Recently I started a forum with a name that is the same as another similar forum (the difference is the TLD). I actually registered the domain name before seeing the other site. However, I don't think anything is wrong because I am not copying anything from that site and their's ends with .co.uk while mine ends with .net. They are in the UK and of course I am not. I received this message earlier today. I am curious if this guy has anything to go on or if he's just being billy bad ass and trying to scare me to change my domain name? I intentionally left out the domain names to prevent this from being easily searchable.

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Mark Blair
NowParenting - "Parenting Discussion Community"
HostHideout - "Where Professionals Discuss Web Hosting"

To me I don't think he was trying to threaten you but he still probably wants you to change it because on the other hand you could start stealing his hits. If you don't want to change it then I don't think there's anything he can do though I'm not a lawyer.

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World of Warcraft Forums - Your #1 place to discuss all things World of Warcraft.

I'd contact a lawyer to be sure, but off the cuff, Caddy would tell him to pound sand

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PA Forums
Philly Sports
Delaware Online
boomshockalacka

Thanks. I was going to tell him to have his lawyer contact me when he's serious but that might make him go ahead and get the trademark which would probably cause me issues. The domain name is not a copy of some big outfit like Microsoft or eBay. It's two words combined as one and like you said I think he is worried about lost traffic. I may need to speak with a lawyer anyway just to be sure. My concern is most lawyers will probably just say to handle this on the safe side and may suggest changing the name even if there is no reason.

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Mark Blair
NowParenting - "Parenting Discussion Community"
HostHideout - "Where Professionals Discuss Web Hosting"

Especially if the domain is just two dictionary words put together like you say then he shouldn't be able to stop you from using them. I personally wouldn't do anything until he has an actual case against you.

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I wouldn't worry about it

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Ford Mustang Forums - F-Series Trucks

id wait.. see what happens.. if he says we are contacting through a lawyer. check it!
some just threaten you with no legal power at all, they try trick you into getting scared. but sometimes they are for real but best check before

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Broadcasting World - Broadcasting, Shoutcast Forums/Site
iwebfusion - Simply Hosting

Typically, from the few trademark cases I've witnessed, if you registered your domain before the trademark was granted, you'll be grandfathered in so it won't technically be trademark infringement.

If he wants to push it, he'll still be able to, however, he won't get too far, especially if they are common words.

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yeah, if its a unique domain name.. have a look first
if its common... you shouldnt worry

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Broadcasting World - Broadcasting, Shoutcast Forums/Site
iwebfusion - Simply Hosting

I don’t see how it could be a legal problem, though he is right to a certain extent and you might have problem ranking for your own domain name, since his forum is older than yours and since it belongs to the same niche, you might just loose traffic this way.

Add to this, it might just hurt your branding aspects since you would have to include the dot net extension in the name and make a strong impression to ensure people remember your forum URL properly.

Few might also get the impression that you started your forum as a copy of the older forum.

Another thing, who owns the dot com version of the domain?

Because both of you might just end up sending traffic towards that domain, because many would just presume that the domain TLD is dot com and not dot net. In case he owns the dot com version as well, consider yourself to be in a big problem as you will likely send a bit of type in traffic.

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