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Is It Ok For Me To Register This Domain Name?

by Pauline60
12 replies
Hi,

Not sure what the rules are on this so thought I better ask advice.

I am promoting the products of a certain company, lets just call it 'Bobs Widgets' and I want to set up a website.

Bob makes other related stuff too, but mainly widgets. His website is Bob.com

When I check Go Daddy I find that Bobswidgets.com is available.

Can I use it or will Bob be after me if I do?

Thanks for any advice.

Pauline.
#domain #register
  • Profile picture of the author sbucciarel
    Banned
    A lot of companys have that right in their affiliate terms that you cannot use their trade name in domains or in advertising or in keywords (Adsense). In addition, it most likely is a trademarked name, so Bob could come after you and take the name away from you. Bob could also ban you from his affiliate program if you've violated his terms and not pay you for any commissions earned.
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  • Profile picture of the author Pauline60
    I realise now that the way I worded my post made it appear that I am an affiliate - I'm not, this company has no affiliate programme. I am promoting it through adsense, Amazon links etc.

    So would it be ok to go for something like 'Bobswidgetsinfo.com' or will I still potentially incur the wrath of Bob?
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    • Profile picture of the author sbucciarel
      Banned
      Originally Posted by Pauline60 View Post

      I realise now that the way I worded my post made it appear that I am an affiliate - I'm not, this company has no affiliate programme. I am promoting it through adsense, Amazon links etc.

      So would it be ok to go for something like 'Bobswidgetsinfo.com' or will I still potentially incur the wrath of Bob?
      If Bob defends his trademark, he will send you a cease and desist and demand that you either delete the domain name or give it to him. If you don't comply, he can get the domain name from you through a proceeding. They can also sue if they want to for damages.
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  • Profile picture of the author Profit-smart
    I would just go with the "theme" of the product ie..

    www.WidgetReviews.com
    www.5starwidgets.com

    etc.

    The affiliate TOS forbid using the trademark simply so you dont challenge them in the Serps.
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  • Profile picture of the author Pauline60
    Hi - thanks for the replies. I should steer well clear of this by the sound of it.

    I can't help wondering why the company hasn't taken the domain name themselves. Oh well, back to Go Daddy to look for an alternative.

    Pauline
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  • Profile picture of the author shaddai
    Wordpress has a page on their site that kind of explains why they don't want you to use the word "wordpress" in a domain name. It might help you understand what's really happening:
    WordPress › About Domains

    Todd
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    • Profile picture of the author andybeveridge
      I made this mistake awhile back. I am now the proud owner of two domains that I cant use. I bought the domains first(DOH!) and then wrote to ebay and amazon. Who confirmed what another warrior had already told me, that it breached their policy for affiliates. The domains are ebaysecrets and amazonsales.
      I guess I could still use the ebaysecrets one as an ebook site.

      Andy Beveridge
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      • Profile picture of the author rosetrees
        Originally Posted by andybeveridge View Post

        I The domains are ebaysecrets and amazonsales.
        I guess I could still use the ebaysecrets one as an ebook site.
        ..... and the Amazon sales one - so long as you were selling South American ethnic products from the Amazon and not books/electrical goods/etc from the rest of the world!
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      • Profile picture of the author CliveG
        Originally Posted by andybeveridge View Post

        I made this mistake awhile back. I am now the proud owner of two domains that I cant use. I bought the domains first(DOH!) and then wrote to ebay and amazon. Who confirmed what another warrior had already told me, that it breached their policy for affiliates. The domains are ebaysecrets and amazonsales.
        I guess I could still use the ebaysecrets one as an ebook site.

        Andy Beveridge
        If you don't feel happy using them you could always sell them. I would have thought that you would get quite a good price for ebaysecrets. Pass the opportunity / problem to someone else.
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      • Profile picture of the author sbucciarel
        Banned
        Originally Posted by andybeveridge View Post

        I made this mistake awhile back. I am now the proud owner of two domains that I cant use. I bought the domains first(DOH!) and then wrote to ebay and amazon. Who confirmed what another warrior had already told me, that it breached their policy for affiliates. The domains are ebaysecrets and amazonsales.
        I guess I could still use the ebaysecrets one as an ebook site.

        Andy Beveridge
        Ebay is notorious for defending it's trademark. If I owned that domain, I would promptly delete it.
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  • Profile picture of the author andybeveridge
    LOL. Thats very good. I would never have thought of that in a million years. Just need to find a good source now.
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    • Profile picture of the author rosetrees
      Just in time for Christmas!
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