Registering eBayXXXX.com - trademark implications

Site will actively discuss & promote selling on ebay

[jimmydubs]

I'm setting up a small web site in the UK to advise people on how to start a business on eBay. It'll discuss how eBay works, what are the best things to trade, where to source stock from etc. I'll also have affiliate links to Amazon (books about trading on eBay) and eBay itself.

I want to register the domain eBayXXXX.com for this purpose.

Now then, I know that there are trademark implications if I (a) try and pass myself off as an eBay subsidiary or (b) rip off their brand/style/content. However, given that my site will actually promote their site and brand, and will have a prominent disclaimer stating that it is not an official eBay resource, have I got anything to worry about?

My take is that I'm just like a BMW dealer selling BMWs, and if I'm luck enough to pick up, say, BMWdealer.com then that's my good fortune.

Any thoughts much appreciated.

[tedster]

This was a fast developing thread, full of opinions, interesting links to various legal decisions, and unfortunately, interpersonal wrangling of various kinds.

Legal advice should come from personal legal counsel.