Enjoy unlimited access to all forum features for FREE! Optional upgrade available for extra perks.

Question about Trade Marks

Discussion in 'Domain Research' started by chuckylefrek, Mar 9, 2009.

Thread Status:
Not open for further replies.
  1. chuckylefrek

    chuckylefrek Active Member

    Joined:
    Feb 2008
    Posts:
    108
    Likes Received:
    1
    I was planning on launching a site soon using either the .co.uk or .net extension and today I noticed the .com has a "TM" trade mark sign after it.

    Does anyone know how this would affect me operating a site with the .co.uk or .net extension. The Trade Mark in question appears to be a US trade mark as far as my limited resarch worked out.

    Thanks in advance

    Paul
     
  2. Domain Forum

    Acorn Domains Elite Member

    Joined:
    1999
    Messages:
    Many
    Likes Received:
    Lots
    IWA Meetup
     
  3. accelerator United Kingdom

    accelerator Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Apr 2005
    Posts:
    7,435
    Likes Received:
    115
  4. chuckylefrek

    chuckylefrek Active Member

    Joined:
    Feb 2008
    Posts:
    108
    Likes Received:
    1
    Thanks accelerator for the very useful link

    There doesnt appear to be a uk trademark - what does that mean I am permitted to do? I am not sure how I can stop US people seing my website. Any further explanation appreciated as well as a rough cost of how much it costs to trade mark a domain name and is it worth bothering?
     
  5. Rob_F United Kingdom

    Rob_F Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Apr 2007
    Posts:
    1,486
    Likes Received:
    24
    How generic is the domain, and if it is, do you intend to use it for its descriptive use? Using apple.co.uk to sell apples or offer information on apples would be fine. If you were to use apple.co.uk to sell portable music devices a certain someone (company) might have issues with it ;).

    Do you plan to operate in the same area as the .com? Registered on not, trademarks rights are linked to classes, if you operate outside of these classes you *should be* fine.

    Also, you say the .com owner has TM alongside his name, this doesn't mean that he has a registered trademark, here or in the US. It simply means that he is asserting TM rights - he may not have a registered TM anywhere. Most companies who have a registered TM will display the proper ® symbol.

    Hope this helps.

    - Rob

    P.S. Feel free to PM me the name if you like and I will take a closer look.
     
  6. accelerator United Kingdom

    accelerator Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Apr 2005
    Posts:
    7,435
    Likes Received:
    115
    Feel free to PM me the name too and I'll give you my opinion (usual legal disclaimer applies!!).

    Rgds
     
Thread Status:
Not open for further replies.