Question from a Newbie

[NickL]

Hi guys, I have been thinking about buying and selling domains for a while now. I just want to make sure the approach I have in mind is well.. legal!

My idea is to contact up and coming professionals in performance industries, the industry in which you are your own product - and a yourname.com domain name is desirable.

So my process would require researching these up and coming performers, then registering their domain names and making contact with them.

I am completely new to this, however I do know that Domain squatting - can get you into trouble..

Would this be classed as Domain squatting? Is this only the case if you do it with already registered companies? Is taking JohnDoe.com and offering it to John Doe - who happens to be an amateur/up and coming performer illegal?

Please excuse the noob questions & thanks for your time!


Nick

 

[DaveX]

Yes, basically that's squatting.

You could just register them and wait, but it's a long shot. Contacting them first would be cause to lose the domain to them. They have to contact you. Not you contacting them.

 

[NickL]

Thank you.

Everything I've found online so far did lead me to believe that unless they were a celebrity - or a registered business it was ok to do so. However I guess it probably does fall into the "Bad faith" registeration category.

"To be successful in a complaint under the UDRP, a complainant must satisfy the following three requirements:

(a) The domain name registered by the respondent is identical or confusingly similar to a trade mark or service mark in which the complainant has rights; and

(b) The respondent has no rights or legitimate interests in respect of the domain name; and

(c) The domain name has been registered and is being used in bad faith."

Maybe i'll go back to the drawing board!

 

[DaveX]

If the domain is a persons exact name and not your name, you run the risk of losing it.

There was a huge case recently where a woman had a domain that was her exact name and she lost it to a semi-celebrity with the same name.

You might want to check out this thread.

https://www.namepros.com/threads/defend-heidipowell-com-against-a-bullying-celebrity-thief.998413/

 

[Kenny]

Hello NickL,

Welcome to NamePros.

Above and beyond the instance of trying to make money off another persons name, especially if they are "up and coming" and just trying to make it in whatever niche they aspire to, is that the general public already thinks we are in the business of doing exactly what you propose to do.
Your approach is exactly why they have drawn this conclusion and is bad for the industry as a whole.

Please think of some other way to earn / learn from domaining.

NamePros has an entire forum of members willing to help those that would help themselves get started.

We have many resources that are designed to help you get started:

• Domain Beginners section contains lots of valuable information and FAQs.
• Popular Content for Beginners is a list of some of our best threads for beginners.
• Meet and Greet section is a great place to meet other domainers and mentors.

Domain Name Discussions is the most popular place in the entire industry to discuss domains with domainers and ask questions.

Additionally, the following guides will help you navigate the marketplace to sell your domains:

• The Marketplace Guide will help you with listing your domains for sale on NamePros.
• The Domain Name Listing Guide will help explain the different sections on NamePros for domain sales and how to use them.
• The Auction Guide will help walk you through starting an auction on NamePros.

Last but not least, please check out our brief welcome guide that shows you all the great resources we have on NamePros:

NamePros Resources Guide

Please feel free to contact us anytime if you need anything. I'm always happy to help and answer any questions that you may have.

I look forward to seeing you around!

Peace,
Kenny

 

[DaveX]

A more popular and legitimate plan would be to look for keyword+firstorlastname.

For example, CryptoJoe.

You're safe that way but you'll have to do searching as you can imagine.