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Brand name in URL?

by fdsag
17 replies
Hi

I've been thinking about setting up a website offering reviews of products and then using affiliate links to amazon. But I'm wondering about the legal rights to use a brand name in my URL. From what I understand it is not allowed to have a brand name in the domain name, for example brandnameexample.com. But what about somethingreviews.com/brandnameexample ? Would that be ok, or is it still illegal ?

It would be pretty difficult to come up with another name that is relevant. For example if the site is about reviewing cars, and you're doing a review on ferraris, then what else could you use to describe it, if not their brand name ? Or would it be allowed to use the model name instead ?

Thanks
#brand #url
  • Profile picture of the author ScoTech
    You're on the right track. Just don't register a domain name with a trademark in it. As far as post names or subfolders, you should be fine.
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    • Profile picture of the author fdsag
      Ok, Thank you!

      So it is allowed for one of my sub-sites or pages to contain the brand name within it's URL, as long as it is not shown in the domain name ?
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  • Profile picture of the author Sheryl Polomka
    Definitely don't use it in your domain - there are a thousand threads here on the forum about using Trademark names.

    As far as I'm aware you can have it in your sub-domain, but I'm not 100% certain on that.
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    • Profile picture of the author Kay King
      So it is allowed for one of my sub-sites or pages to contain the brand name within it's URL, as long as it is not shown in the domain name ?
      No guarantee of that either. Brand name in a url is definitely no-no - pages on the file (file names) are often ok. I've run into a couple companies that do not want their product name used no matter what.

      However, for a sub-file it's easy to remove if requested and won't take down the entire site.
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      • Profile picture of the author magnates
        You can give a general broad name then have a top recommendation review
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        • Profile picture of the author fdsag
          Ok, I'll stay away from using their brand name in my URL overall then.

          Hmm, the niche I'm targeting is pretty specific, and the broad name that is available will be my domain name. Maybe I can just call the sub-domains /product1, /product2 etc. Or would that be bad for SEO purposes ? :confused:

          Wait.... I can still use the brand name in my text and headings, right ?
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          • Profile picture of the author Kay King
            I can still use the brand name in my text and headings, right ?
            I just answered that - there are no guarantees. Using a brand name in a subdomain may have the same result as using it in a domain name.

            For headings/files/etc - it depends on how strictly the company protects its trademarked name. You are at less risk using the name for a page title - but could still end up having to take it down.
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  • Profile picture of the author talfighel
    I would not use a brand name in your domain name. I think that it is illegal and I suggest that you actually use another name that has nothing to do with any company out there.

    It is better to be safe then sorry.
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  • Profile picture of the author redfieryheart
    The safest thing to do for now is refrain from using the brand name either in main or subdomain URL. But you can use the brand name as part of your reviews in your content. By this, you can also offer other products or brand as part of your reviews and not being stuck with one offer.
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  • Profile picture of the author uJuggle
    Like someone said it here, its easy to delete or remove the sub-site if it poses a risk in the future, but that sure would not be the case in case of a domain name.
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  • Profile picture of the author fdsag
    Thank you all for the help.

    I'll just use the brand name in my review text then. If that isn't legal, then there would be no way for the consumer to know what product I am talking about.
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  • Profile picture of the author Gaz Cooper
    Interesting the concenus is not to use the brand in the domain however when you search for domains with brands in them thousands and thousands are taken and being used.

    Of course the brand owner could come and say Hey STOP or they might just be happy your promoting their brand, I personally would not have a problem with someone promoting my brand as long as they are not pretending to be the brand.

    There are obviously THOUSANDS of domains out there with brands in the domains and its really up to you if you decide to chance it the worst is you lose your domain and the time you have put into it.

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    • Profile picture of the author LooseChange
      Originally Posted by GazCooperOnline View Post

      Interesting the concenus is not to use the brand in the domain however when you search for domains with brands in them thousands and thousands are taken and being used.

      Of course the brand owner could come and say Hey STOP or they might just be happy your promoting their brand, I personally would not have a problem with someone promoting my brand as long as they are not pretending to be the brand.

      There are obviously THOUSANDS of domains out there with brands in the domains and its really up to you if you decide to chance it the worst is you lose your domain and the time you have put into it.
      Exactly what I was going to suggest.

      It's really a grey area because some companies don't mind you using their brand or product name in a domain as long as you're promoting sales of their products and doing nothing to tarnish their brand name.

      Other companies, such as Harley Davidson, are in the backwoods and feel the need to go after anybody they feel is infringing on their territory and registered servie marks.

      Just like musicians/bands who advocate the RIAA (Metallica) while others want their music heard, some feel minor infringement costs them dollars while others believe any promotion they can get brings them dollars.

      If in question, I would check companies listed in eBay's Verified Rights Owner (VeRO) program to see if the company is anal about their brand usage. If they're a VeRO, steer clear.
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  • Profile picture of the author mingshen
    [DELETED]
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    • Profile picture of the author fdsag
      By the way, would there be a problem with having the brand name in my links section on the page ?

      For example if I put a link to my review of the brand to the right of my webpage. Like mountainbikes1 mountainbikes2 etc...
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  • Profile picture of the author ViserExcizer
    first of all, if you can get a domain with a brand name its yours to keep, and if the people from ferrari want it, they can buy it from you. If you claim in the website that you make ferraris, then thats another story
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    • Profile picture of the author Zeus66
      Originally Posted by ViserExcizer View Post

      first of all, if you can get a domain with a brand name its yours to keep, and if the people from ferrari want it, they can buy it from you. If you claim in the website that you make ferraris, then thats another story
      Not true if Ferrari owns the trademark to that brand. They own it and you'll be cybersquatting if you register is as a TLD. Not all brands are trademarked, but if one is and you get a domain name using it, you're wide open to having it taken from you.
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  • Profile picture of the author untreatableonline
    Trademark in your Domain name is asking for trouble but having the trademark or product in your domain name does not cause any problem in my experience. When your dealing with Amazon a ton of people use brand names or exact product name as their title
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