9 {{ upvoteCount | shortNum }}
9 {{ upvoteCount | shortNum }}

Amazon as a sub domain?

by simonj007
8 replies
Hi,

Is it fine to use Amazon or any other brand for that matter as a sub domain?

Thanks!
#amazon #domain
  • Profile picture of the author warcher
    Hi ...

    I don't know about all of them, but doubt that many of them would mind if your subdomain is clearly in their interest, with nothing unethical or misleading, etc. A while back I set some up with the name of some popular software as my subdomain title, without even asking, and have never had any problem.

    Of course if you want to be cautious, you could send them a message, perhaps with a copy of your proposed content.

    Amazon is such a big-time one, I'll be they have this subject covered in their affiliate program terms of service. So would some others, presumably. I'd bet some others would be touchy about it. I wouldn't dare use 'Walt Disney,' for example, as they're well-known to be extremely possessive about their brand names, like Mickey Mouse.

    I know this isn't a definitive answer, but maybe will help a little bit.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[456677].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Miguel Oliveira
    Even with Walt Disney, I think it would depend on what you did with the subdomain. If you had waltdisney as a subdomain of a movie review website where you reviewed Disney movies, I don't think there would be a problem - as long as you are not claiming to represent them, using their brand for completely unrelated purposes, flaming them or using their products/brand to make product in illegal ways, I think there is no problem. But I'm not a lawyer
    Signature
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[456692].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author businessmentor
      Originally Posted by Miguel Oliveira View Post

      Even with Walt Disney, I think it would depend on what you did with the subdomain. If you had waltdisney as a subdomain of a movie review website where you reviewed Disney movies, I don't think there would be a problem - as long as you are not claiming to represent them, using their brand for completely unrelated purposes, flaming them or using their products/brand to make product in illegal ways, I think there is no problem. But I'm not a lawyer
      They can take action against a sub domain only like other unrelated domains - if you have copyrighted material, or if you are defaming them through slander/libel.
      They cannot take action solely because your sub domain has their trademarked name in it.

      If it is the main domain, it is different. They can file a complaint, and WIPO will ask you to transfer the domain to them (and pay legal costs, in some cases).
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[456706].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author businessmentor
    Sub domains are fine. They cannot take action against it.
    If you use the name as part of your main URL (like amazonianproducts .com), it is going to be a problem.

    If it is amazon.myproducts .com, or myproducts. com/amazon.htm, it is alright.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[456698].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author warcher
    I forgot to mention ... another way to check is to simply do an internet search for 'Amazon' or whatever your term is, & see if other people are using it. Searching for 'Amazon,' incidentally, I didn't see anyone using it as a subdomain within the first few pages of Google search results, but there were quite a few using it as a page title, which would be much the same thing.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[456759].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author roddaut
    I'm pretty sure using "Amazon" in your url's is against Amazon Associates policies but I could be wrong. I'd check but the damn document is so long. If it's against their policies they could take away any affiliate commissions you earned and even kick you out of the program.

    Rodney
    Signature

    Rodney Daut
    http://www.sat-essay.net

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[623170].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author Thamisgith
      As long as you're not an Amazon associate and aren't intending to use your "Amazon subdomain" as a sales vehicle to sell products on Amazon I guess you can do pretty much as you wish.

      If, on the other hand, you are looking to sell Amazon products then I think the following clause - taken from their associate agreement - is pretty clear:

      [You may not ....]

      "... include "amazon" or other trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates, or variations or misspellings thereof in any of their domain names, and in particular those including such trademarks or names in the left part of the top level domain name in the URL (e.g. denominations such as "amazon.mydomain.co.uk" or "amaozn.co.uk" or "amazonauctions.net") shall be unsuitable. "
      You might get away with a subfolder www.mydomain.com/amazon - but, IMO, if you're an associate, then the risk of losing your account would outweigh any perceived benefit to begained by using such a technique. Use of "Amazon" is one of the ones they tend to be very touchy about.

      Other brand names would need to be checked on a case by case basis.
      Signature

      Best Regards,

      Hamish

      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[623361].message }}
      • Profile picture of the author ripsnorta2
        It's Lawyer Time!

        Honestly, I think you're playing with fire if you are playing with someone else's trademark in the same or similar domain.

        It's fine if you have a site about that ancient Greek warrior chicks that cut off one breast so that it wouldn't interfere with their bow aim. But if it's about selling products online, Amazon could have their lawyers over you faster than an Amazon arrow could hit its target.

        But I, and it seems none of the other posters so far, am not a lawyer and not qualified to give advice of this type. If you want to mess with trademarks, see one first.
        Signature

        Cheers, John

        Codeboss -- Useful Software Tailored For Your Business

        {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[623397].message }}

Trending Topics