Approaching company to buy domain with trademarked term?

tman · Aug 31, 2021

Hi,

Would love any input here.

I bought a dictionary word domain last year, one you probably wouldn't use in your day to day life but it's not an obscure word.

I just saw that it's up for renewal and did a bit of googling and found a company in the UK who trade under [my-domain-word]media.co.uk.

I also checked and they own the trademark to that word in their industry.

I am wondering if it's fine to approach them to purchase the domain and if this is something people have done/do?

Would appreciate your replies!

Thanks

dee · Aug 31, 2021

You'd possibly be giving them reason to grab the domain via DRS, with proof that its a bad faith registration (ie bought with intention of selling to them ) ??

tman · Aug 31, 2021

dee said:
You'd possibly be giving them reason to grab the domain via DRS, with proof that its a bad faith registration (ie bought with intention of selling to them ) ??

Thanks for your reply. Yes this was my worry. I thought it was a good domain to buy, I didn't know they existed at the time. I've have had it almost a year but haven't had time to do anything with it so thought selling to them would be a good option.

dee · Aug 31, 2021

I think if its a genuine generic dictionary word and could apply to various businesses you may be okay if they did a DRS, but the approaching them bit may be giving them ammunition to use against you.

Think there are a few here who have been through similar. Hopefully someone will see

tman · Aug 31, 2021

dee said:
I think if its a genuine generic dictionary word and could apply to various businesses you may be okay if they did a DRS, but the approaching them bit may be giving them ammunition to use against you.

Think there are a few here who have been through similar. Hopefully someone will see

Thanks again, I guess approaching them may not be the smartest move. It just got me thinking as I got an email saying it's up for renewal. Maybe just renewing is my best bet.