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Will this domain give trouble?

by NMP
12 replies
Assume I had the domain amazonreviews.tld that was reviewing
a lot of products for Amazon. Would I be in legal trouble using the
name Amazon? I mean Amazon is a widely used word. And with using
review I really say I review them, not that I am the company.

This domain is registered. But if I use amazon with other words
would that be trouble?

Daniel
#domain #give #trouble
  • Profile picture of the author butters
    The replies take 10 chars answer = yep, it isn't worth the risk.
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    • Profile picture of the author lonicera
      well I am not sure, but there are many IM products that have "Google" or "clickbank" in their name and it seems that there are no problems about it.
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      • Profile picture of the author VegasGreg
        Originally Posted by lonicera View Post

        well I am not sure, but there are many IM products that have "Google" or "clickbank" in their name and it seems that there are no problems about it.
        Maybe you haven't seen the headlines lately of all the lawsuits Google has won against people using their name.:confused:
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      • Profile picture of the author davezan
        Originally Posted by lonicera View Post

        well I am not sure, but there are many IM products that have "Google" or "clickbank" in their name and it seems that there are no problems about it.
        Don't necessarily assume that. If I drive within limits of a 65kph highway while
        others go ahead of me, will their behavior tell you if something's legal or not?

        Incidentally someone asked a similar question in another thread:

        http://www.warriorforum.com/main-int...defy-them.html

        The domain name in that thread has been transferred to Amazon since then.
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        David

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  • Profile picture of the author JennSpencerIM
    never use a trademarked name...did you see the article where Apple just came and confiscated a number of domains with their trademarks in them? big nightmare. i'd steer clear of any trademarked or copyrighted names. it was years after this guy had purchased the domains but they still came and took them and left him without any...even compensation.
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    • Profile picture of the author Dan C. Rinnert
      If you are using it to promote products from Amazon.com, it will likely pose a problem for you. You can ask, as others have suggested, but I doubt they allow it as most merchants are very careful about avoiding any situation where it implies they endorse a specific site or service, or where your use of their mark may be harmful to them.

      On the other hand, if you are using the domain to promote travel cruises along the Amazon River, you'll probably be okay.
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      • Profile picture of the author NMP
        Thanks, is not worth spend days and nights
        market if at one point it become popular with
        a lawsuit bonus ;-)

        Daniel
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  • Profile picture of the author Troy Trump
    I know a person who received a cease and desist letter from ebay when he registered a domain with the word ebay in it. So yes you would definitely be taking a risk.
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  • Profile picture of the author Goatboy
    My thought is that yes you would. When you use the word amazon in your domain name, you aren't using is as just a word, but rather to refer to Amazon the company.

    If your site was about the rain forest in South America you could use amazon and probably never have a problem. But, when your site is about the products on Amazon the company's webstore, then it is a different matter.
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  • Profile picture of the author VegasGreg
    Amazon is somewhat of a common word, but it is also the name of a large company. If you use it as described, reviewing that large company, you will find yourself in hot water.

    If you used the domain as maybe a review of the Amazon River / Amazon Rain Forest and the related herbal products that come from there or vacation tips for visiting there, then you would be ok.

    But when you use a name about someone elses name, you are in the wrong.
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  • Profile picture of the author jasonboom
    When the kindle first came on the market, I bought a domain with kindle in the URL along with many other bloggers. Eventually the cease and desist letters rolled in, as Amazon flexed their trademark muscles. They will come after you, if you get popular enough, so why take the risk?
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  • Profile picture of the author Dennis Gaskill
    What others have said is true, if used in reference to Amazon.com it could spell trouble; if used in reference to the rain forest, river, greek mythology, etc. then you'd be safe.

    Why not just write or call them and ask permission to do what you want to do? If they give their blessing you move forward with a clear conscience and sense of security. If they don't, you are most likely sparing yourself problems later on.
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