Business let domain name expire.

[jca]

So a local business let it's domain name expire. I believe the business changed hands recently, and the new owner let the domain name expire/drop several months ago.

The domain is now unregistered and waiting for someone/anyone to register it. The business name is trademarked, so I have no intention of registering the domain. The domain is a somewhat generic name that several businesses across the country use and would probably want as a domain name -- think of a "Pete's Cafe" type of name. Am I right in thinking that it would be a clear case of legal issues with the name and should stay far away?

I'm amazed that the business hasn't renewed the domain name -- they've just announced they are doing a major business expansion (home delivery), and it drives me crazy that the name is just sitting there as it would be something they would/should need and is a nice short name. I almost want to tell them to register it so I don't have to think about it anymore. :undecided:

Does anyone else ever run across situations like this?

 

[Sonny Banks]

Sure!
3 days ago I've found an expired name (TM of a UK company) very brandable low-mid x,xxx for sure.

I don't reg'd that.

Seems like in the current economic situation many peoples forgot to renew their business domains.

You had make the right choice stay away from TM.

 

[south]

Make a courtesy phone call.

 

[shiffy]

Make a courtesy phone call.

That would be the nice thing to do. You can even register it if they don't in a few days and then hand it over if your a really nice guy. Maybe you'll get some free "home delivery".

 

[Theo]

There are several reasons to this: perhaps the administrator was laid off or the company is not doing so well. Do not register it, alert them to the situation but ensure first you are speaking to the right person.

 

[actnow]

All of us have had similar situations.

I often make "casual" suggestions to people about registering a domain for their business.
Or, expand the fishing net to capture the missed traffic with a similar domain.
If they own the singular (and promote it), they should also register the plural, etc.

One specific situation.
I have a friend that owns a TM for his business but the domain just sits there unregistered.
(word) (word) Center
I have told him and told him.

Instead, he uses (word) (word) (state abbrev.) .com
Ironically, he probably could buy the domain best suited for his business for $ 1,000.
(word) (word) .com
But, he has a mindset that it isn't worth it.

If he isn't willing to spend $ 9. to cover his TM, he is not going to spend $ 1K.

 

[Georged]

Guys, maybe I dont get it. But lets imagine situation if you bought expired domain of TM.
You can park it and make some money.
Than if company will ask you to give him back their name - just do it!

Is it illegal?

 

[Onward]

It really depends on how generic the name is....

If it is not really generic...exercise some good Karma and give them a call.

If it is really generic ....reg it.

 

[denny007]

Register it under fake name and offer it to them for 2K, easy money

 

[eksperts]

Register it under fake name and offer it to them for 2K, easy money

And money going to fake name... not to you.

 

[britishbulldog]

It's pretty simple if it's generic and it's used in a different class as the TM holder you will not have a problem but if any of the parked ads are associated anything in relation to the TM you will have a problem......example if i were an apple trader (as in the fruit) and apple forgot to renew their domain and i snatched it and had a website up selling my granny smiths i would be o.k but now if i had snatched their domain and parked it and the ads were related anything to do with their TM i.e computers etc etc then i would be liable for TM infringement.

I only know these thin gs with all the god damn wipos i have lost so now i'm very careful :-(

 

[dominator]

if it is generic and used by many different businesses (as you mentioned), then register it