Is it illegal to buy domain names that might infringe copyright?
I would like to know if is it legal to buy certain web domans that include product names, companies or persons. Examples: www.iphonegames.com www.sonycameras.com www.youtubevideos.com www.googleadsensetips.com www.microsoftdrivers.com www.angelinajoliefan.com www.cristiano-ronaldo.com www.microsoftsucks.com www.paypalsucks.com FBISecrets.com CIASecretscom FBI-Usa.com What about the websites that are based on typos like: www.youtoube.com , www.yaho.com , www.panasoanic.com, www.disneysland.com and so on? How do I know if I am allowed to create a domain that contains CIA, FBI, KGB, Iphone, Apple, MAC and other names in it? Response to markysparky: I do not want to trademark other names, like in the case you presented! When that person trademarked 21 century fox, it wasn't used by any company. I am talking about using names that are already trademarked, like Iphone, Apple, Coca-Cola, FBI, CIA... So could i make a website apple-store.com, drinkCoca-Cola.com, FBIrulz.com and others?
Public Comments
- No,it is not illegal. A person copyrighted 21st century fox and made a fortune selling it back to them. Their copyright was only for 20th century fox. If a domain name is taken,you will not be allowed to get it in the first place.
- From a "criminal law" standpoint, it might be perfectly legal. However, if a company feels that your use of their name /trademark or a version of it does them harm, they may just take you to court and seek damages. I do like the paypalsucks.com idea though!
- It's not a matter of copyright; it's a matter of trademark. If a name CONTAINS a trademark, you probably shouldn't register it. If you registered www.microsoftsucks.com, Microsoft would most likely sue you for release of the domain, and they would most likely win. Typos are in a gray area, and it may depend on exactly what you register and how you use it. www.disneysland.com wouldn't work because I believe "disney" alone is a trademark. You MIGHT get away with www.dissneyland.com, but some cases have successfully been brought against names that were intentionally used to cause confusion for unethical purposes (like phishing sites). There are trademark violations as well as "likeness" violations.
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