Snapnames.com vs Snappynames.com- Any trademark/legal issues?

[tdn878]

I bought the domain name snappynames.com last week at a GoDaddy closeout auction. I thought it was a pretty cool name that I could use to develop into a domain portfolio site in the future. I was well aware of Snapnames.com before I bought the name, however snappynames.com to me, felt like a generic enough name. I mean, although both sound similar, "snap" and "snappy", have two very different meanings.

Obviously snapnames catches dropped names, so they are using the word in its normal dictionary meaning- grabbing, snatching, catching something. I would be using the word "Snappy" in its normal meaning dictionary meaning as well, indicating clever, cool, trendy etc. So its not a case of a plural or an extension of a word with the same meaning.

Snappynames.com has been registered since 2003 and was used as a web hosting & domain registrar site as late as 2009. I mean if Snapnames had any problems with snappynames, then surely they would have made a legal claim for it a long time ago. However, the similar purpose (selling domain names) the site will be used for, not to mention the name is 2 letters away from "snapnames" makes me slightly worried.

Do you guys think there will be any trademark ("snapnames" is trademarked) or legal issues with owning snappynames.com since it is very similar to snapnames.com? Any advice or opinions would be great. Thanks.

 

[tdn878]

Thanks Cyberian. And thanks for the heads up regarding the other site. I will keep the forum updated when and IF i even get a response back from SN. Anyone else reading this thread and have any other opinions, I would love to hear them, thanks.

tdn878,

If you havent heard this yet...
Welcome to NamePros!!!!

It is interesting that SN never made the move with the previous owners, but that could have been for a number of reasons, some of which you already mentioned.

Please keep us informed on the outcome with SN, and you may want to contact the owner of Snappy Domains dot com as well, to see if there will be any issues with them.

Again, welcome to NP, enjoy your visits, and best of luck for the future.

Peace,
Cyberian

---------- Post added at 02:19 AM ---------- Previous post was at 01:39 AM ----------

You then have clearly shown your intention with the domain, and wanting to confirm that this usage will NOT be construed as encroaching on their TM etc.

This was precisely what I emailed them. I pretty much detailed exactly how I intended to use the site and Snapnames main service of auctioning and domain catching was something that I would never intend on providing.

We all seen this before they may be extremely polite to you but they will say snappyname infringes on their intellectual property and will tell you what course to follow.

Yep, strong chance they will. But like I said- I want to hear straight from the horses mouth. These are new owners after all. I don't have a problem with deleting the name, but I am not going to anticipate their next move for them no matter how obvious it seems to you. This is all rather interesting to me. I want to enjoy the ride, so relax brother no ones getting a lawsuit here.

 

[Dave_Z]

IMHO everyone else pretty much said what needs to be known, which is why I haven't posted until now. Only thing I can probably add is to try not to give anyone any "material claim" against you, namely possible domain-trademark claims in this discussion.

Given SnapNames' fame in the context of domain names only, setting aside their auction services, unfortunately they do have grounds. I won't be surprised if the SnapNames/KeyDrive people feel the same way as the original SN owners did in that SnapNames-SwapNames dispute, though I suppose one can hope.

Alas, no one really knows - short of using an absolutely reliable crystal ball - what SnapNames will do if ever.

 

[tdn878]

Hi guys,

I forgot to update this thread. After I tried emailing them, they created a support case number and email saying they will get back to me. After about 3 weeks of no response, I emailed them back asking them on the progress of the case. I got an automated response back saying the case had been closed, WTF? They closed the case without even responding to it. They could of at least forwarded it to the right people.

I then got someone in the US to call them, trying out all the numbers on their website to see if I could get a response. The person who called them, said to me it was near impossible to get a decent response from them. They kept forwarding him all over the place- then saying to leave a phone number and email and they will get back to him. Needless to say, they never did- He said his whole experience with them had been a nightmare.

So long story short- They pretty much couldn't be stuffed getting back to me. So I really can't be stuff ever dealing with them again. Thanks Snapnames for your shitty customer service. I am going to get a new domain name, but not right now because this project really isn't that important to me and I have a lot of other things on my plate. Thanks everyone for all the responses in this thread.

 

[Kate]

Personally I am not surprised at all. A TM holder would prefer not to answer, if they say yes that could weaken their position in case of an issue in the future. If they say no, then they would have to justify their stance somehow, and the slippery slope begins.
The best for them is to say nothing, not show their cards, make zero commitment, and just watch your actions. Thus they protect their interests.
So far you have done nothing with the name, you just stated an intent. They have little against you, for the time being. If you develop the domain, that will change.

Based on post #2 (mine) I am pretty sure you are going to run into problems. Why take a chance.

 

[Dave_Z]

Not surprised, either. Customer service is what the words are: customer service.

No reason to render service to people who aren't likely to do business with them, much more asking a legal question they're not necessarily trained to answer. That's for their legal department, not customer service.

Anywho, good luck on your ventures.