Do I Own a Valuable Domain Name?

Does an existing private domain have corporate value

[CharlesMiller]

I've owned several domain names for a number of years. I'm not a squatter, I've never sold a domain name before, although I've been approached on more than one occasion. My domain names are dedicated to a number of private projects that I've been working for a long time.

However... A few days ago I had some little glitch with my domain registrar, and I called their technical support to correct it, which they did in short order. At that point, the tech (who was looking at a list of my domains) made an offhand comment about my owning a potentially valuable domain name. I asked him to explain.

He said that he couldn't advise me, for legal reasons, but that I should do a little research regarding one specific domain name.

I did so. I discovered that there is a European corporation, with assets in the billions, that has the exact same name as one of my .com domains. With a little more research, I found that they own EVERY domain with that name (.org, .net, .info, etc, etc) EXCEPT the .com, which I own.

The corporation in question has never approached me regarding the possible purchase of my domain name.

Now for my question: Should I approach this corporation with an offer to sell my domain name to them? I understand that, since the dot-com bubble burst, domain owners are more proactive in the solicitation of potential buyers, but I have no experience in domain name sales whatsoever. Should I consult an attorney first, or should I make a more personal offer without representation? I don't want to frighten away a potential buyer.

Thanks in advance for your kind assistance, folks!

[Leosghost]

if they have registered the trademark in your area they may just be told by their lawyers to try take it for no fee ( if you approach them ..)..research first ..

[CharlesMiller]

Research to determine if this is an aggressive corporation, you mean?

Could they simply snatch it from me if they wanted? With no legal recourse on my part?

[AllAboutTheBenjamins]

Are they currently dealing in the U.S. and have they registered for trademark protection? [uspto.gov...]

If so, from my current understanding of business law, yes, they could acquire any domain name for which they have a working trademark. (without comparable compensation)
I'm not really sure how it works internationally, but if they've registered the TM in the U.S. they have "priority" over the name. but the TM has to be "in use" and they would qualify for that

Is your registration private?
most companies will simply buy out instead taking to court, if its easier for them.

If you were going to approach the company, I would advise hiring an experienced agent or attorney.

[HuskyPup]

As a matter of interest which extension do they use for their sites?

You need serious legal advice which we cannot give.

they could acquire any domain name for which they have a working trademark. (without comparable compensation)

IMHO if you are the only owner of this name bought a few years ago and have used it for your own purposes then it is very unlikely that you would be forced to hand it over for next to nothing.

The immediate one that comes to my mind is bbc.com, the BBC in the UK now have this however for years it was used by Boston Business Computing even though the BBC has a TM for it.

My own company name is actually an adjective and a noun and there is a huge international public company that uses the same name with a couple of extra words in the title however they prefer to use a four letter acronym for their sites...I must say it doesn't stop people telephoning us for information.

Seriously get a good lawyer/agent, it could mean the difference of hundreds of thousands of Dollars.