MLB TradeMark

[BMFX]

Just wundering if i boughta site with MLB in it, and stated we have no conect to the official MLB would i get in trouble?

i am a huge baseball fan and thought it would be cool to make a baseball forum.

so i was just wundering if i could use the domain if i got it.

 

[GT Web]

You could use it...but if the MLB really wanted it they could take it from you. Assuming you were using it as a place for fans to post and chat, I'm sure they wouldn't have a problem with it.

 

[BMFX]

so i schould go ahead and get it and if they ask for it. i can ask for restation price and mabey they will pay.

i found 2 sites that don't have 2 do with baseball but have MLB in their names..

and one with it.. it does look like i can do this so far...

http://gomlb.net
http://gomlb.com
http://mlbfansite.com/
http://mlbforums.com

hmmm i am looking for more so i know i am not being dumb..

looks like i am ok if i put

Not an Official MLB® Website - All Trademarks and Copyrights owned by their Respective Owners

 

[RJ]

Not an Official MLB® Website - All Trademarks and Copyrights owned by their Respective Owners

That would definately be a good idea! However even doing so that doesn't grant you the rights to use someone else's trademark. Without permission, there is always the possibility that the trademark holder will take offense at your use and try to take the domain from you through UDRP or lawsuit.

Is it possible you can run your site using MLB in the URL and site title and never hear from the MLB? Of course. It's equally possible the MLB lawyers will file a UDRP against you within the next 5 years.

Play it safe or live on the edge?

RJ

 

[BMFX]

Hmm RJ is true. i have tried contacting them. of course no response.

 

[DNQuest.com]

With MLB, be careful how you use the site. MLB took the historic stance with baseball stats and it's effects on MLB licenced sites/games. There is a lawsuit with CDM Sports against MLB in regards to this.

With that said, anytime you use a TM, there can be trouble. There is legal and reality. Legally, using a TM without permission is against the law, but in reality, the TM holder enforcing thier TM is a different story.

 

[BMFX]

my response from them was to send the a letter in the mail.

gzz do they not use e-mail these days...

 

[RJ]

my response from them was to send the a letter in the mail.

gzz do they not use e-mail these days...

It's highly unlikely they will grant you permission to use the trademarks. At least not for free. This is why a lot of webmasters live by the philosophy "it's easier to ask for forgiveness than it is to ask for permission." If a trademark holder takes offense, often they'll just send you a C&D letter, and you can just turn over the domain name or remove the offending content and the case is closed. It's rare that an actual lawsuit comes out of it.

RJ

 

[spikedo]

If you have MLB in the domain name and use the name for a site about baseball, I think you're asking for trouble. If you have MLB in the domain and use the name for a site that's about something different than baseball, I think you'd be alright.