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Blogger Subdomains - Product Name

by jb3715
13 replies
I've got a quick question, I know Blogger isn't the ideal thing for affiliate sites, but I'm considering using it for spun articles/reviews and linking it back to my main site.

Can you use a brand name in the sub domain? Like sonyXYZ.blogspot.com?

I've seen several people doing this with Amazon review sites for a particular model of TV, camera, etc.

I know using a trademarked/product name when registering a domain is frowned upon (it could lead to issues) but what about sub domains?

Thanks
#blogger #product #subdomains
  • Profile picture of the author SUPER Louie
    What issues are you referring to? Why use blogspot when you can use the brand itself as a domain name? like sonyxyz.com, you have the rights to the domain because you will pay for it anyway, I don't why they would go after you.

    First of all, you're selling their product, they benefit from what you do for them.
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    • Profile picture of the author jb3715
      Well I was thinking of using Blogspot for the side sites as this will have my keywords in the domain, get indexed quick as well as it being free.

      The issues I'm referring to are trademark infringement and them taking the site down and suing me.
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    • Profile picture of the author Domainate
      Originally Posted by Louie Sioco View Post

      What issues are you referring to? Why use blogspot when you can use the brand itself as a domain name? like sonyxyz.com, you have the rights to the domain because you will pay for it anyway, I don't why they would go after you.

      First of all, you're selling their product, they benefit from what you do for them.
      Atari just started going after fan sites that have been around for a decade. You can't assume ANY domain with someone else's existing brand in it is safe.
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    • Profile picture of the author fitz10
      Originally Posted by Louie Sioco View Post

      What issues are you referring to? Why use blogspot when you can use the brand itself as a domain name? like sonyxyz.com, you have the rights to the domain because you will pay for it anyway, I don't why they would go after you.

      First of all, you're selling their product, they benefit from what you do for them.
      It really doesn't matter whether you're using term to make them money or not. If someone else owns a copyright or TM you can't use it. I've heard stories of people who not only had their domain taken down by the company, but also had to forfeit any money they'd made from using the domain.
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    • Profile picture of the author BloggingPro
      Originally Posted by Louie Sioco View Post

      What issues are you referring to? Why use blogspot when you can use the brand itself as a domain name? like sonyxyz.com, you have the rights to the domain because you will pay for it anyway, I don't why they would go after you.

      First of all, you're selling their product, they benefit from what you do for them.
      This is the WORST advice ever. DO NOT do this.

      Again... DO NOT do this. Should I say it again?

      Just because you CAN buy a domain name, doesn't mean you should.

      If the term is trademarked you better believe someday someone is gonna send you a cease or desist letter. It may not happen for a very long time. It could be several years before some young buck looking to make waves in the legal division causes the company to notice your site and the trademark infringement taking place.

      You can't get away with it using a normal domain registrar, and you definitely won't get away with it using a blogger blog. Ever hear those DUI public service announcements?

      "You will be found... You will be caught."

      Think of it that way, and its not really such a good idea anymore
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  • Profile picture of the author spa3212
    fitz10 totally agree with you, copyright issues are there if the any portion of a domain say the "sony" is copyrighted or a tradmark, you may have to face problems using these words for your domain.
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  • Profile picture of the author jezbiz
    how about adding the word review or info after it? like sonyxyvreview.com? still not good?
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    • Profile picture of the author Alexa Smith
      Banned
      Originally Posted by jezbiz View Post

      sonyxyvreview.com? still not good?
      Correct. Still not good.

      Originally Posted by Louie Sioco View Post

      you have the rights to the domain because you will pay for it anyway, I don't why they would go after you.
      If I explain to you why they might go after you, are you willing to read the explanation, Louie, and stop giving people this dangerously bad advice in future?

      It's because owning a registered trademark confers obligations as well as rights: if breaches of your trademark are brought to your attention and you choose to take no action over them, then that can be held against you when you apply to renew your trademark, and you can lose it. Companies' enforcement policies do still vary, but some companies have a policy of always taking action, without reference to the motivation underlying the breach of their trademark.

      Originally Posted by Louie Sioco View Post

      First of all, you're selling their product, they benefit from what you do for them.
      Do you see now why that isn't relevant, however logical it seems, and however much you'd like it to be relevant, and however much you feel it would be relevant to you in those circumstances; and that it doesn't stop companies from taking action over this? :confused:

      Don't       imagine that just because you're an affiliate/promoter selling their stuff, that that's going to stop them from taking the domain from you, taking any money you've ever made by having it, or even suing you.
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      • Profile picture of the author jb3715
        Thanks everyone, I didn't get a chance to get online last night.

        I'm just going to avoid it even on Blogger, not worth the possible headache. Was just hoping to be able to get some solid relevant backlinks that way.
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        • Profile picture of the author fitz10
          Originally Posted by jb3715 View Post

          Thanks everyone, I didn't get a chance to get online last night.

          I'm just going to avoid it even on Blogger, not worth the possible headache. Was just hoping to be able to get some solid relevant backlinks that way.
          You could do an address that is strongly associated with the URL but not the same exact thing. If you were selling BRANDNAME (TM) Blue Widgets you could do bluewidgets.blogspot.com as long as Blue Widgets is not copyrighted.
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  • Profile picture of the author smoreyjinza
    Be careful about doing this. I haven't done this on blogger but if it's your own domain companies can shut down your site. You will lose all your hard work. Also this is against Amazon's terms of service.
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  • Profile picture of the author johnmags
    Be careful with using registered brand names. You might end up in some legal issues.
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    • Profile picture of the author Stunata
      I had a friend that used the name POD is his product and got sued by Apple. He had the product out years before the IPOD and did not have the money to defend agains the lawsuit.

      If a big brand name finds you they will step on you. Even if you are in the right.
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