Need legal advice on trademarks and registering domain names (trademark issues)?

ByronB

Hi this is in relation to domain names and trademarks.

For example Sony is a trademark, so even if the domain name sony.ie was available, you still could not use it without legal action being taking against you because your website would be infringing on a trademark (but it is not that cut and dried either).

So i was wondering if someone (myself) were to own a few different domain names e.g. domain.com and some of them were:

• Someones Registered Business Name in a different country or local.
  
  
• A Company Name in a different country or local.
  
  
• A word which is a Registered Trademark (various types).

What would your position be in the different circumstances.


I need to seek advice on the legalities of registering or putting to use (for income) a domain name that falls into the different points above and where one would stand with regard to being sued, told to take website down, etc.

I need to know am i legally allowed to put to use (for income) a domain name that sounds very similar to an existing site (very large site) already out there and/or if i am possibly only restricted to using it for sales within Ireland or possibly not restricted at all.


Can someone please PM me or "hypothetically" recommend someone as i am looking for help and may need to schedule an appointment.

Thank you in advance.

p.s. I am unsure if lawyers would know all this unless they specialize in a particular area? Thanks.

NoQuarter

ByronB wrote: »

p.s. I am unsure if lawyers would know all this unless they specialize in a particular area? Thanks.

They would know it and, you know, they would like to get paid for their services and knowledge, just like you!