China Registry

.cn version of existing .com

[M_B_Walker]

I have used the domains widgets.com (not real name, obviously) and widgets.org for 9 years and within the Widgets field my .com site is very well known.

I have been approached by the "Checking Department" of <a domain registration company> and asked my opinion on a Chinese registration of widgets.com.cn. I would prefer that the domain not exist, but since Widgets is a generic term in my field, I'm not sure that I have any grounds to block the registration.

Any thoughts?

[edited by: encyclo at 1:15 am (utc) on July 24, 2008]
[edit reason] no specifics please [/edit]

[encyclo]

When you say "approached", I assume you mean via an unsolicited commercial email - ie. they spammed you?

Because that's what it almost certainly is - spam. They simply want to sell you a domain you didn't want in the first place. If as you say it is a generic term, then it is first-come first-served.

[M_B_Walker]

No, that's not what I mean. What I mean is that I've been contacted by the registration authority in China that issues Chinese domains, asking me if I object to widgets.com.cn. It's not spam.

I would prefer that the domain not be allowed, but suspect I can't do anything about it.

[LifeinAsia]

but suspect I can't do anything about it.

Sure you can- you can register it first. And the "registration authority" that contacted you wants you to do exactly that- register it through them. I agree with encyclo- it's most likely SPAM.

[M_B_Walker]

No one's asked for me to register anything or send money (they've just asked for my opinion on the Chinese domain), but it does smell fishy. Probably best to treat it like spam and just ignore.

Thanks.

[HuskyPup]

Why not just register the tld widgets.cn, they're cheap enough.