is my .co.uk now worthless?

binny · May 24, 2010

I just got a renewal note for a batch of speculative domains I bought in 2008, so I went to check out whether any had gained value over the last couple of years and found a fairly large company occupying the .com of one

The company is based in the US & Israel, it has presumably started in the last couple of years as the whole market is only 2 years old. Registration to them appears to start in June 2009.

Does this make my .co.uk worthless?

The domain isn't a true generic, it is an obvious brandable and one of a few I took in the same market.

doodlebug · May 24, 2010

Would need more info mate, if you mean a trademark then if you regged before they traded then that's their problem and you can keep your domain but if they traded with that name before you regged it then you're probably screwed mate :-o

binny · May 24, 2010

Looks like they started in late 2009 with $16m backing from some big hitters and now have a PR4 website on the .com, which is a tad annoying

RSK3000 · May 24, 2010

I'm not a lawyer but..........

1.) Check if they have a TM in the UK and if so what is it for.

2.) If there is no UK TM that could be good news

3.) You may be safe if the website on the .co.uk is established in a completely different niche. Then there could be no accusations of 'passing off'.

But as I say I'm no lawyer, and for £3.00 reg fee it might be better to let the name drop.

Also, potential danger in parking this domain if the parking ads show ads for this other firm.

fish · May 24, 2010

binny said:
I just got a renewal note for a batch of speculative domains I bought in 2008, so I went to check out whether any had gained value over the last couple of years and found a fairly large company occupying the .com of one

The company is based in the US & Israel, it has presumably started in the last couple of years as the whole market is only 2 years old. Registration to them appears to start in June 2009.

Does this make my .co.uk worthless?

The domain isn't a true generic, it is an obvious brandable and one of a few I took in the same market.

Sometimes they don't care about the .co.uk.

I have been working exclusively in the internet/computer/cyber/ security field working with many the well (& lessor) known vendors for a good many years. A few times I have come across a .co.uk of a global security vendors' domain name that has been owned by another entity and is about to drop (and they did drop only to be regged by a n other).

My contacts at said firms range from heads of marketing to key personel who are the public face of the company. Each time I have highlighted that they can get the domain for themselves they have not been bothered with it.

Go figure.

I am not suggesting that your case is at all similar however if they are a 'relatively new startup' & recently funded then it may be a simple (but shocking) case of them not being diligent or event aware of the value of a domain name (in terms of IP and click dilution).

What sector are they in?

If you had the domain b4 them (& their trademark registration date) then good on you but don't park it.

doodlebug · May 24, 2010

RSK3000 said:
I'm not a lawyer but..........

1.) Check if they have a TM in the UK and if so what is it for.

2.) If there is no UK TM that could be good news

3.) You may be safe if the website on the .co.uk is established in a completely different niche. Then there could be no accusations of 'passing off'.

But as I say I'm no lawyer, and for £3.00 reg fee it might be better to let the name drop.

Also, potential danger in parking this domain if the parking ads show ads for this other firm.