Using a business name in a domain name

Is it safe to use the name of a business in a domain name?

[quantikev]

GiftsAt(GiftCompany.com

or

BestShoeAt(ShoeCompany).com

In your experience, is this ok or does it bring legal issues?

Just FYI, its for an idea that I and another person can probably accomplish a lot with.

Thanks!
Kevin

[edited by: Webwork at 4:29 pm (utc) on Oct. 31, 2006]
[edit reason] Charter [webmasterworld.com] [/edit]

[LifeinAsia]

Sure, it's a great idea. If you like being sued.

[quantikev]

LifeinAsia,

Thank you for replying.

This is what I thought; except that I sometimes encounter domain names of long term businesses that seem to do this without any trouble.

Off the top of my head,

instant(Google's Adsense)templates.com

And there are more.

Do these various sites have permission? Can permission be easily acquired?

Perhaps they're just taking the risk.

This was going to be based on a specific website's affiliate program, which is why I wanted to use the name.

Kevin

[edited by: quantikev at 5:01 pm (utc) on Oct. 31, 2006]

[briggidere]

i agree with lifeinasia. your looking for trouble

[ccDan]

This was going to be based on a specific website's affiliate program, which is why I wanted to use the name.

Affiliate agreements usually cover the use of their name (and usually it's a no-no, inasfar as having it as part of your domain name is concerned).

If you can't find anything in the affiliate agreement covering it, ask them.