Why can John Chow do it?

[BlueprintDomains.com]

Why can Mr Chow own and run TwitterFollower.com?
Would this not be a trademark issue? Or could he have permission from Twitter being a big player and all?

 

[DotWeekly]

He could have permission but it seems that Twitter doesn't pounce on TM related things all that much. Does that make it "OK" to own a domain with Twitter in it... no, but many do.

 

[BlueprintDomains.com]

Just wanted to hear everyones thoughts on this...
We all know if somone brought up they owned such a domain here, he or she would be told its worth zero, over and over again due to Trademark issues. Here is Mr Chow operaiting a site on a domain with Huge Trademark issues. I want to say he has to have permission, on the site it says that its in no way affiliated with Twitter.

 

[JoshuaPz]

He's not taking any business away from Twitter; if anything, he's acting more like a Twitter affiliate and generating press for the company, and he states clearly that his website is unaffiliated with Twitter.

Scenarios:
* John Chow's site becomes big and a journalist writes an article about JC's site in the New York Times. Thousands flock to JC's site, of which a few dozen join Twitter.
* John Chow optimizes his website for social network-oriented keywords such as "social network marketing" or "advertise to millions". His site appears on Google for those keywords. People Google those keywords and discover Twitter through John Chow's site.
...etc.

Trademarks were created primarily to help prevent business from being taken away from IP owners by confusing consumers. JC is, in a sense, doing the opposite.

Plus, Yofie is correct that Twitter doesn't have much of a history of defending its trademark anyway.

 

[BlueprintDomains.com]

So your saying its ok to reg domains with obvious Trademarked company names and profit from it, because it will get press and get that company a few more users at the end of the day?
If you or I walked in and said what do you think of this reg I just made all we would hear is TM TM TM not well its ok because you arent taking any business away from twitter so its ok go ahed make money.

 

[HappyBunny]

So your saying its ok to reg domains with obvious Trademarked company names and profit from it

He could have permission but it seems that Twitter doesn't pounce on TM related things all that much. Does that make it "OK" to own a domain with Twitter in it... no, but many do.

:bingo:

 

[DotWeekly]

So your saying its ok to reg domains with obvious Trademarked company names and profit from it, because it will get press and get that company a few more users at the end of the day?
If I walked in and said what do you think of this reg I just made all I would hear is TM TM TM

Somethings you post on "forums" somethings you do not

If you were to watch the magic bullet system video (affiliate marketing video) you will hear the guy keep saying "I am doing everything legally" etc... He thinks he is, but if you look at the domain names he using for his landing pages, all the domains contain Trademarks of the specific programs he's running!

One is an MSN toolbar download and he has Download-msnToolbar.com as the domain...

He is using a Skype domain for another etc.

 

[BlueprintDomains.com]

Somethings you post on "forums" somethings you do not

???

 

[DotWeekly]

correction from above.. the domain is Download-msnMessenger.com not "toolbar".

My comment about somethings you post and somethings you do not... No kidding people will post TM no value...

The fact, A LOT of people own TM domains. It's not something to brag about, nor the most wise thing to do. For a reseller, no you shouldn't be owning TM domains period. Developed TM domains, some have permission from the TM owner, most do not.

The best advice, stay away from them!

 

[BlueprintDomains.com]

I agree with stay away from them...

 

[JoshuaPz]

If JC is actually making profit from use of his -Twitter- domain then I agree, what he's doing is absolutely wrong. What I said before was based based on the fact it looked like his website just housed a free video. I didn't watch his video or register for his service, so it's possible I spoke too rashly.

 

[bluesinjid]

If JC is actually making profit from use of his -Twitter- domain then I agree, what he's doing is absolutely wrong. What I said before was based based on the fact it looked like his website just housed a free video. I didn't watch his video or register for his service, so it's possible I spoke too rashly.

Lol, I agree, even though he is a work at home blogger making over 40k a year. If you see his site, you see he makes money from tweeting too, $1000 a tweet!