Wanted: Domain Appraisal dedicated windows servers co uk - trademark?

[dashu1]

I didn't even think about this until after I'd registered it (on the beer), but I'm not sure on this whether it's classed as a trademark problem or not.

There's loads of sites advertising dedicated windows servers, and the .com is 301'd to a company in the Uk.

Surely if it's a product or rather a service you're offering that involves a particular type of product it's okay - otherwise how could you possibly advertise it, and how could they generate any sales?

I stand to be corrected...

 

[accelerator]

My opinion would be that if Microsoft decided they wanted to take it off you, they would more than likely be able to.

You can offer a given product on a website without having to have it in the domain name.

Rgds

 

[dashu1]

Thanks Accelerator,
any other opinions?

 

[dashu1]

Yes but that's a silly argument.

If Windows didn't exist and instead there were doors servers, then people would be advertising dedicated doors servers, and someone would register that.

It isn't "trading off" because you're not trying to sell a product that isn't theirs off the back of their name, you're aiming to sell their product with a specific type of service or package attached to it.

You can quite fairly be hooverspareparts.co.uk so long as you're selling spare parts that are genuine hoover parts, not some cheap chinese equivalents.

Trademark law doeasn't mean if you use someones name you're doomed, it has to be a legitimate use for the legitimate product, and they aren't daft enough to start taking people to court for advertising their products otherwise no one will know about their products and they won't sell any.

Anyway, I've sent some emails and got some positive interest already.

 

[eurorealtor]

Potential TM conflict domains always $0 to -$100k.

 

[Admin]

Knowing how MS have gone after people in the past I would say you are taking a big risk as the potential for sale or other return would never be enough to take the risk of being sued.

Look at some of the names they went after:
http://www.pcworld.com/article/140813/article.html
http://blog.domaintools.com/2007/09/microsoft-fires-off-three-domain-lawsuits/

you could say "Excel Course .com" is just someone offering training but they still sued them for it.

Get rid of it.

Admin

 

[PoshTiger]

I've had domains with Microsoft TMs in the past and so long as you don't do anything they see as being dodgy - you'll be fine..

I ran MS based user groups so I was shouting the good word and had reps from MS come to pretty much every meeting to help out.

 

[humbug1s1k]

There's loads of sites advertising dedicated windows servers, and the .com is 301'd to a company in the Uk.

Be careful using this arguement as its the old well so and so does it so why cant I. There are loads of websites with "iphone" and "apple" in as well does that make it right to register one.......no.

Just be careful with TM's......personally I would stay away altogether.....IMHO