Did someone steal my domain name

19 replies
Ok so I'm obviously not accusing you guys, but could you please let me know if my domain name have been stolen or not.

I registered it from GoDaddy and it isn't even hosted yet

Yet there's a website coming soon message : www.ipad-air-3.com

Please give me your opinions on this

Thanks
#domain #godaddy #hostgator #steal #stolen
  • Profile picture of the author Mark Singletary
    If someone hasn't, then I predict Apple will.

    Mark
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  • Profile picture of the author ulterios
    If your name is the one on the whois record then it hasn't been stolen yet.

    However, seeing the name you are looking at a Trademark violation so you are gambling with a Trademark lawsuit. Apple is very well known for going after people for that. You might get away with it, or you might not. Some people do and some people don't. It's a gamble, one that if I was you I wouldn't be willing to take.
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    • Profile picture of the author applesales32
      Originally Posted by ulterios View Post

      If your name is the one on the whois record then it hasn't been stolen yet.

      However, seeing the name you are looking at a Trademark violation so you are gambling with a Trademark lawsuit. Apple is very well known for going after people for that. You might get away with it, or you might not. Some people do and some people don't. It's a gamble, one that if I was you I wouldn't be willing to take.
      Ok so good news from this thread : probably just a message set by GoDaddy

      Bad news : Apple could sue me . YIKES.

      So, wait, if Apple does decide to sue me, would it be OK to just give away the domain or will they go after my very small bank account, or send me to jail.

      If so then how do I ditch the site. Also does it make a difference that I'm from Europe. Maybe Tim Cook wouldn't bother coming here for the site take over. IDK. The only reason I registered is cause I wanted to make an affiliate site mainly for Apple products (timed for when the new iPad air comes out)

      How serious can the consequences be ?

      Thanks
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      • Profile picture of the author BigFrank
        Banned
        Originally Posted by applesales32 View Post

        How serious can the consequences be ?
        Just leave the domain parked until it expires. You'll never hear another word about it. Tim Cook, Apple and their lawyers all have bigger fish to fry. Trust me on this. :-)

        Cheers. - Frank
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        • Profile picture of the author applesales32
          Originally Posted by BigFrank View Post

          Just leave the domain parked until it expires. You'll never hear another word about it. Tim Cook, Apple and their lawyers all have bigger fish to fry. Trust me on this. :-)

          Cheers. - Frank
          Didn't see this before the last reply. So you're saying that I'll be safe if I let it expire. haha, I already prepared my lawsuit speech. Thanks
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      • Profile picture of the author bizzly
        It is possible to delete the domain and get a refund. If registered less than 5 days ago. Its called grace-delete. Get in touch with your registrar`s customer service and ask to grace-delete the domain. They of course will ask you for a reason. Just say you made an error in the name. They would then delete the domain and refund you the money to your original means of payment or into your account wallet with them. This is only if you registered the name in the last 5 days.

        Now to answer the rest of your questions:

        If Apple come after you, yes you would have to give up the domain.

        No your bank account is safe. They pay for the trouble. Costs averagely $1.5k to bring such cases and the petitioner bears the cost. I think they should make people pay the fees if they are found guilty of cyber squatting.

        Its a civil matter, heard by a tribunal so you dont have to worry about playing mum to some tattooed psycho in prison. The worst that can happen is you are asked to give the domain to Apple and you are reserved a place in the cyber squatter league. Not desirable. Who needs that?

        The reason you gave for registering the domain is the most definitive description of trademark infringement. If you say this at the hearing I can imagine all present ending up with cracked ribs. They would probably manage a straight face, thank you for making their jobs easier and ask you politely to transfer the name to Mr Tim Cook.

        Why not just look for another name? Saves all the worry
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      • Profile picture of the author ulterios
        Originally Posted by applesales32 View Post

        Ok so good news from this thread : probably just a message set by GoDaddy

        Bad news : Apple could sue me . YIKES.

        So, wait, if Apple does decide to sue me, would it be OK to just give away the domain or will they go after my very small bank account, or send me to jail.

        If so then how do I ditch the site. Also does it make a difference that I'm from Europe. Maybe Tim Cook wouldn't bother coming here for the site take over. IDK. The only reason I registered is cause I wanted to make an affiliate site mainly for Apple products (timed for when the new iPad air comes out)

        How serious can the consequences be ?

