Question about domain

[sunken]

An associate who I freelance for just purchased a domain name that he plans to put a web community up on. The domain is a .com and the only other TLD that was registered was .in, which I take it was registered before. It has no web site associated with the .in domain, not even parking. I could find no trademark for it anywhere in the US, but could the .in domain owner make a claim later on? My associate wants to be sure before he gets a community built up and someone comes along and tries to take it from him.

 

[filter]

I could find no trademark for it anywhere in the US, but could the .in domain owner make a claim later on? My associate wants to be sure before he gets a community built up and someone comes along and tries to take it from him.

Anyone can make any absurd claim, but it's not likely to go anywhere especially if no TM ... even if there was a TM, depending on where the domain name sits in the "generic/commonly used phrase vs. unique and specific "coined word" dimension - and also very much on the use that the domain is put to, ie if it's non-competing, non-confusing totally different business or even better, social network ...

just my semi-informed opinion, I'm not a lawyer of course but have read a few threads on the subject for whatever that's worth. Plenty good info already posted on this subject on this board and others, so just dig up some old threads and edjerkate yerself a bit ...

 

[domainer50]

I would say no. :imho: Sure the person could make a claim. But with no DBA, or trademark certificate he has no case.