Some wisdom on how best to respond....

[niceguy]

I bought a domain from a available domains list a few weeks ago. Great name - generic two word .com. I parked it at Fabulous and put a price on it.

Today I got an "offer" via Fabulous on the domain - I edited out the details, and copied it here:

Domain: ---------.com
Name: Ken --------------
Email: [email protected]
Offering Price: $0
Additional Comments: The business name (this is the actual dot com name I regged) is owned by Ken----- in Utah. It is a business name. Anyone using this name will be sued!

I did a google search on the domain name and a few down in the first ten - there was a link to a completely different domain name (I do mean completely different), but if you go to that domain the webpage is titled the same name as the domain I regged.

Btw he is actually apparently using the domain name I regged as his business name - including the phrase ".com"

No archive .org pages, and no domain history - it appears that I'm the first to reg this name.

I (rightly or wrongly) have no fear about this - the name is very generic (and a great name) - and I have very little invested. I have number of thoughts of how to respond, but I thought I would ask the opinion/wisdom of others (and calm down for 24 hours) before I respond (or not respond) with how I'm tempted to respond to someone who initiates a domain issue the way this guy has.

Peace,
Tarry G

 

[NameClerk]

That sounds pretty strange to me. Why would someone name their business "something.com" if they didn't even own the rights to something.com.

Are there any entries at TESS related to this name?

My suggestion would be to maintain a pleasant attitude with them no matter how nasty they get. Having said that, I would also make it known that you feel their claims have no merit and they'd be better served making an offer on the domain.

If it comes down to selling the name to them, they've already claimed that they're willing to part with the cost of a lawsuit to obtain it. That's a fair amount of money and can be used as a bargaining chip.

Just my opinion.

-Bill

 

[niceguy]

Bill,

It is as ridiculous as it sounds. The guy apparently is calling his business -----.com and yet does not own the .com AND I'm the first person to regg the .com too (At least I was not able to find any history on the name....

I will check the trademark issue.

It would be like like me calling my business "greatideas.com" and not regging the domain. I can understand someone doing business as "greatideas" and not owning the dot com (although that would not be smart) - but this guy actually has .com in his business name...

Peace,
Tarry G

 

[labrocca]

Start negotiating. See what he is willing to spend.

 

[NP41215]

Start negotiating. See what he is willing to spend.

The case reminds me of a guy who trademarked a generic word and began threatening everyone with a domain that contains said generic word with lawsuits, but offer the alternative of a "very reasonable" license of >=$xxx a year.

In fact, he would send out an impressive envelope with an inch-thick legal papers and various "documentation", along with his legal threats. Must have cost him a few pennies in printing and postage. LOL