        Thanks
        They won't catch everyone who violates their Trademark but those who do get caught can have some serious financial problems. It doesn't matter where you live, they can and do go after people from just about everywhere, even Europe! ;:

        The absolute best thing you can do to ensure that you won't have problems is to go and delete the name from your account.

        DO NOT PARK THE DOMAIN !!! This is still considered profiting from their Trademark. Many people have thought that was safe but it IS NOT !

        Profiting from someones Trademark, even in a round about way is STILL a Trademark violation and can cost you.

        Most parked domains will only make a few dollars a year and it's NOT worth the risk. If you don't believe me on this do a good search on the subject and you will find out for yourself what has happened to others.

        I am on many different forum sites and many are about domains. I have been in the domain owning world for a long time and I have come across some real bad horror stories (financial) where people thought it wouldn't happen to them.

        As long as you delete the name you should be fine. As long as you aren't profiting from their Trademark from parking, affiliate, or any other way then everything should be fine.

        Do yourself a favor and Delete the domain, it's not worth the rish to make a couple bucks from parking or from any other method of profiting from Apple's Trademark. Apple can be vicious about their Trademark protection.
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  • Yup, it should say: "Cease and desist coming soon".

    Either way, no one here has access to your domain account to see what exactly you did,
    or didn't do, for you to end up with this notice on a domain that you claim to have bought.
    Normally I would suggest to point it to a hosting account and see what happens, but with this domain name, I personally wouldn't want to own it / use it, unless authorized by Apple to use Ipad air 3 in my domain.
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  • Profile picture of the author joseph7384
    When did you register the name! If you just registered it and it hasn't yet propagated, I believe that is just a page that your registrar puts up to let people know that the website is coming soon.
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  • Apple will be ofter you in no time. If someone has stolen it let them have it.
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  • Profile picture of the author applesales32
    So basically if they sue me could I be my own lawyer and say something like :

    Ahhh ! Yikes, my client/ I messed up. I'll transfer back your domain name and any earnings that came with it. Apple is better than Android and Windows. Would that get me off the hook.
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    • Profile picture of the author BigFrank
      Banned
      Originally Posted by applesales32 View Post

      So basically if they sue me could I be my own lawyer and say something like :

      Ahhh ! Yikes, my client/ I messed up. I'll transfer back your domain name and any earnings that came with it. Apple is better than Android and Windows. Would that get me off the hook.
      No one is going to sue you. Let it drop. Please!

      Cheers. - Frank
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    • Profile picture of the author ulterios
      Originally Posted by applesales32 View Post

      So basically if they sue me could I be my own lawyer and say something like :

      Ahhh ! Yikes, my client/ I messed up. I'll transfer back your domain name and any earnings that came with it. Apple is better than Android and Windows. Would that get me off the hook.
      Sorry, but their lawyers would still have a case. Negligence of the law is NOT allowed in Trademark as with most laws.

      Since you bought the name with the intention of using it for profit it can end badly (financially) for you.
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  • Profile picture of the author Steve B
    Originally Posted by applesales32 View Post

    . . . could you please let me know if my domain name have been stolen or not.

    It's registered to Marco Falcone of Malta.

    Steve
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    • Profile picture of the author applesales32
      Originally Posted by Steve B View Post

      It's registered to Marco Falcone of Malta.

      Steve
      Yep, that's me, thank you for the reassurance. I know I may look like a beginner but that's because I am. I'm still 17 and trying to figure out how websites work. I've done some work on eBay before but eBay, Paypal and shipping fees, eats your profits, and is not really worth the time.
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    • Profile picture of the author BigFrank
      Banned
      Originally Posted by Steve B View Post

      It's registered to Marco Falcone of Malta.

      Steve
      That's too funny. That's my last name as well. :-)

      Cheers. - Frank
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  • Profile picture of the author derekwong28
    Can't you just cancel the domain and get a refund. I believe you can do it with Godaddy within 48 hours or so.
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  • Profile picture of the author Brent Stangel
    I'm still ??
    I'm going to pretend like I didn't see this.

    I suggest you delete that little bit of information and don't mention it again.
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    All The Real Marketers Are Gone. There's Nothing Left But Weak, Sniveling Wanna-Bees!
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    • Profile picture of the author BigFrank
      Banned
      Originally Posted by Brent Stangel View Post

      I'm going to pretend like I didn't see this.

      I suggest you delete that little bit of information and don't mention it again.
      That piece of info went right by me. :-(

      Cheers. - Frank
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