Trademark an Email address?

[texidriver]

This was sent to me and not to Google who obviously own "@gmail.com"

"Since becoming aware of the use of the name [email protected], as the owner of the United States Patent and Trademark Office protected mark “?????????”, we require the following:

Identification as to who currently has proprietary rights to the [email protected] address under GMail’s Terms of Service.

Confirmation of the discontinuance of such address by above party, and the transfer of the account rights to ?????????, LLC.

Failure to comply with the above steps will result in suit to protect the integrity of the mark “?????????”."


Gmail's TOS says;

"Prohibited Actions
.............. users may not:
Sell, trade, resell .........or transfer any Gmail account"

Is this just a bluff?

 

[retired_member27]

Contact Gmail and see what they say.

 

[netserve]

I suppose it depends on what you're using the email address for.

ie if you've got the address [email protected] and you're using it on a web site selling soft drinks then they could claim TM infringement, otherwise I doubt they'd have a leg to stand on.