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(Trademark ?) Can I register townname411.com?

by TWalker
6 replies
Of course I can register it but can I stay out of trouble?

I've read some of the trademark cases sites but I do not understand completely.

I want a town directory mytown411.com .

Some of you here are more savvy and experienced than me in trademark copyright.

Someone got sued for registering 411.biz WIPO Domain Name Decision: DBIZ2002-00249

Which is an exact match.

And kida funny I ran across: trademarks411.com :confused:

Quick and Easy Trademark Registration Process - Trademarks411

which makes me think obviously I could register my name +411 since they did.

Just checkin in cause I love Warrior opinons.
#register #townname411com #trademark
  • Profile picture of the author David Keith
    i will back up even one step further. can a government or town entity even trademark anything?

    just did a quick google search and it seems that other business have trademarked the name of their company or events (+town name) and to prevent others from selling "fake goods"

    see link

    it should be noted that i am not a lawyer and not qualified to give legal advice.
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    • Profile picture of the author TWalker
      Originally Posted by owslaw123 View Post

      i will back up even one step further. can a government or town entity even trademark anything?

      just did a quick google search and it seems that other business have trademarked the name of their company or events (+town name) and to prevent others from selling "fake goods"

      see link

      it should be noted that i am not a lawyer and not qualified to give legal advice.
      Thats funny....and ridiculous. So according to that I could be sued, not by the town but by 411.

      Now I remember reading trademark had little authority if the product did not resemble or compete with the original product.

      Of course mine does: I want to provide information.

      But the internet is full of 411 URLs and page titles and references etc etc.

      Including trademark411.com

      So my question still stands.

      Edit: http://boston411.com/

      http://www.elpaso411.com/

      http://www.houston411magazine.com/

      1-800-Bing-411

      http://www.four11.com/
      http://www.newyork411.com/
      http://www.411.org

      Remember Goog 411?



      It has to be a generic term right?
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      • Profile picture of the author davezan
        Originally Posted by TWalker View Post

        It has to be a generic term right?
        Only if used in its generic sense. There's lots of examples of generic words there
        like shell, tide, and head and shoulders, yet they're also commercially successful
        in their respective, distinctive fields.

        That UDRP you referenced was during the early days of trying to make sense of
        domain-trademark disputes. Although there's still arguably some 'confusion' on a
        bunch of things, lots of issues have been properly defined and/or resolved since
        then.

        At the very least, make sure the so-called generic term is being used in its really
        generic or descriptive sense. And try to stay clear of those using the same thing
        in a distinctive manner or apart from what it's commonly known for. (e.g. delta
        for airlines, faucets, etc.)

        IANAL. But I've had these things drilled into my thick skull by actual lawyers.
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        David

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  • Profile picture of the author Ouroboros
    A lot of people leasing these pre-made directory sites use townname411 so apparently you can. Frankly, I can't see it being searched for very often though.

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  • Profile picture of the author TWalker
    I'm leaning toward "can do it".

    I'm not looking for an exact match domain. I'm looking for a catchy short domain.

    I'd rather be the owner mytown411.com than mytownbusinessdirectory.com.

    A 3 digit number at the end of town will be a closer match to the general town name search than would the longer business directory name. IMO

    Its not so much for search engines as it is a community directory site which will serve as a "foot in the door" site for other work for local business offline work. Read the jobless dad threads for a better explanation.

    But I'm open to suggestions:

    I havnt made up my mind yet.
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  • Profile picture of the author Alexa Smith
    Banned
    Originally Posted by TWalker View Post

    I've read some of the trademark cases sites but I do not understand completely.
    Nobody does: lawyers like it that way ... :p :rolleyes:
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