Domain name for gaming site

funki · Sep 25, 2006

Hi, I've quite far on building an affiliate site selling nintendo consoles and games. I registered the .co.uk and .com versions of a name along the lines of totalnintendo with a similar word to 'total' (would rather not give out actual domain name just yet).

I didn't think at the time of registering that it might be a problem using the Nintendo name as I was thinking of it more as a word to describe the games platform the site would be geared for rather than the Nintendo trademark. I've put a disclaimer on the foot of every page saying "This Site is Not Affilliated with Nintendo" do you think I'll be okay with that or should I just change the name now to avoid any future problems? (I really like the name though :???: )

I've seen pretty big forums and fan sites with Nintendo in the domain name that aren't affiliated with them and seem to have been around for a while so must be okay but I wonder if a site geared purely towards sales might be seen as a bit dodgy by them? I'm planning on promoting the site using Google adwords so it'll be an up front commercial site from the start.

Thanks in advance for any feedback on this.

russ · Sep 25, 2006

Not great to have a trade mark in your name

You shouldn't call your business something with someone elses trade mark in it. They wouldn't want you using that name in advertising etc. Also Microsoft has been going after everyone with Microsoft trade marks in their domain names, such as Xbox etc. So I'd avoid it if you are aspiring to become big. Either get a generic name like VideoGameStore.co.uk, or GetConsoles.com, or make up something that you can register as your own trade mark.

SF · Sep 25, 2006

VideoGaming.o.uk VideoGames.co.uk would be prime names to go after

funki · Sep 25, 2006

Sensible advice Russ, not really what I wanted to hear but I guess it would always be a worry if it gets successful. Just found a generic name that I think I'll go with to be safe. Nice names DB, very prime