Someone wants me to transfer my domain name to them...

[phillypleez]

I got this email today. I want to see what you guys think:

"I left you a message yesterday by phone after discovering your registration of example.com. We have owned the domain for years, and were perplexed how you were able to register it. We are the definitive trademark and domain owner of ion on the Internet and ask you simply transfer it back to us. We can only guess what your intended use of it would be, however, we will protect our rights. I can understand if you may not have been aware of our company, and we may be willing to discuss a future relationship, but you would be ill advised to use the domain or start a site with the term "ion" in it without our consent."

I guess he's claiming that he owns every domain name that includes the term "example".

[edited by: Brett_Tabke at 5:32 pm (utc) on May 13, 2004]

[edited by: phillypleez at 5:45 pm (utc) on May 13, 2004]

[drbrain]

If they were really serious, they would have sent you something like a cease-and-desist letter via certified mail. Did you research their company at all?

[ogletree]

How long have you had it? Also you need to take out the specifics on your post that is not allowed here. You can express your problem without mentioning the domain name.

[Dynamoo]

I checked the history of that domain at Whois Source and there is no previous record of another owner.

The USPTO shows several different trademarks for that name, so whoever it is that emailed you doesn't have exclusive rights over that name. It's likely to be a bit of a minefield though.

Perhaps you should seek clarification as to which trademark they hold, and also ask to see some evidence of ownership of the domain. However, don't make any offers to sell or transfer the domain name or make any comment on your intended use.

[phillypleez]

I did a little research on their web site and I'm pretty sure they are a small business / company. I registered the name about 2 weeks ago with no problems. I heard that If you legally registered the domain through a registar, then it is yours.

[PatrickDeese]

> I heard that

Unfortunately "hearing things" doesn't always hold up in court.

I would suggest that you register a business alias (DBA) for that name - which would give you the legal right to transact business under that name in your state.

In Texas it costs about $20 file a DBA with the county.

In general you are protected if you registered a domain without bad intent (ie squatting) you should be okay.

[rfgdxm1]

>We have owned the domain for years, and were perplexed how you were able to register it. We are the definitive trademark and domain owner of ion on the Internet and ask you simply transfer it back to us.

They have a VERY weak legal case. They owned it, and then let it expire? Strong grounds to argue that this can be reasonably interpreted as them considering the name of no value to them.

[kwasher]

It could easily be an attempt to steal your domain from you. If you want to be 'nice' about it, and you do NOT have to, ask for proof. You could ask them to send it by regular snail mail as well.

Otherwise, they are free to try and bring up an arbitration case with you, where they will have to prove you stole and squatted their name. There is a nice thread on webmasterworld about this... hmmm... where o where is it..... ahh do some searching. Good luck.

p.s. I think I used to own all of your other domains, could you please give those back to me. (smile)

[jsinger]

"I left you a message yesterday by phone after discovering..."

Did they really phone?