Legal domain name?

information promoting competing products

[shim007]

hello all,

there is a website and product named 'cocacola.' i would like the have a domain named 'notcocacola' or 'anticocacola' or 'notacocacola' which would feature information promoting competing products.

is it legal to use 'cocacola' in the domain name?

btw, 'cocacola' is JUST AN EXAMPLE.

thanks in advance

[Jenstar]

Welcome to WebmasterWorld [webmasterworld.com], shim007!

If the name is trademarked, you could be asking for trouble.

Here is another thread that deals with the same idea [webmasterworld.com] - using a brand name, with another word added to it, to make it different.

[peewhy]

I am working for a client who sells coffee, during my research I discovered an anti-website relating to a famous worldwide chain of coffee shops. Ihate****bucks.com.

Working on the logic that they are aware of this, I'm pretty sure that their legal eagles would have managed to put an injunction on it... should it be breaking the law.

[Jenstar]

The anti variety of websites are generally protected by free speech. It is a different ballgame when you are using a trademarked brand name for a business site for profit, which is likely what shim007 would be doing if he is promoting the competor's products at the same time.

Creating an anti site with information on that product or company is one thing. But when he is promoting pepsi on his anti-cocacola site and using the cocacola brand name in his domain name, then he could be in trouble with cocacola's legal eagles, and I would expect he would be on the receiving end of a cease and desist letter pretty quick.

[shim007]

thanks a lot. i was throwing around a few ideas and came up with my original post.

i will throw that idea out. i'm already learning so much from you all.

[peewhy]

I'd go for sue-shim007.com :)