Should I develop a domain related to a forthcoming game?

[gazraa]

I registered a domain a few weeks ago after hearing about a game that is due to be released later this year.

The domain is completesaga.com and the game is LEGO Star Wars: The Complete Saga

I was thinking about putting a forum up on it as the game has a good following from the previous releases, but am unsure if the domain is a little too close to getting into trademark/legal issues?

What do you think?

edit: hope this is the right forum for this question

 

[woopwoop]

http://www.nominet.org.uk - will have a section on legal stuff etc.

But from my time reading other posts about this kind of stuff a few things are important.

They would look at and try to understand if it an abusive registration. Issues being did you buy it to profit out of somebody else's trademark or are you infringing on their mark because of your use even though you may not be profiting?

If they saw this thread and wanted the domain back they could probably use it against you... because you've said you bought the name after hearing about the game coming out - I may be wrong about this stuff, so u should check with an expert... (which of course costs, and you- like me- would never pay unless it's a massive project!)

If you bought the name independent of Lego, and wanted to use it for something completely different, then there'd be no issue at all.

Even though you know about Lego, and you may put forums about lego or the game on there etc., you might still be ok if it's like a fan site which is not for profit. Which means no google adsense or other paid adverts - or in the worst case they can use it against you :twisted:

I guess that you'd have to weigh up how much you would want a not for profit site, plus if there is the demand for this future game, plus the risk of Lego getting upset and taking action.

There is more on Nominet's site about DRS plus if you read through the this forum there are case studies that pop up on decisions that have gone for and against the domain holder - and the reasons of the 'experts' are outlined!

Good luck and legal mumbo jumbo - I'm not an expert... seek advice... blah...

 

[gazraa]

thanks woopwoop

profit would be on the 'wants' list so I better seek some more advice. From my initial searches, there isn't a great deal of competition, and the lucasarts web site has a forum, although it's not a great one.

I'll have a look through the forum to see what other info I can gain... I'm still tempted to go ahead with it though.... I'll have to see what scary stories I can find to change my mind.