Trademark in domain - What to do?

[safin]

Looking for advice on starting a sports forum on a domain that has a trademark.

I was planning to open a small fan site(forum, fantasy league) on formula1 racing. However my domain has "f1" in it. While f1 is a sport(formula1 racing), its also a trademark.

The F1 FORMULA 1 logo, FORMULA 1, FORMULA ONE, F1 STORE, F1, GRAND PRIX and logos and the Sweeping Curves logo are trademarks of Formula One Licensing BV, a Formula One Group Company. All rights reserved.

I thought the best way would be to approach the formula1 legal team and seek permission before i start anything on the domain. But inspite of waiting for a month, and reminder mails i haven't recieved any clearance or response.

My question is it really necessary to seek prior approval before starting something on the domain.

ps: i think this post should be in the legal forum, but no permission to post there

 

[cbk]

.....

 

[safin]

^ uh oh, i did a search here and i found this written by some other member
http://www.dnforum.com/f4/look-what-santa-brought-me-f1r-com-thread-198780.html#post1036687

As a fan site or forum and not a competitor it would be completely legal and within his rights to use the domain related to F1 racing...

I just thought that since its a sport followed worldwide, they would not have much problems with fan sites. (There are plenty of sites out there on f1 with f1 in title? http://www.dmoz.org/Sports/Motorsports/Auto_Racing/Formula_One/)

 

[Fatbat]

I'm pretty sure a fan or news site would be OK. Some examples... www.f1racing.net, www.planetf1.com and www.f1fanatic.co.uk.<cite>
</cite>

 

[oppo]

dont want to stop your manpower, but be very very careful with "F1" in any of your domains

 

[draggar]

It is up to the TM holder if they want to allow it or not. Some would be OK with it (there are many sites out there with *****um etc..) in them and they go on day by day while others are served with C&Ds within hours of registering the domain.

Any advice given here should have a huge YMMV stamp with it.

The safest route to go is to come up with your own domain and work with that.

 

[safin]

Was finally able to get a mail through to the f1 authorities.
They replied to say they have forwarded my request to the concerned department and they would reply if i can go ahead or not. I guess if they don't give the permission, i will change the domain.
Sad part is that it was a great domain a pity if it would go waste. (sadly i even registered it for 10 years lol)

 

[draggar]

Sad part is that it was a great domain a pity if it would go waste. (sadly i even registered it for 10 years lol)

Good luck but I think many people on this forum has been there, I had a great one that I lost when I was sent a C&D.

 

[safin]

Just an update.
I have got a response from f1 legal and marketing team who after clarifying what my site model is and having a look have given their go ahead

Should i ask for any written confirmation or an email confirmation(with their official email id and representative name) is good enough for future?

 

[HolyRoller]

Written confirmation is obviously best, but emails can be used in case of a legal dispute. I have asked permission to use TM domains before and in most cases they have agreed but stipulated certain things. Sometimes it is as simple as placing a link back to the original site.

 

[safin]

^^yes, in this case among other things, they have asked me to carry a legal disclaimer at the bottom.

 

[katherine]

That's good news, congrats.

 

[Fatbat]

Yes, congratulations. I hope your site is a success!

Good luck.

 

[zabijaq]

At court as defendant, You can say F1 stands for "f**k one"