Can I use a product name in my domain?

**yummayumma** · 11-29-2011, 06:11 PM

I bought this a while ago. I planed to make the site about the various versions of the product and become an ebay affiliate. The domain name doesn't have the companies name in it, but the product's name is well known.

For example ipodhq.com (not mine) hq for head quarters

**CureCancer** · 11-29-2011, 08:10 PM

Originally Posted by yummayumma

I bought this a while ago. I planed to make the site about the various versions of the product and become an ebay affiliate. The domain name doesn't have the companies name in it, but the product's name is well known.

For example ipodhq.com (not mine) hq for head quarters

if the product is a trademark you are in violation. Your idea is what the US Government is fighting! Your already on the wrong side of the market, focus your energy in flipping domains or developing domains that are trademark free!

**cbk** · 11-29-2011, 08:11 PM

....

**dcristo** · 11-29-2011, 09:20 PM

Bad idea....

**draggar** · 11-30-2011, 04:54 AM

Its been said but I'll say it again - stay away from TMs. Stick to strong generics and domains you can develop.

**Keyword Factory** · 11-30-2011, 09:32 AM

It is a complicated legal issue that really has not been resolved. If you have a store and put out a sign saying you sell coca cola then it is usually not problem. If a customer went in and asked for a coca cola and was directed to an isle that has coke, pepsi, and a generic brand then there is usually no problem. If you do exactly the same thing on the internet some trademark lawyers are going to say it is somehow suddenly a problem. It may or may not be illegal but you may need to spend legal fees to defend the practice.