Surnames

[sooty]

Does anyone know what the law says with regards to acquiring surname domains?

I've seen quite a few and am tempted to buy them, then contact the end-users directly. Can they challenge me, and get the domain for free taken away from me?

For instance, someone has registered my surname already, but I did not think I could challenge them and get it from them.

Any ideas? First and surname combinations e.g. celebrities, I can understand. But just surnames?

Anyone had any success selling these also?

 

[.Matt]

Nope doubt they can get the domain off you, my surnames also taken.

I think if you get a lot, it'd be good to start up an email service where they can get [email protected] ~ which could be a profit!

Although, I think it could be hard to sell, depending on how popular the domain is of course.

 

[Anthony]

That's what www.netidentity.com did -- now I'll never get www.anthony.net !!!

 

[snoopi]

Does anyone know what the law says with regards to acquiring surname domains?

I've seen quite a few and am tempted to buy them, then contact the end-users directly. Can they challenge me, and get the domain for free taken away from me?

For instance, someone has registered my surname already, but I did not think I could challenge them and get it from them.

Any ideas? First and surname combinations e.g. celebrities, I can understand. But just surnames?

Anyone had any success selling these also?

Interesting topic... Anyone else?

 

[Dave_Z]

Does anyone know what the law says with regards to acquiring surname domains?

I've seen quite a few and am tempted to buy them, then contact the end-users directly.

Resist the temptation.

Can they challenge me, and get the domain for free taken away from me?

Many who have succumbed to the temptation above have paid the price.

For instance, someone has registered my surname already, but I did not think I could challenge them and get it from them.

You can challenge them. But you have the burden of proving: a) you have
rights to the name, b) the current registrant doesn't have a legitimate use,
and c) the current registrant is using it in bad faith.

And pray the respondent doesn't prove their arguments. But if they do (and
they only need to prove one of the three), you'll lose.

 

[snoopi]

Thanks davezan! :tu:

 

[sooty]

On the one hand you say, resist the temptation or you will pay the price, but on the other hand, you are saying that it is easy for the holder to prove their argument???

 

[Dave_Z]

you are saying that it is easy for the holder to prove their argument???

Where did I say that?

 

[PoorDoggie]

what about ppl with the same surname? If I got www.clayson.com then why would someone be able to come along and take it from me? Thats not fair.

I suppose that when you are doing it deliberately to sell them on, then it is wrong... but as long as you have a reason! :talk: :talk:

Does anyone know what the law says with regards to acquiring surname domains?

I've seen quite a few and am tempted to buy them, then contact the end-users directly. Can they challenge me, and get the domain for free taken away from me?

For instance, someone has registered my surname already, but I did not think I could challenge them and get it from them.

Any ideas? First and surname combinations e.g. celebrities, I can understand. But just surnames?

Anyone had any success selling these also?

 

[sooty]

sorry davezan, when you said "(and they only need to prove one of the three)", I thought the implication was that it was easy for the current registrant to prove one of the three?

Or do you mean it is more difficult for them?

 

[Riceman]

yes - netidentity acquired many surnames in the late 90's.

 

[Dave_Z]

what about ppl with the same surname? If I got www.clayson.com then why would someone be able to come along and take it from me? Thats not fair.

Life's unfair. Get used to it. :D

I suppose that when you are doing it deliberately to sell them on, then it is wrong... but as long as you have a reason!

If you've read the UDRP, you'll also know what other "reasons" are stated why
the domain name can be taken away from its current registrant.

sorry davezan, when you said "(and they only need to prove one of the three)", I thought the implication was that it was easy for the current registrant to prove one of the three?

Or do you mean it is more difficult for them?

It depends on the data gathered by the complainant and the respondent (if
the latter replied at all) and submitted to the panelist/s assigned to the UDRP.
UDRP is fact-intensive.

But it also depends how "honest" either side is, though...

 

[bizing]

ok so I want alex.com

any offers

(bullcats)