.net of a big name

[Native Tongue]

Hi,

I recently registered a .net domain name, but it is the name of a large brand. As far as I see it, I have two choices:

1. Develop a site (unrelated to the brand) like I originally intended
2. Offer the domain to the brand name company.

Would it be a trademark violation to develop a site on this domain? Is it easier to just give them the domain now so I don't have to worry about it in the future?

Any comments greatly appreciated!

 

[Beasty]

Hi,

I recently registered a .net domain name, but it is the name of a large brand. As far as I see it, I have two choices:

1. Develop a site (unrelated to the brand) like I originally intended
2. Offer the domain to the brand name company.

Would it be a trademark violation to develop a site on this domain? Is it easier to just give them the domain now so I don't have to worry about it in the future?

Any comments greatly appreciated!

Option 1 - A lot depends on whether the name has any meaning other than the TM you speak of. e.g. Accenture is a made up word and can only mean one thing; orange is a common word and you may get away with selling fruit but not phones.

Choose option 2 at your own peril! Unless you mean give it to them...

 

[Native Tongue]

Option 1 - A lot depends on whether the name has any meaning other than the TM you speak of. e.g. Accenture is a made up word and can only mean one thing; orange is a common word and you may get away with selling fruit but not phones.

Choose option 2 at your own peril! Unless you mean give it to them...

Well it's a two word combination, the first word is an abbreviation for a longer word. I don't think the TM holder associates their product with the long version, they just use the abbreviated form. When you hear the name you do tend to associate it with the brand though.

Interestingly, the .org, .info and .us are all parked with sponsored links.

Yeah I meant give it to them...is it even worth the hassle of owning it?

EDIT: I just did a bit of searching around, and discovered that the name as used by the brand is actually the name of the founder of the brand. Just thought I'd include this in case it helped.

 

[grandin]

Bugging me beasty

Beasty, one thing has been bugging me....you are a practising legal person with required qualifications therefore fundamental flaws must exist for you to be involved so closely in domainers....some of which you wouldn't even defend

I am sure you could run off now to tony and get a well paid job

Lee