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Amazon and domain questions

by K Kumar
11 replies
Hello,

I would like to promote a physical book on amazon. If for example the book was called "100 ways to be awesome", could I use the title of the book in a domain?

So for example am I allowed to make a site with this domain:

100waystobeawesome.net (because .com will be already taken)

I checked if there were any copy writes and it appears their is one on the book. So does this mean I could get into trouble making such a site?
#amazon #domain #questions
  • Profile picture of the author Bingo123
    I've heard mixed reviews about using brand name/trademarks in the url, and basically it sounds like a bad idea. In your case though it could be pretty open as you are not using a hallmark name like 'Nike' or 'Reebok', you're using a phrase that includes normal words found in the dictionary and could also be used as normal keywords by lots of other people. It's a tough call. You could leave the '100' part out as to avoid any problems, and just go after 'ways to be awesome'.
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    • Profile picture of the author K Kumar
      Originally Posted by Bingo123 View Post

      You could leave the '100' part out as to avoid any problems, and just go after 'ways to be awesome'.
      Yeah, I may just do that to avoid problems. I've heard of companies calling people, am wondering if this would happen to me

      Any more input from others would be...awesome
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    • Profile picture of the author JohnMcCabe
      My [layman's] opinion is that you're in kind of a gray area. Book titles are not copyrighted, and generally not trademarked. On the other hand, you are piggy-backing on the name of the product to promote the product.

      If you decide to go this route, you might want to go out of your way to point out that you are not the actual author or publisher, and that your site is based on the book even if you have no actual connection to the author or publisher.

      Since you are promoting the book, that might be enough to cover your butt.

      If you want a definitive answer, though, ask Amazon and the book's publisher...

      Edit:

      You posted your second question while I was typing the answer above...

      I'd go with the .net that actually matches the title. Dropping the plural means you're counting on typos or being 'close enough'...
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  • Profile picture of the author Always-A-Warrior
    I could see if you own the book or the rights to it but if not then why register something that will only give you a few bucks. Get something like TopBooks, BestBooks or AllBooks ... something more broad so you can add to your product list.
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    • Profile picture of the author K Kumar
      Originally Posted by Always-A-Warrior View Post

      I could see if you own the book or the rights to it but if not then why register something that will only give you a few bucks. Get something like TopBooks, BestBooks or AllBooks ... something more broad so you can add to your product list.

      Just curious, why do you think it would only make a few bucks?
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  • Profile picture of the author webapex
    Not sure that someone searching for the exact title needs to stop at an intermediate site on the way to a store.
    Setting up a site about inspirational/self help material would catch people searching the subject but with no title in mind yet, and allows a number of products to be sold, you could change up the products as you discover what sells and which affiliates are most profitable.

    If this were a clickbank title, you would be looking at a 50%+ commission, while Amazon pays. what 4%.
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  • Profile picture of the author PhoebeSmellyCat
    Originally Posted by Superman1 View Post

    Hello,

    I would like to promote a physical book on amazon. If for example the book was called "100 ways to be awesome", could I use the title of the book in a domain?

    So for example am I allowed to make a site with this domain:

    100waystobeawesome.net (because .com will be already taken)

    I checked if there were any copy writes and it appears their is one on the book. So does this mean I could get into trouble making such a site?
    I'm not an attorney but I think copyright laws do not apply to titles.

    That said, why would you want to spend the time and money on one title?
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  • Profile picture of the author Chris Thompson
    Do some competition research on the keyword ... because you may not NEED an exact match domain to rank well. Yeah, it helps, but a copyrighted phrase will get you in trouble (risks you losing the domain at minimum).

    See if you can rank for it using a domain such as awesomebook.com instead. Something that is a part of the name but not the whole name. Something not copyrighted, something that helps your SEO without putting the site at risk.
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    • Profile picture of the author K Kumar
      Thanks for that Chris.

      Another q: Can you use people's names in domain names, like the authors name? Do you see any problems in doing this?
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  • Profile picture of the author Sparhawke
    No you can't.

    Buying a generic domain to review books is one thing, taking the title of a book that should rightfully belong to the author or the publishing house is another.

    Books.com would be fine.

    CookingBooks.com would also be fine.

    GordonRamsayBooks.com may have the wrath of the bad tempered one come down on you hard.

    A name is defined as a trademark, taking someones name in order to profit is a bad idea...
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    • Profile picture of the author Jay B
      Hey Superman,

      Another strategy would be to find a related keyword with a decent amount of monthly searches, i.e. "Tips on being awesome" or "Awesomeness strategies" or "How to become more awesome", and use that as your domain name. Or even find a keyword with a ton of searches and add the word "book" after it.

      For example, I just did a dedicated "book review" site for a client of mine. The title of the book is "Real Estate is Local", and the domain name is http://localrealestatebook.com/ ...I think this will give me a chance at getting some love from Google.

      Awesome question BTW )

      Jay
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