Designer or SEO responsibility in trademark & copyright issues

[Marcia]

I've got a situation with a new client who's been notified to stop using a domain name. It's a unique, catchy type of word and the trademark legitimately does belong to another company, even though it's not the same product. The other guys want the domain, too. They must have decided to do a site and found out when they check for the domain.

She intends to keep using it, but from my standpoint I'm not sure what my role or involvement is. Someone else did the design, I'm just doing some optimization and promotion work on it.

What kind of disclaimer would I need to have, if I do need one, or is just staying transparent enough? I've said to just take another name, it doesn't seem worth any hassles.

Would it be best off on my part to bow out altogether?

[jdMorgan]

Marcia,

Since you've advised her to give it up, I doubt you're in any danger. However, it wouldn't hurt to get it in writing... "I Client Name hereby acknowledge and affirm that Marcia has advised me to abandon the domain name in dispute, etc., Signed, YourClient, Date, Independent Witness." That sort of thing.

However, as always, I'll advise you to consult an attorney.

If she changes domains now, it will reduce her legal costs and also avoid complete loss of her domain-branding if the domain is yanked out from under her unexpectedly. A redirect in time saves nine, so to say... Best to do it while she still controls the domain.

Jim