"wehate(insert coporate giant's name here).com"...

[Fatbat]

I own a few domains that look like "wehate(insert corporate giant's name here).com". What are my legal rights to build a website discussing the poor business practices of said corporate giant? I assume it would have to remain not for profit? Can they take the domain from me?

 

[EnricoSchaefer]

These are always fact specific issues and there is some inconsistency in the results. However, generally, a legitimate gripe site that is not diverting for profit and does not appear to be sponsored or endorsed by the trademark holder is protected by the First Amendment (at least in the USA).

Here are some gripe site UDRP decisions using the cool new UDRP search tool domainfight.net (searches both NAF and WIPO Decisions).

- http://domainfight.net/get_search.php?full_text=gripe%20site

- http://domainfight.net/get_search.php?domain_name=sucks

Here are some articles for your review.

- Court Dismisses Case Brought By Wal-Mart Against Gripe Site Defendant: Case Likely Drives More Internet Traffic To The Gripe Site.

- Gripe Site Primer- Ever Visit A Domain ____sucks.com?

- Gripe Site Suits Starting to Take Shape Nationally

- Judicial Watch’s Proposed Cybersquatting Claim Against Larry Klayman

 

[Fatbat]

Thanks for the info. Much appreciated!

 

[Hurley4540]

These are always fact specific issues and there is some inconsistency in the results. However, generally, a legitimate gripe site that is not diverting for profit and does not appear to be sponsored or endorsed by the trademark holder is protected by the First Amendment (at least in the USA).

Here are some gripe site UDRP decisions using the cool new UDRP search tool domainfight.net (searches both NAF and WIPO Decisions).

- http://domainfight.net/get_search.php?full_text=gripe%20site

- http://domainfight.net/get_search.php?domain_name=sucks

Here are some articles for your review.

- Court Dismisses Case Brought By Wal-Mart Against Gripe Site Defendant: Case Likely Drives More Internet Traffic To The Gripe Site.

- Gripe Site Primer- Ever Visit A Domain ____sucks.com?

- Gripe Site Suits Starting to Take Shape Nationally

- Judicial Watch’s Proposed Cybersquatting Claim Against Larry Klayman

Thanks for those links

 

[radioz]

I am not sure that I'd start a whole chain of these sites as that may seem disingenuous if questions should arise. Just a thought. Not a legal opinion.