Country Restrictions

Branded domains in other countries

[trillianjedi]

If you have established a brand "X" and you own and run a website "x.com", how do you go about protecting that brand in countries where domain registration requires a "presence" (.de in Germany for example)?

Sure, I know if someone in Germany buys x.de and tries to pass themselves off as an associated company then international law comes to the rescue. But what about the smaller business that may have a brand of value, but not the resources to fight an international Court case?

Can I just get a mate in Germany to register the domain for me? Are there other "hoops" that have to be jumped through in other regions?

TJ

[heini]

TJ, as you said the possibilities to protect your brand are limited, especially for smaller companies. You just have to look at the endless battles Google had to fight to get all ccTLDs for their name to see how hard it is even for the giants.
So preemptively registering all important ccTLDs is certainly a wise move.
As to the rules and restrictions - all ccTLDs have local nics, rules vary. In some countries you have to have an established company, for some you can only register names matching your official company name. Some are freely available to just about everybody.

[robert adams]

I would think that unless you live in that country, or your product is marketed to that country, don't worry about it.
It wouldn't be much competition, most people would never see it.

luck,
robert

[trillianjedi]

Thanks Heini/Robert.

I would think that unless you live in that country, or your product is marketed to that country, don't worry about it.

Europe is a small continent now. If someone wanted to buy a Widget in Germany, they could just as easily buy from the UK if the price was right.

The problem is that brand X has become synonymous with Widgets, but does not (at the moment) generate enough money to make legal action worthwhile.

It wouldn't be much competition, most people would never see it.

Google.de offers a big boost to .de TLD's.

If someone wanted to pass off as "X", the association would be of value.

TJ