Can I approach an enterprise with my .com?

wamya · 09-10-2010, 07:45:18 PM

I've recently registered a .com domain through Godaddy. When I looked at the .co.uk url it went to a �300m UK company. (exact match)

Should i approach them or park the domain and benefit from the traffic?

accelerator · 09-10-2010, 07:51:38 PM

It depends ... if it can be argued that the domain is generic then it might be OK, but if it's a unique name for which they have a trademark then you can't approach them and you should not have regged it.

Rgds

newly listed! · 09-10-2010, 07:56:44 PM

i actually find myself in the same situation at this moment lmao. but its not a trademarked name/phrase just a single word product which they own in a different extension and they have done since like 1997... ive drafted up a brief email to them informing them of the traffic stats it gets (as around 5000 a month uniques) and im going to ask them if they would be interested in acquiring it as its going up for sale and even their competition may put in an offer in if it goes public on sedo etc.. I do suggest treading careful but if you feel the want to try it on, do research firstly i guess

GreyWing · 10-10-2010, 02:04:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by newly listed!

and im going to ask them if they would be interested in acquiring it as its going up for sale and even their competition may put in an offer in if it goes public on sedo etc.

Jesus mate, if that is a .co.uk you may as well just give it away. They show that letter at a DRS and you can kiss that bad boy goodbye.

Don't be fooled by needing a TM to have rights in a name. Someone can have rights in a name for many reasons other than a registered TM.

newly listed! · 10-10-2010, 12:16:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GreyWing

Jesus mate, if that is a .co.uk you may as well just give it away. They show that letter at a DRS and you can kiss that bad boy goodbye.

Don't be fooled by needing a TM to have rights in a name. Someone can have rights in a name for many reasons other than a registered TM.

-------
Hi Greywing, Is it really that dodgy? damn it!

ill be honest i have been buying up domains since 2007 and i have a pile of good names in numerous extensions that im working my way through developing and the ones that i dont fully need anymore i have decided to start selling off.. i have never ever been the one to ever sell domains tbh so only just getting on the ropes and thought dropping them an email to ask if there is any interest would be a good start than waiting for a snap up on sedo etc..

Seems to me now that its all way too dodgy trying to sell domains as someone who wants it for their company can use it against you to get it, is that the case? The best way is to wait for an offer out of the blue?

GreyWing · 10-10-2010, 01:27:16 PM

Trouble is mate if you are identifying a buyer, sometimes you are showing that they have rights in the name, or why else would you be offering them that?

That's not always bad, but I would stay away from saying anything about selling it to their competition. You are likely to show yourself in a bad light in any complaint they might make to WIPO. If the .co.uk owner is as big as you say, they won't think twice about spending a few quid on lawyers.

So yep it might be a good idea to contact them, but just be polite and don't highlight any consequences as they sound like threats.

vizzo · 10-10-2010, 06:17:32 PM

Tread carefully!

wamya · 10-10-2010, 07:49:15 PM

Thanks for the advice guys. I think i will just sit on it and let it expire. After all I've only spent a few � on the registration and i really don't want the hassle.

I'll better research next time.

newly listed! · 14-10-2010, 03:05:05 PM

Thanks for all the advice too, i have typed up my email and will send it off tomorrow morning to the company's marketing dept.. will let you all know how wrong it goes for me lmao :O

webtyrant · 26-10-2010, 09:56:30 AM

How did you get on?
There's also the ethical/business/long term play.
You can be helpful to that company.. if they are missing out on their web strategy

Si

09-10-2010, 07:45:18 PM	#1 (permalink)
wamya Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Posts: 2 No Classified Ratings Domain Trader Rating: (0% / 0)	Can I approach an enterprise with my .com? I've recently registered a .com domain through Godaddy. When I looked at the .co.uk url it went to a �300m UK company. (exact match) Should i approach them or park the domain and benefit from the traffic?

09-10-2010, 07:51:38 PM	#2 (permalink)
accelerator Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: England Posts: 4,918 No Classified Ratings Domain Trader Rating: (100% / 31)	It depends ... if it can be argued that the domain is generic then it might be OK, but if it's a unique name for which they have a trademark then you can't approach them and you should not have regged it. Rgds __________________ LowPrices.co.uk \| My Twitter \| KeyphraseDomains.co.uk \| Mens Shirts \| Hotels in Bath \| Money Off Code

10-10-2010, 01:27:16 PM	#6 (permalink)
GreyWing Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Barnsley Posts: 3,176 No Classified Ratings Domain Trader Rating: (100% / 18)	Trouble is mate if you are identifying a buyer, sometimes you are showing that they have rights in the name, or why else would you be offering them that? That's not always bad, but I would stay away from saying anything about selling it to their competition. You are likely to show yourself in a bad light in any complaint they might make to WIPO. If the .co.uk owner is as big as you say, they won't think twice about spending a few quid on lawyers. So yep it might be a good idea to contact them, but just be polite and don't highlight any consequences as they sound like threats. __________________ Make cash from your website, any website, any sector... That.co.uk Find out more

14-10-2010, 03:05:05 PM	#9 (permalink)
newly listed! Join Date: Oct 2010 Posts: 153 No Classified Ratings Domain Trader Rating: (0% / 0)	Thanks for all the advice too, i have typed up my email and will send it off tomorrow morning to the company's marketing dept.. will let you all know how wrong it goes for me lmao :O Last edited by newly listed!; 14-10-2010 at 03:05:31 PM. Reason: spelling..

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09-10-2010, 07:56:44 PM	#3 (permalink)
newly listed! Join Date: Oct 2010 Posts: 153 No Classified Ratings Domain Trader Rating: (0% / 0)	i actually find myself in the same situation at this moment lmao. but its not a trademarked name/phrase just a single word product which they own in a different extension and they have done since like 1997... ive drafted up a brief email to them informing them of the traffic stats it gets (as around 5000 a month uniques) and im going to ask them if they would be interested in acquiring it as its going up for sale and even their competition may put in an offer in if it goes public on sedo etc.. I do suggest treading careful but if you feel the want to try it on, do research firstly i guess

10-10-2010, 06:17:32 PM	#7 (permalink)
vizzo Join Date: May 2010 Location: Cumbria Posts: 320 No Classified Ratings Domain Trader Rating: (100% / 13)	Tread carefully!

10-10-2010, 07:49:15 PM	#8 (permalink)
wamya Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Posts: 2 No Classified Ratings Domain Trader Rating: (0% / 0)	Thanks for the advice guys. I think i will just sit on it and let it expire. After all I've only spent a few � on the registration and i really don't want the hassle. I'll better research next time.

26-10-2010, 09:56:30 AM	#10 (permalink)
webtyrant Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Posts: 3 No Classified Ratings Domain Trader Rating: (0% / 0)	How did you get on? There's also the ethical/business/long term play. You can be helpful to that company.. if they are missing out on their web strategy Si