How to Sell Movie Domain (.co.uk)?

GingerApple · Mar 8, 2010

Hi,

I apologise in advance for anyone I've upset by putting this in, possibly, the wrong forum. I found this one to be most appropriate.

A few years ago I registered a few .co.uk domains for a movie that was coming out. For arguments' sake, let's call the movie "Acorn Thriller" with a working title of "Domain Lovers", so I registered AcornThriller.co.uk, AcornThrillerMovie.co.uk and DomainLovers.co.uk (of course with the words replaced with the actual film name - incidentally, all these made-up domains are currently available for you to reg!).

The film came out in America last month, and is coming out in the UK very shortly. The production company own the .com version, AcornThriller.com, and has a UK version of the site at AcornThriller.com/UK.

So, what would be the best way to sell this domain? Should I order an appraisal from Sedo and list it there; get in touch with the production company, another method?

Looking forward to hearing your suggestions.

Thanks, Will

Skinner · Mar 8, 2010

Safely ? Drop it and move on.

Playing with fire, park it and hope for the traffic surge.

Russian Roulette, put a basic site up with cinema affiliate (you may risk your affiliate account) and hope for the best.

GingerApple · Mar 8, 2010

Skinner said:
Safely ? Drop it and move on.

Playing with fire, park it and hope for the traffic surge.

Russian Roulette, put a basic site up with cinema affiliate (you may risk your affiliate account) and hope for the best.

No sale value?

willbon · Mar 8, 2010

I heard a good reply on here before... can't find it.. so it went something like....
Best thing is to let the company know you have the domain and you are happy to let it go to them.... after they've paid some fees for your administration and time!...
If there's TM issues it seems the best course of action is to be upfront, but also consider that by them paying a small(ish) sum they will avoid the need for lawyers at a greater cost...
In the end it's a business decision.

Good luck

GingerApple · Mar 8, 2010

willbon said:
I heard a good reply on here before... can't find it.. so it went something like....
Best thing is to let the company know you have the domain and you are happy to let it go to them.... after they've paid some fees for your administration and time!...
If there's TM issues it seems the best course of action is to be upfront, but also consider that by them paying a small(ish) sum they will avoid the need for lawyers at a greater cost...
In the end it's a business decision.

Good luck

Fair point. I know there isn't a TM issue as I've searched for the TM on both UK and US intellectual property websites and got no results.

Are you consquently suggesting that I should contact the production company and offer it to them for a small fee? But then, what becomes a small fee? Do I order an appraisal to back me up?

Skinner · Mar 8, 2010

I can tell you Warner and Disney would rather dry rape your arse than give you reg fee.

wb · Mar 8, 2010

GingerApple said:
I know there isn't a TM issue as I've searched for the TM on both UK and US intellectual property websites and got no results.

A trademark doesn't have to be registered to be classed as 'passing off'. How generic is this domain; is it something that could have been registered for a different purpose had this movie not come out?

GingerApple · Mar 8, 2010

wb said:
A trademark doesn't have to be registered to be classed as 'passing off'. How generic is this domain; is it something that could have been registered for a different purpose had this movie not come out?

It's specific. The film is adapted from a book which was published in 2003.

wb · Mar 8, 2010

In that case, I would definitly drop it while you can and avoid any risk.

Lucky Luke · Mar 8, 2010

There is a way to cancel a domain rather than waiting for it to drop. Look through the Nominet stuff. By doing this, you show that you are aware of the potential infringement and have taken positive steps to stop any such infringement.

This potential copyright infringement is simply not worth the risk. Cancel the domain as soon as possible, imho.

dashu1 · Mar 10, 2010

I take it you mean sh*tter isl*nd ??

I think the problem you have is that there's no reason to register that name unless it's to benefit from the book &/or film, and since it's also the title of the book, so you could end up with the production company (Paramount) and the publisher (Harper Collins) after you.

I'd imagine they both have pretty big full time legal departments to fight the never ending tide of plagiarists, copyright infringers, and other people they need to sue to death.

I wouldn't be contacting them if it were me, I don't think they'll play ball.

dashu1 · Mar 10, 2010

Haven't people still been pursued even after dropping names though?

Lucky Luke said:
There is a way to cancel a domain rather than waiting for it to drop. Look through the Nominet stuff. By doing this, you show that you are aware of the potential infringement and have taken positive steps to stop any such infringement.

This potential copyright infringement is simply not worth the risk. Cancel the domain as soon as possible, imho.

Skinner · Mar 10, 2010

A certain italian company who like horses, will go after you after dropping names.

Lucky Luke · Mar 10, 2010

dashu1 said:
Haven't people still been pursued even after dropping names though?

They might be pursued, but actively canceling a name rather than just letting it drop 2 years down the way shows more goodwill, contrition and would help as a defence imho.

Skinner · Mar 10, 2010

It would only be a defence, if they could demonstrate they knew nothing about the original thing before they registered the name, then cancelled it as soon as they knew.

Arguing that, with a name with no other meaning would be hard work. This is how it was explained to a colleague who was chased by stallions from italy.