[besson3c]

Along the same lines of the domain name squatter thread...

I've been trying to buy a domain for quite some time now. The owners are based out of the UK and keep renewing the domain, except there hasn't been a site online for quite some time now.

There is no email address for them listed in the whois, all I have is a mailing address which I'm tempted to try mailing to making an offer on the domain, but I sort of doubt that they would respond. When there was a site online reflecting this domain, I made an offer and never heard back from them.

I paid one of those domain name purchasing companies to help me secure the domain when it was about to expire last May. I figured they might have some resources that I didn't, and would perhaps be able to track down an email address or something so I can make a private offer (they assured me they could do that sort of thing). All they did was email the domain name registrar, who of course couldn't do anything for me. Very lame, and a rip off.


Does anybody have suggestions on what I can do? I'd love this domain, but I need a way to contact the owner to make an offer.

Your advice will be appreciated!

[budster101]

Buy the other version of the domain.

.org
.net
.biz
.whathaveyou...

Why do you need that one?
What's it called?

[besson3c]

Originally Posted by budster101

Buy the other version of the domain.

.org
.net
.biz
.whathaveyou...

Why do you need that one?
What's it called?

Already have the other variants...

If I told you the domain I'm pining over, would you be able to help me, or are you just generally curious? If the former, I'd probably prefer to PM you.

[budster101]

I don't think I could help you out. I was just curious of the domain name. Do you think someone in here would sit on it?..

[besson3c]

Originally Posted by budster101

I don't think I could help you out. I was just curious of the domain name. Do you think someone in here would sit on it?..

No, I just don't want people Googling the domain and having this thread pop up.

[CanadaRAM]

Well, about your only option is to snail mail them. I mean, what other alternative future did you have in mind for this scenario? Be prepared that they will ask a minimum $500 for it, because you would have created an instant sellers market just by admitting your interest.

[budster101]

? Then spell it with periods between the letters.

B.e.t.w.e.e.n. t.h.e. l.e.t.t.e.r.s.

[besson3c]

Originally Posted by budster101

? Then spell it with periods between the letters.

B.e.t.w.e.e.n. t.h.e. l.e.t.t.e.r.s.

i.t. w.i.t.h. p.e.r.i.o.d.s. b.e.t.w.e.e.n. t.h.e. l.e.t.t.e.r.s.

It's the .com of my current domain.

Gimmie! I want it!

[dreilly1]

File a trademark application on the name. Then try to have it taken from the current owners, since they are infringing on your trademark.

[besson3c]

Originally Posted by dreilly1

File a trademark application on the name. Then try to have it taken from the current owners, since they are infringing on your trademark.

Cool idea! I hadn't thought of that.

Any idea as to how one would register a trademark?

[budster101]

Funny. Make them an offer.

[JoshuaZ]

Wow, its like a lawyer fest in here. Maybe I should trademark my name so I can get joshzimmerman.com from the jerk who never responds to my e-mails.

[besson3c]

Originally Posted by budster101

Funny. Make them an offer.

Do you think I should mail them an offer first, or tell them that they are infringing on my trademark?

I really don't have the resources to go through with any sort of legal ploy. Besides, they are located in a different country.

[Mastrap]

That doesn't work retrospectively. Which is a good thing.

[besson3c]

Originally Posted by Mastrap

That doesn't work retrospectively. Which is a good thing.

What, the trademark deal?

A little bit underhanded for me too, the more I ponder it.

[dreilly1]

I was only half serious -- there are all sorts of legal ramifications for filing a trademark, of course, and it's probably pointless unless it's attached to something that is generating money for you. But in the US, the USPTO is the place to start:

http://www.uspto.gov/web/trademarks/workflow/start.htm

[dreilly1]

Originally Posted by Mastrap

That doesn't work retrospectively. Which is a good thing.

Not necessarily. The Domain Arbitration process is ridiculously tilted toward trademark owners, and against people who aren't actively using the domain. At least, that's what I read on Slashdot.

[Buckaroo]

I had someone offer me over $5,000 for a domain name that I own. I wasn't interested in selling. Nothing less than $20k.

[saddino]

Originally Posted by dreilly1

Not necessarily. The Domain Arbitration process is ridiculously tilted toward trademark owners, and against people who aren't actively using the domain. At least, that's what I read on Slashdot.

True, but:

1) You have to secure the trademark ($325), which also means you have to produce a service or product with that name; and
2) You have to prove the holder of the domain is using it in bad faith. If they don't want to sell it to you (at any price), and they aren't infringing on your mark (beyond having the domain), there's nothing you can do about it.

My advice: write them (if possible) and make them a fair offer.

[besson3c]

How does trademark law work when you are dealing with individuals living in different countries? Just curious.

[Doofy]

Do not use trademark stuff to get this domain (even if it's possible, which I doubt). If there's one thing UK Internet folks generically detest about Americans it's their assumption that they should have .coms just because they have a trademark in their own country. A .com is a World-wide title - first come, first served. If you didn't get it, tough.

Have you even got the .us version yet? No?
.info?
.biz?

Make them an offer if you really want it.