Anyone know the legal problems or the reality of buying a domain that includes the word google?
Thanks...
Life is as simple or a complex as you choose to make it and decisions - and how you approach making decisions - has consequences. Case in point: If you want to know Google's position you should ask Google, before you act. It's usually people who are afraid they know the answer that are afraid to ask the decisionmaker.
Surprise yourself and Google. Ask them, not us.
I think I already know the answer, but you might present some evidence of other people using Google in their domains (I'm sure they already know) and ask them "If they are all doing it and you allow it to persist them what's wrong with my proposition."
Here's a prediction: Some day, some major company, will sue everyone who has employed their registered mark to make money trading off their good will. They won't send letters. They'll simply do the proper pre-lawsuit research and then sue. When they do this it will be with the intention that everyone must pay. That will be the strategy. No "get out of jail free by handing over the domain". No, the objective will be to send a message and to chill the practice. Word will get out into the community "Don't mess with registering company X's domains, you will get sued and they will take your money."
It's only a matter of time. I've been predicting this approach for about 2 years. Sooner or later CompanyX will step up, do the math and decide that the emergence of the WWW as a driver of brand demands that they take such action. Others will follow.
At that moment in time do you want to be holding the wrong obvious famous and registered mark, which you are attempting to exploit by trading off their good will?
OBTW - No one on this board is in any way authorized to make decisions for you or present you with legal opinions specific to your issues. You are aware of this? Did you read the Charter?
1) Bought domain name.
2) Planned site.
3) Contacted Google.
4) Google replies (eventually) with questions.
5) Submit site plan to Google.
6) Google grants permission (eventually & with conditions).
7) Document emails and permission every which way but loose, just in case.
7) Code and publish.
I did not invest any significant time until I had the OK from the big G.
Freq---
Someone actually asked and it worked, subject to terms and conditions, which is entirely expected.
Since there's over 9,500 domains that employ Google that means there's likely only 8,888 or so others that still have to ask, if they wish to avoid trouble at some future date. :( (Forget about ranking if you don't ask. :0)
