in your position lost. If you lose via udrp they will take that into consideration for other disputes down the road, and will hurt you in the long run.

 

[Pommy - The DN Doc]

Why spend time developing a website around a TM prone site? If you have the time and skills, get a generic domains name (see available names under expired forum) and start afresh.

 

[Ronald Regging]

Not to mention, if the company really wanted to set an example, they could just sue you and collect damages that would AT LEAST be every cent of profit you made from the site.

 

[zenmushin]

Good stuff. I appreciate the responses.

Why spend time developing a website around a TM prone site? If you have the time and skills, get a generic domains name (see available names under expired forum) and start afresh.

You make a very good point. I rarely find good generics that I would like to develop. I have 2 so far. I'll put more time in to hunt some down. If you happen to know of any, do send me a PM.

 

[Pommy - The DN Doc]

Look at the availables thread. There is an individual there offering to suggest available DNs if you request:

http://www.namepros.com/433490-namepros-exlusive-free-available-domains-request-4.html#post2567581