Replacing "o" with "0"

[bandit09]

Hey all, gotta quick question. If I replace an "o" (oh) with a "0" (zero) in a domain name, is that against any trademark laws or anything of the sort? Because I own m0zilla.org and I'm planning to develop it into a fan site with reviews, comparisons, forums, etc. if it gets popular enough, then yes, I would use ads to generate revenue. Just need to know if I could get in trouble or not, because if I will, I'll just let the domain drop. Thanks!

--Bandit

 

[owntype]

I don't think it has TM issue.

 

[Ronald Regging]

it definitely has TM issues. It's confusingly similiar. I think as long as you dont generate revenue, you should be fine, but the moment you start making money, they'd have every right to come after you. Especially since the entire page is dedicated to their software, you can't really claim that because it's a 0 instead of an o, it has nothing to do with them...

Whether they will come after you or not is another matter altogether.

 

[-Adam-]

it definitely has TM issues. It's confusingly similiar. I think as long as you dont generate revenue, you should be fine, but the moment you start making money, they'd have every right to come after you. Especially since the entire page is dedicated to their software, you can't really claim that because it's a 0 instead of an o, it has nothing to do with them...

Whether they will come after you or not is another matter altogether.

Have to agree here.

 

[Peter]

slipxaway is indeed correct it is confusingly similar to the trademark. To be against trademark you do noty have to meet the criteria 100% so even if you did m0zi11a.com it could still be classed as confusingly similar especially as the content will be of a similar nature.

 

[bandit09]

alright, thanks for the replies, guys. So what do you think? Should I try to develop it, or just let it drop? Also, I noted that a few of you said "whether or not they WILL come after you is another story". Do you think mozilla is the kind of company that would go after someone for making a fansite about their products and extensions?

Thanks!

--Bandit

 

[Barrucadu]

As far as I know, you have to ask mozilla for permission before you register a domain related to them. So if you haven't asked for permission, and develop it, it could cause trouble.

 

[bandit09]

thanks for the replies. Any other opinions, or statements? I still don't know if I should do it or not....Because I think mozilla SHOULD be happy if someone makes a fan site about them, driving them more popularity, and downloads, but still, I'm not certain if I should dev, or just let it drop....

 

[Domagon]

Delete the domain, and come up with something a bit more original...

May take some effort, but you'll likely come out better in the longrun.

Ron

 

[bandit09]

thanks for the advice domagon. My (obvious) guess is that it shouldn't have the word "mozilla" in it anywhere. But I guess "zilla" would be ok....

 

[labrocca]

Contact Mozilla...I believe they do give permission for fan sites with certain criteria.

 

[DNQuest.com]

thanks for the advice domagon. My (obvious) guess is that it shouldn't have the word "mozilla" in it anywhere. But I guess "zilla" would be ok....

TOHO actively goes after the "zilla" mark.