NYPD - Need your opinions - Just got a letter from NY's "Law Dept" - DNForum - Domain Sales, Domain Forum, Domain Appraisals, Domain Registrars

**JuniperPark** · 03-18-2005, 03:49 PM

I recently purchased NYPD.info.

What's your option on the ability to own/develop this name?

My thoughts:

1) My understanding was that a government or municipality could not own a trademark on their name, including the initials. Their letter clearly states the city of New York "owns all trademarks related to the New York Police Department (NYPD)"

2) NYPD has been used my many firms, including the famous "NYPD Blue" tV show, which is not related and in fact often portrays the New York Police Dept in a negative light. There are also entire clothing lines with the NYPD letters.

3) NYPD.com clearly states that it is NOT associated with the New York Police Department.

4) If, indeed a local government can own a city name or a city department name, a huge number of domains would have TM issues (SFPD, NYFD, LAFD, LAPD, SDPD, etc) in all extentions. In fact every **PD.com and **FD.com would be at risk.

5) As a .INFO investor, I am pleased to see that the .INFO space is getting a lot of attention!!

Your thoughts?

**Duke** · 03-18-2005, 04:08 PM

I owned NYPD.info myself and gave it to the NY Police Department last year! I have to assume they didn't sell it to you, so I can only guess they let it drop! How weird. Wonder if that has any bearing on their legal claim, considering they had it in their hands and didn't even bother to renew it. Someone dropped the ball somewhere.

**jberryhill** · 03-18-2005, 04:12 PM

Interesting....

Serial Number: 76342567

Registration Number: (NOT AVAILABLE)

Mark (words only): NYPD

Standard Character claim: No

Current Status: An opposition is now pending at the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board.

Owner (APPLICANT) City of New York MUNICIPAL CORPORATION NEW YORK 100 Church Steet New York NEW YORK 10007

-=------------------

Word Mark NYPD NEW YORK PIZZA DINER
Goods and Services IC 042. US 100 101. G & S: Italian restaurant. FIRST USE: 19960601. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 19960601
Mark Drawing Code (3) DESIGN PLUS WORDS, LETTERS, AND/OR NUMBERS
Design Search Code 080112
Serial Number 75352702
Filing Date June 2, 1997
Current Filing Basis 1A
Original Filing Basis 1A
Published for Opposition July 21, 1998
Registration Number 2195754
Registration Date October 13, 1998

**JuniperPark** · 03-18-2005, 04:17 PM

Duke -

Yes, it was caught at a drop. That's a strange history!

I could have some fun with them... tell them I got it for $20 from a clerk in the NYPD office.... or some shady guy in Tampa

**fatter** · 03-18-2005, 04:32 PM

cant help you, I just no nypd and nyfd make a lot of money through sales of hats and shirts and other emblems, I would assume money goes to their benevolent associations

**Dave Zan** · 03-18-2005, 06:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jberryhill

Current Status: An opposition is now pending at the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board.

Why the "opposition"?

**jberryhill** · 03-18-2005, 08:49 PM

Quote:

Why the "opposition"?

Don't know. But when you find out that the person asking you for something is in the midst of a legal dispute with someone you don't know, would you take what that person says to you for granted?

**MediaHound** · 03-18-2005, 09:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JuniperPark

I could have some fun with them... tell them I got it for $20 from a clerk in the NYPD office

You would even think of somthing like that?
That's messed up.
Why put some innocent clerksperson through that?

And before you say it was just a joke, this isn't the humor forum.