Trade Mark What If?

[Broker]

If I have a domain name for a year, then some big corporate company comes along and trademarks the words in the domain, do they have a right to my domain?

Thanks! :tu:

 

[CanSpace]

No not necessarily. If you have been using the domain for a legitimate purpose prior to them registering the trademark they do not have a very strong case against you.

 

[Robin]

If the domain is not parked, Then you have the right to use. If it is parked, then they can take it.

 

[bmugford]

That is far too simplistic.

Brad

If the domain is not parked, Then you have the right to use. If it is parked, then they can take it.

 

[Dave_Z]

That is far too simplistic.

Brad

Indeed.

Rights are disputed every other day. One actual question is is there an enforceable
claim under any applicable law and/or policy.

Generally speaking, domains registered before its trademark namesake has existed
have strong chances against future infringement claims. There are exceptions like
if the domain's page changed to show commercial use after the mark started being
in use, made aware of mark's existence and "proactively" tried to sell it to them,
etc.

Just be ready to deal with them, folks. You might...might...be fine.

 

[Broker]

Actually I'm using it right now for traffic to one of my websites.