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Acquired a competitor's domain

by retsek
8 replies
  • SEO
    • |
I just acquired a competitor's domain for $20 on Godaddy Auctions. The site is still indexed and I plan on buying some cheap hosting and putting up my own unique content on those indexed pages and republishing them along with links back to my pages. I outrank the domain, but it's much older and has some quality backlinks.

After the whole godaddy process of waiting until auction end, then waiting an additional period until actually getting the domain ...is there anyway the previous owner can reclaim it ? Anybody with experience on this?
#acquired #competitor #domain
  • Profile picture of the author steve m
    Hi

    I'm no expert but if the domain was trademarked I would assume that you would not be able to set up a site as a competitor in the same field. Other then that I cant think of anything else, in which the original owner could reclaim back the domain.

    But like I say i'm no expert on the subject

    Steve
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    ccleaner
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  • Profile picture of the author retsek
    It's not trademarked.
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  • Profile picture of the author davezan
    Originally Posted by retsek View Post

    is there anyway the previous owner can reclaim it ?
    Yes:

    Legal Agreement

    6. GO DADDY EXPIRED DOMAIN NAMES (PREMIER AUCTIONS)

    These Expired Domain Names may be listed on the Site on the date of their expiration, however, no sale will be final until forty-five (45) days after the date of expiration. During the redemption period, as described in the Domain Name Registration Agreement, the original registrant has the right to reclaim the Expired Domain Name.
    If your domain name expired with Go Daddy and someone else bought it, that
    can work in your favor, though. Like anything, it depends on what side of the
    fence one is in.

    Originally Posted by retsek View Post

    It's not trademarked.
    Be aware that registration is not a requirement for a trademark to exist. Look
    up "common law trademark" if you're not aware of that yet, especially if that
    competitor used that term or so to advertise his/her service.

    Maybe s/he inadvertently let it lapse. Who knows?
    Signature

    David

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  • Profile picture of the author retsek
    Yep, I'm past the redemption period. So all should be good.
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    • Profile picture of the author davezan
      Alrightie. Just expect a "love letter" from that competitor, though, if it turns out
      s/he indeed let it expire by accident and wants it back.

      It's one of the common issues I dealt with in my ex-registrar life. Still, good luck
      on your venture.
      Signature

      David

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    • Profile picture of the author seasoned
      Originally Posted by retsek View Post

      Yep, I'm past the redemption period. So all should be good.
      You can't actually use, and it is not even legal to OFFER until AFTER the redemption period, so that SHOULD be a GIVEN! It is basically HELD, GRACE, REDEMPTION, AVAILABLE. After all, until it is past redemption, nobody has any rights. The BEST you should be able to do is "backorder" it on the hopes that they can catch it after redemption.

      Along the lines of what davezan said, if the competitor had an ongoing business using the name, and you bought it, that was in BAD FAITH! This whole thread makes that clear. You KNEW about the business, waited for it to expire, and pounced. And he can use THAT to get it back!

      Steve
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  • Profile picture of the author retsek
    To be clear it was listed right out in the open in Godaddy Auctions. there was no backorder or underhand business. ANYBODY could have bought it and in fact one other did try as I placed the first bid, then there was a second, and then I placed the winning bid.
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  • Profile picture of the author Mikeys
    just be sure that you are avoiding anything that could be coprywright. Its very easy for them to get the domain back if it is.
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