Company names in domain names

[Domains4SaleNOW]

Hi I have searched for the answer to this question and have been unable to find the answer.

If for example I had a website called www.CocaCola-drink-reviews.com would that be legal?

Many thanks in advance.

Gary.

 

[Sonny Banks]

No, you can't use domains of TM companies (except if these companies give you written permission to use it).
Stay away from TM domains.

 

[DigiNames]

definitely stay away from them.

If you use a name like that for "free speech" and make no money off of it you would have a case, but if you don't make money then it don't make sense.

 

[Vincent]

I type in starbuckslover.com, and the site directs me to godaddy.com.

Does this mean Starbucks give godaddy permission to use the domain with its trademark? This definitely is an advertisement domain.

And what if you plan to use it for domain monetization, ppc?

 

[katherine]

I type in starbuckslover.com, and the site directs me to godaddy.com.

Does this mean Starbucks give godaddy permission to use the domain with its trademark? This definitely is an advertisement domain.

And what if you plan to use it for domain monetization, ppc?

That is the godaddy placeholder page - probably the registrant is not using the name yet. As a rule - it's cybersquatting, unless you have permission from the TM holder or a good reason (ie. paypalsucks.com => free speech).

 

[I33]

great topic, i got a question.. lets say i buy a domain for $1500 and coca cola comes with me. do they owe me anything for the site, or do i have to turn it over to them for free?

 

[draggar]

A lot of it boils down to usage, too. Granted the above mentioned domains are clearly targeted towards the TM owner but what about apple.com? (or apple-sales.com etc..)

If you use it to sell products in refrence to the fruit (apple pie, tarts, apple art, toy apples, apple cider, etc.) then Apple (the computer company) would have a trough time trying to get it from you (until they saw one computer based ad on your site).

Another example: Nissan.com