Trademark issue with names. What to do?

[brindle123]

I own 4 domain names that i would consider trademark problems. Has anyone else had any luck working out deals with the TM owners? I found the names and bought them, so I feel that at the very least I should receive a gratuity of some sort for my efforts. I'm not talking about $XX,XXX or even $XXX, just something to say thank you for looking out for my companies best interest. I didn't spend that much on the names. One of the companies owns every extention except the .org that I own. Does anyone out there know how I can approach these companies asking for a small finders fee, without getting into deepwaters? One of the names I might just give to the company because I like there business model so much. Please post your opinions or advice.
Thank you

 

[dan_Vt]

I'm not a lawyer, but from my layperson understanding, contacting a company and asking for a finders fee will get you in trouble...period -- this shows that you purchased a trademarked name with the purpose of making money off of it.

And why would a company pay a "finders fee"? There are an unlimited number of names out there for every trademark. Take "Dell" just as an example, you could "find" Dellabc.com, Dell123.com, Dellxyz.com, Dell58cdokjf34ol796gasklehyg.com...you get the idea. I'm basically saying, you didn't "find" anything, it's just that the trademark owner wasn't interested in using the name.

Anyway, my .02. Unless you can turn it into something unrelated to the trademarked business, let it drop.

Dan

 

[slaughterbeck]

I own 4 domain names that i would consider trademark problems. Has anyone else had any luck working out deals with the TM owners? I found the names and bought them, so I feel that at the very least I should receive a gratuity of some sort for my efforts. I'm not talking about $XX,XXX or even $XXX, just something to say thank you for looking out for my companies best interest. I didn't spend that much on the names. One of the companies owns every extention except the .org that I own. Does anyone out there know how I can approach these companies asking for a small finders fee, without getting into deepwaters? One of the names I might just give to the company because I like there business model so much. Please post your opinions or advice.
Thank you

If you ask for a "Just" a little something I’ll bet you that they’ll be more than happy to give it to you. Unfortunately, it’s likely to be a Cease and Desist order demanding the names and that will be followed by a WIPO claim in which they will include your email communication which will more than likely prove “Bad Faith” leaving you no grounds to argue your case.


Be careful!




- Kimmy