Registering new domain names with one end user in mind

[Mullen99]

For example. Say i know a company that sells clothes on their website and the domain name they are using is jackandjohnsclothes.co.uk
Now i am assuming that most people under normal circumstances would advise against registering jackandjohnsclothes.com
I was just wondering if it would be a good strategy to register it with that one single end user in mind.
Thoughts ? Comments ?

 

[Eric Lyon]

The problem you face when you register a domain with the same exact name as another Developed domain and then try to sell it to them is that it falls under Squatting laws: [ame="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cybersquatting"]Cybersquatting - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia[/ame] (considered a Bad Faith registration).

Whilst there's many people that never get caught / reported for using this tactic, you always face the chance of being one of the few that does get reported by the company you offer to. This may lead into a UDRP or other legal actions on the companies behalf that feels you are deliberately trying to take advantage of their name / brand / TM.

Personally, I would advise against it, however if you do decide to follow through be certain you do all your research (some country's don't honor squatting laws) and try to approach it in a way that doesn't put you in a losing position in the event litigation occurs.

Eric Lyon

 

[Mullen99]

Thanks for that.
Seeing that i live in the uk , could i not just do this with domain names in america. I dont think they could take any action ....or could they ?

 

[officevalue]

If they have a trademark, the domain could be taken away from you, wherever you live.

If you don't understand the UDRP, you need to before you start to register any potentially infringing domains.

Wikipedia: Uniform Domain-Name Dispute-Resolution Policy#Process

 

[Kate]

And you wonder why domainers have a bad rep.

 

[Mullen99]

And you wonder why domainers have a bad rep.

i dont necessarily agree with that. Right now there are domain names unregistered that could help businesses i know. They arent aware those names are available, by me registering those domains i am securing them for these businesses and then offering the domains to them for a reasonable price. Whats so wrong with that ? Its ultimately going to help them in the long run by having those domain names.

 

[fm1234]

Why don't you just let me PM you my PayPal address, and you can send me $10 each time you find a reasonable facsimile of a trademark domain that's available for registration. Over the long run, you'll save money (renewals, UDRP fees etc.) and I'll make money + feel good about helping you save money. Plus, no lawyers will get paid during the course of the transaction. Win-Win-Win. :D

 

[lothos]

i dont necessarily agree with that. Right now there are domain names unregistered that could help businesses i know. They arent aware those names are available, by me registering those domains i am securing them for these businesses and then offering the domains to them for a reasonable price. Whats so wrong with that ? Its ultimately going to help them in the long run by having those domain names.

If you wanted to be so friendly and helpful, why not just send them an email letting them know the domain is available?

Registering a trademark with the intent to sell it to that company is called squatting. You can be SUED or forced to hand over the domain. Any small company will rather spend $10 on a different domain rather than pay you $100 for the domain you're squatting on. Any larger company will take legal action.

Why would you waste your time registering a domain that only has ONE possible enduser? That same time could be better spent registering domains with MANY endusers and a much much higher chance of profit. (plus you won't be a jackass cybersquatter!)