Might I be accused of typo-squatting?

[draggar]

I've recently registered 3 domains (.net, .org, and .info) that could be (for some far-fetched way) typo-squatted. The .com is parked, but not by me (I do not own it, I wish I did, though).

The keywords in the domain is an adjective plus a very common shortcut verbiage for something (but this something is not a popular item) but it is also kinda close to a M$ product.

I do plan on using it as a legitemate site to promote the item that the keyword is for, pictures, information, stories, etc.. but no selling (except adsense and some Amazon links).

The best example I can think of is if someone registered quackermeals.tld to promote and talk about duck food, how would Quaker oatmal look at it? Mine is a little close plus M$ seems one of the most agressive companies against this.

BTW - I do own this product (several of them) and have helped many people with theirs, so I can easily furnish proof that I am a fancier of this item).

 

[Theo]

but it is also kinda close to a M$ product.

Case closed.

 

[draggar]

www.ie7.com

Not as closed as some would think.

 

[Theo]

What's your point? IE7 is not a tm.

 

[draggar]

IE7 is though an acronym for MS's browser but it points to a competitor.

Also, MS doesn't own the first trademark on the product, someone else registered one (and has been active since) 10 years before Microsoft came into the picture.

Plus, it is blatantly obvious that the site (when it is up) is in no way affiliated with Microsoft (or the product) unless the browser is completely illiterate and has no idea what MS (and the product) is about (and I doubt many infants will be browsing the web anytime soon).

The exact domain (the keyword or the .tld) that I am using is not trademakred, though.

 

[Theo]

I don't understand your thinking pattern. Are you trying to gather "conscience points" so that you feel better about registering an infringining domain? What's the point of asking for our opinion then?

 

[FuseFX]

I don't understand your thinking pattern. Are you trying to gather "conscience points" so that you feel better about registering an infringining domain? What's the point of asking for our opinion then?

Pwned!

Before Flaunting this name you should have researched that MS' legal team hangs out on DNF. May want to ask them for legal advice about the status of this domain.

 

[draggar]

Then it seems like the way this thread is going that registering anything even close to any Microsoft product isn't safe.

Microswap, Orafice, HotMales, PowerPunt, OutSpook, Excess, and AxeBox are free for MS's taking, then, if anyone registers them, no matter what they're used for. Hopefully Mike Rowe (from Dirty Jobs) doesn't want to have his name .com'ed. If this continues then little guys who don't have a seven figure bankroll might as well drop out of any kind of domaining business and be at the total mercy of big business.

Also, I don't see where I "flaunted" the domain (in fact, I haven't even mentioned it here) nor did I see a huge sign saying "I'm with MS's legal", a forum for MS's legal here, nor do I have time to go though the thousands of users on the site to search for one.

Also, when I registered the domain I didn't even think of infringement, I thought it wa a good keyword combination for a small niche of fanciers who would enjoy the site (which has nothing to do with any kind of technology or software). Only after I registered them and started a site on my home computer did I realize it could be, in a very far fetched way, typo-squatting.

From the WhoIs history, the .com has been around, off and on, and is currently parked; it's pretty clear that the .com isn't high on MS's priority list and if they did sue to get it, they let it drop and someone else has it. Yes, I did say I would have some AdSense and Amazon affiliate links on the site but with the traffic expected (low), I'd be lucky if I made enough to cover the registration fee.

 

[Dave Zan]

it's pretty clear that the .com isn't high on MS's priority list

That could change if/when Microsoft Legal PMs you or so.

 

[Theo]

A very popular webcam web site, active since 2004 I believe, was taken over by Microsoft late last month. The domain had the letters "MSN" as its last part.