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Cartoon Authority

by momnatl
4 replies
Hi Everyone.

I am currently getting my baby niche blog designed, and should be and running in a few weeks. In the meantime I had a idea for another site, but wasn't sure it was possible. I am thinking of doing an authority site (I think). I am questioning how far it too far in piggy backing off a brand? Here is what I am thinking. Let's say there is a cartoon character out there that kids from two to maybe six love. I'll call him "Mike the turtle". The site would be a hub for parents to go and get anything mike related. I have done some research and find this character has a pretty big following, but no main site where everything is in one place. Some stuff is on amazon, some on toys r us, some on etsy. Would I be at risk of getting a cease and desist if I named the site "Allthingsmike.com" and used an image of the character for the site? How far is too far? Also, what would be a better model for me...trying to wholesale this stuff and take on inventory...or use amazon?
#authority #cartoon
  • Profile picture of the author onSubie
    Originally Posted by momnatl View Post

    Would I be at risk of getting a cease and desist if I named the site "Allthingsmike.com" and used an image of the character for the site? How far is too far? Also, what would be a better model for me...trying to wholesale this stuff and take on inventory...or use amazon?
    If the character name is really "Mike", which is a common generic name, then you would be okay wth allthingsmike. If the chracter name is a trademarked name you would not be able to do this. So allthingsspiderman would not be okay.

    But even if the domain name is generic, if it is used commercially and is tied to the trademark you could be in trouble.

    For example, Dora is a regular name. allthingsdora.com may be fine if it is about your daughter or cat "Dora", but if it is a site making money from "Dora the Explorer" toys and items, then it could be a trademark violation.

    Regardless of the domain name, you cannot use trademarked images.
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    • Profile picture of the author momnatl
      Thank you for clearing that up. So if I do something like "Allthingsgeneric.com" Then not put any of the trademark logos or images on my site I will be fine? The only image would be of the actual cartoon products on amazon. Then I could just push traffic to my site using keywords that incorporate this particular character. Am I getting it right?
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  • Profile picture of the author onSubie
    Yes, as long as the content of the site is not obviously using the confusing domain name to try and associate itself with the trademark.

    You can use trademarks in the content of your site, for example you can write articles, reviews and news about products.

    You can also use images if they are product images for Amazon etc.

    One trick to get trademarked images, like Disney, is to become an affiliate at allposters.com. Then use a poster of the trademarked item for an image and link it (with your affiliate link) back to allposters.com.

    So you get a nice big poster picture of Dumbo the Elephant without a trademark violation and another potential income affilate link as a bonus.
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    • Profile picture of the author momnatl
      Originally Posted by onSubie View Post

      Yes, as long as the content of the site is not obviously using the confusing domain name to try and associate itself with the trademark.

      You can use trademarks in the content of your site, for example you can write articles, reviews and news about products.

      You can also use images if they are product images for Amazon etc.

      One trick to get trademarked images, like Disney, is to become an affiliate at allposters.com. Then use a poster of the trademarked item for an image and link it (with your affiliate link) back to allposters.com.

      So you get a nice big poster picture of Dumbo the Elephant without a trademark violation and another potential income affilate link as a bonus.

      Thank you...you have been a big help
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