can 'they' force me to relinquish a domain name?

[Jzero]

I think you are pretty much screwed.

 

[rnmcd]

Heck, the email is probably just spam sent to every domain in hopes that the registrant will transfer it to them for $7.

Wasn't/isn't there a site like bestbuysux or bestbuysucks, that I doubt is ran by Best Buy.

 

[LordNoob]

See the anti-cybersquatting consumer protection act. They can definitely do that and they will win.

 

[JoPh]

get sued. write about it on the internet........profit

 

[Billzie7718]

Originally posted by: rnmcd
Heck, the email is probably just spam sent to every domain in hopes that the registrant will transfer it to them for $7.

Wasn't/isn't there a site like bestbuysux or bestbuysucks, that I doubt is ran by Best Buy.

The thing that will make it sound like squatting is that you are actually making money right now, solely (presumably because you have NO site right now) from the name recognition. I don't know if they can force you, but if they make it worth your while I am sure it would be better to sell it.

 

[Sundog]

Originally posted by: kranky

Originally posted by: RyanSengara

Originally posted by: PlatinumGold
yes, i believe they can.

No they can't. Someone owned madonna.com before madonna did and she ended up paying out the ass for it.

The difference is that madonna isn't a trademarked name. Chevrolet is.

Not true! Madonna is a very trademarked name.

Link #1 U.S. Patent and Trademark Office

Link #2 69 records found - USP&T Office

 

[Baked]

Yup, you're making a profit and squatting using a registered name. You're going to FMITA prison.

 

[Crono]

They can't make you relinquish it. Domain names don't apply to copyright rules, otherwise that guy who owned whitehouse.com would have been forced to give it up (he voluntary gave it up because of other reasons). I bet you could sell to them for a pretty penny, though.

 

[JoPh]

with visits?

 

[rnmcd]

Originally posted by: JoPh
with visits?

yes, and click throughs.

 

[hevnsnt]

What is the domain name?

 

[Sundog]

Originally posted by: Crono
Domain names don't apply to copyright rules, otherwise that guy who owned whitehouse.com would have been forced to give it up (he voluntary gave it up because of other reasons).

Word Mark WWW.MADDONA.COM
Goods and Services (ABANDONED) IC 042. US 100 101. G & S: Registration of domomain names for identification of the users on a global Computer network
Mark Drawing Code (1) TYPED DRAWING
Serial Number 75847184
Filing Date November 12, 1999
Current Filing Basis 1B
Original Filing Basis 1B
Owner (APPLICANT) Yomtobian, Saeid INDIVIDUAL IRAN P.O. Box 260920 Encino CALIFORNIA 91426
Attorney of Record ROBERT L RISLEY
Type of Mark SERVICE MARK
Register PRINCIPAL
Live/Dead Indicator DEAD
Abandonment Date February 3, 2002




Lots more listed here--->Link***********

 

[rnmcd]

Originally posted by: hevnsnt
What is the domain name?

I'll tell you as soon as I either let them have the domain name or I'm in prison.

Maybe I'll just turn over the $1.43 I've made from the site in the last 4 weeks then put pictures of my kitty cat, "chevrolet" on the site.

 

[Crono]

Originally posted by: Sundog

Originally posted by: Crono
Domain names don't apply to copyright rules, otherwise that guy who owned whitehouse.com would have been forced to give it up (he voluntary gave it up because of other reasons).

Word Mark WWW.MADDONA.COM
Goods and Services (ABANDONED) IC 042. US 100 101. G & S: Registration of domomain names for identification of the users on a global Computer network
Mark Drawing Code (1) TYPED DRAWING
Serial Number 75847184
Filing Date November 12, 1999
Current Filing Basis 1B
Original Filing Basis 1B
Owner (APPLICANT) Yomtobian, Saeid INDIVIDUAL IRAN P.O. Box 260920 Encino CALIFORNIA 91426
Attorney of Record ROBERT L RISLEY
Type of Mark SERVICE MARK
Register PRINCIPAL
Live/Dead Indicator DEAD
Abandonment Date February 3, 2002

Ok, I guess I was proved wrong.

 

[aidanjm]

wouldn't a lawyer be a better source of advice that atot?

 

[rh71]

Originally posted by: JoPh
get sued. write about it on the internet........profit

hah how true. I remember the dude who got sued by M$ (?) and he ebayed the letter for lots of $$$$.

 

[Specop 007]

Ask them if they can afford those attorney fees what with all the health care costs they have

 

[jagec]

Originally posted by: rnmcd

Originally posted by: Zee
if you are squatting, then yes they can.

What do they consider 'squatting' the domain was/is not for sale. I actually intend to use it to discuss 'chevy' cars (or some other make ).

well then you should HAVE used it to discuss chevy cars...not just get "click-through revenue". Really, it's worth the $1.43 not to get sued.

 

[rnmcd]

Originally posted by: rnmcd
Heck, the email is probably just spam sent to every domain in hopes that the registrant will transfer it to them for $7.

Wasn't/isn't there a site like bestbuysux or bestbuysucks, that I doubt is ran by Best Buy.

I'm starting to think I was just about pwned by the party that sent me the email.

How would they track me down since I have a whoisguard on the domain?

 

[AgaBoogaBoo]

Ask them to buy it from you

 

[Mo0o]

Ask these guys:

http://www.nissan.com/

 

[TitanDiddly]

See:

msi.com
paypalsucks.com

 

[Malak]

Originally posted by: Mo0o
Ask these guys:

http://www.nissan.com/

Wow, that convinced me to never purchase a Nissan. What a ridiculous lawsuit.

 

[wischeez]

Check out this link for info.......This Link

 

[Malak]

Can the courts decide what is "famous"? Seems like it'd be pretty presumptuous of them to think everyone knows who someone is. For instance, MSI. Sure in the company of hardware geeks you'd know who they are, but not everyone is a hardware geek, which is why MSI.com doesn't link you to their website. Should MSI have the right to sue? Absolutely not, even if it is confusing to hardware geeks. That's not Accelrys Inc.'s fault.