debate Very Similar Domain Names

[blue crystal]

Suppose I came up with the “bigidea.com” domain name but then I found out that it is already taken. Then I decide to change it a little bit by adding an “s” after “idea”, which turns the domain name into “bigideas.com” and then I find out it is available. Are there any foreseeable problems if I buy a domain name quite similar to another one already taken ?

I would also make a similar question regarding keeping the same name but adding a different extension, let's say from “.com” to “org”.

 

[biggie]

Hi

each instance, always depends on the specific domain, not the example

additionally, if the name with an S is available to register, then it probably wasn't good enough for the owner of the same name, without the S to buy.

and you have to ask yourself, why?

imo...

 

[wurdd]

If you use it for a business, you really need to consider misdirected or misaddressed email issues.

 

[blue crystal]

Would be a problem if the greatidea.com domain owner had registered "greatidea" as trademark ?

 

[cabotower]

sometimes the plural is a better fit and makes more sense than the singular

 

[BaileyUK]

Would be a problem if the greatidea.com domain owner had registered "greatidea" as trademark ?

A trademark isn't intended to be a 'Blanket' protection against any other users or uses. You need to check the Registration Classes of each trademark. Each Judgement of trademark-infringement will have different reasons of conflict giving rise to that judgement. You need to familiarize yourself with Trademark law if you go down that road.of potential conflict

There are many. many reasons why you could even inadvertently find yourself at the wrong end of a claim. And yet Trademark Law, for all it's apparent problems in enforcement and defense makes absolute common sense when you take the time to understand its protection parameters.

A good few hours of reading the basics plus some 'past case' examples will have you constantly nodding your head in agreement as you delve further and further in. And that's equally for those cases that succeeded and those thrown-out.

 

[Ategy]

I definitely suggest you do as @BaileyUK recommends and do a lot more reading.

Whether a domain is taken or not has nothing to do with whether the term is trademarked or not.

But more importantly .. in SOME cases simply adding an S at the end of an existing trademark might or might not be ok depending on the specifics.

But a good base general guideline would be:

- If you are buying a domain because it seems like somebody else's brand, then there's definitely a chance you are going to be infringing on their trademark.

I would definitely recommend you do NOT buy such domains until you've learned more about trademarks and how they pertain to domains.

That being said .. a good portion of the time if it's a very common term or generic word, then you're fine. But don't take chances .. inform yourself first!

 

[Name Trader]

Would be a problem if the greatidea.com domain owner had registered "greatidea" as trademark ?

You ask this now. But not in your original question. Why is that? I'm guessing you already know the answer to this as well.

 

[blue crystal]

You ask this now. But not in your original question. Why is that? I'm guessing you already know the answer to this as well.

Actually, I suspected that trademark could be a problem and I wanted to insert this hypothesis right in the first question. However, I thought that if I did that, people could concentrate on this factor and forget exploring other possibilities. Furthermore, I am a novice in domains, trademarks, and other related matters. I wanted to solidify my vague assumptions by listening to people with far more experience than me in these areas.

 

[Name Trader]

Actually, I suspected that trademark could be a problem and I wanted to insert this hypothesis right in the first question. However, I thought that if I did that, people could concentrate on this factor and forget exploring other possibilities. Furthermore, I am a novice in domains, trademarks, and other related matters. I wanted to solidify my vague assumptions by listening to people with far more experience than me in these areas.

I'm not really picking on you specifically. I'm just making the point, that when you ask a question, you should mention all the issues which you "think" might be important. So we don't have to start guessing what you had in mind.

 

[Corey]

a couple of resources for you

United States Patent and Trademark Office - An Agency of the Department of Commerce @ https://www.uspto.gov/trademark

WIPO's trademarks page is your starting point to understand, search, and register trademarks.@ https://www.wipo.int/trademarks/en/

Cheers
Corey

 

[lock]

With some keywords this can actually be gold because years ago domainers wouldn't buy plurals even if they sounded better.

 

[blue crystal]

Godaddy says that they only sell domains that do not conflict with trademarks. If this is really true it gives us some tranquility. What you all think ?

 

[Name Trader]

Godaddy says that they only sell domains that do not conflict with trademarks. If this is really true it gives us some tranquility. What you all think ?

I see trademarked domains in their expired domain auctions all the time. So that statement is definitely NOT true.