I just bought googlebucks.mobi and I dont know what I was going to actually do with it but I know google ownes googlebucks.com so i figured i would take googlebucks.mobi because i wanted a .mobi site eventually anyways. What do you think of the name. Im not sure what the site would be about. Can I get some ideas?

You might get sued by Google for using this domain. The minimum you'd need was a disclaimer notice saying you are not affiliated with Google at all etc.

Since you've just registered it, your best bet would be to deregister it (most domain registrars allow you to cancel a registration within the first 5 days).

Otherwise, prepare for a nasty email from Google about appearing in court.

Dan

yeah you do have a point whym but im not sure what they could sue me for...if it was illegal maybe they should have that stated somehwere and its not like im saying im google.com or anything. but who knows if they do sue me they wont get no money because im broke! lol

Do they have a trademark on google? I mean, it is a real word... a number right?

I dont know how it would work. Yeah google is a real word in the dictionary i think. well i know googleplex is a real word it is the largest number with a name basically. I dont know if I spelled it right.

So if i build a website or get someone to do it will i be limited on what i can do because its a .mobi?

also .mobi domains don't sell for that much.

DISCLAIMER: I'm not a lawyer and this should not be viewed as legal advice

WARNING: DON'T TALK ABOUT POTENTIAL LEGAL PROBLEMS ON FORUMS! IF YOU DO GET SUED, THEY WILL FIND A WAY TO USE YOUR POSTS AGAINST YOU!

My Thoughts: Google lives largely off of the good will of the people. They probably wouldn't just up and sue you. They'd probably just tell you to give it to them, or else face legal action. They'd probably even be willing to throw you a few bucks for it. However, they wouldn't be obligated to. They have more money and more lawyers than you, and they could just as easily demand you give them money along with the domain or else go to court. The really important thing here is to make sure nobody could possibly mistake you for Google. A disclaimer on your homepage would be a great idea.

just FYI: the number is spelled googol. 1*10^100
So google could have ownership of the word.

From their permissions guidelines:

One of the conditions for all uses is that you can't mess around with our marks. Only we get to do that. Don’t remove, distort or alter any element of a Google Brand Feature. That includes modifying a Google trademark, for example, through hyphenation, combination or abbreviation, such as: Googliscious, Googlyoogly, GaGooglemania. Do not shorten, abbreviate, or create acronyms out of Google trademarks.

Googlebucks would break this so you're in trouble.

Don’t register Google trademarks as second-level domain names.

Buy purchasing googlebucks.mobi, you are doing this.

I would get rid of that domain ASAP to avoid any legal action taken against you.

Dan

Approach them first, and try to sell to them at the price of your inconvenience of going to the trouble of getting a new one.

Suppose it was a TLD? Did they mention anything about international copyright on TLD? (oh so sinister..)

well i guess time will tell lol
i dont think im just going to get rid of it though. I dont think that would make any sense.

Ill just make some sort of website out of it and make sure it says on the homepage not aff. with google itself.

I just dont know what the website should be consisting of. Any thoughts?

Originally Posted by whym

One of the conditions for all uses is that you can't mess around with our marks. Only we get to do that. Don’t remove, distort or alter any element of a Google Brand Feature. That includes modifying a Google trademark, for example, through hyphenation, combination or abbreviation, such as: Googliscious, Googlyoogly, GaGooglemania. Do not shorten, abbreviate, or create acronyms out of Google trademarks.

This just applies to people that are using google features i.e. gmail, news groups etc… Not registering a domain name! There are many, many domain names that use the same name with a different extension i.e. -- kiss.com… etc… Who has the rights to KISS??? The band???

I highly doubt that google would sue a little guy with no money. As long as he is not providing any of the same services as google, there would be no confusion among the public or any form of “Cyberpiracy.” As far as trademark infringement; google would have to prove that they suffered damages to have “cause of action” for litigation.

If in fact jayjay050 is in violation of any applicable laws, google would advise him to discontinue usage. jayjay050 would then have the right to contact an Attorney for free legal advice and to see what his rights are. It doesn’t matter how much money or how many Attorney’s google has on retainer - if no laws are being broken - there is no "cause of action."

Do you really think that google would spend a dime to sue a little guy, with a similar mark, just because he has a few web pages sitting on a server?

RIDICULOUS - GOOGLE HAS BIGGER FISH TO FRY!

haha yeah thats what i was thinking even if they did sue me like i said i have no money to give them anyways lol

ill just make it a freakin porn site haha just joking!

Originally Posted by jayjay050

haha yeah thats what i was thinking even if they did sue me like i said i have no money to give them anyways lol

Honestly, if Google has a problem with your domain name and site, (provided they have just cause) all they would have to do is contact your web host and shut your site down. No need to sue!

Porn? Haha… how bout http://GooglePorn.com/ ??? hehe
Are you going to register it or am I???

Here is a domain name taken with a web site: http://MyspacePorn.com/
Someone is in trouble!

Originally Posted by The Fedz

This just applies to people that are using google features i.e. gmail, news groups etc… Not registering a domain name! There are many, many domain names that use the same name with a different extension i.e. -- kiss.com… etc… Who has the rights to KISS??? The band???

Why are you using a large annoying bold font? Anyway, create a company that deals with Music and name it Kiss. See how long it lasts. Trademarks for generic words apply to that word in a given industry. Since Google's industry is "the interweb", having an "interweb domain" could very well be infringing on their trademark. It is kind of gray, and I'm not familiar with any specific presedent.

Originally Posted by The Fedz

As far as trademark infringement; google would have to prove that they suffered damages to have “cause of action” for litigation.

That would be easy. All they'd have to do is show how somebody went to googlebucks.mobi and thought that they were at an official Google page. Now in that persons eyes, the Google brand is tarnished and a customer is lost. Damages would be the easiest part of this case to prove.

Originally Posted by The Fedz

If in fact jayjay050 is in violation of any applicable laws, google would advise him to discontinue usage.

I agree with you on this one. They probably wouldn't go straight to court.

Originally Posted by The Fedz

jayjay050 would then have the right to contact an Attorney for free legal advice and to see what his rights are. It doesn’t matter how much money or how many Attorney’s google has on retainer - if no laws are being broken - there is no "cause of action."

This would be a civil action and not a criminal action. He does not have a right to free legal council. Now, because it's "Google suing a little guy", there would be some attorneys will to take his case on for very little just for the publicity, but he has no "right" to free legal council in a civil matter.

Originally Posted by The Fedz

Do you really think that google would spend a dime to sue a little guy, with a similar mark, just because he has a few web pages sitting on a server?

If I was Google, I'd already be drafting up my take down notice to this guy. Google's entire business is built on its reputation and image. You don't let anybody have a chance of damaging your entire business model. I wouldn't be surprised if he gets a "cease and desist" in the next few weeks if he actual puts something up on that site. I hope for your sake that it's just a "cease and desist" and that they don't take you straight to court.

yeah ill make sure to put on the homepage not aff. with google whats so ever! and ill make it bold and flash and dance lol

Originally Posted by mork29

Why are you using a large annoying bold font?

Because I want to, do you have a problem with my typing? Thank you!

Originally Posted by mork29

Anyway, create a company that deals with Music and name it Kiss. See how long it lasts.

This is not an equal comparison as his domain name. He is not "google.com exactly,” he is "googlebucks.mobi" Now Googlebucks.mobi and Kissoff would be the same comparison.

Originally Posted by mork29

Trademarks for generic words apply to that word in a given industry. Since Google's industry is "the interweb", having an "interweb domain" could very well be infringing on their trademark. It is kind of gray, and I'm not familiar with any specific presedent.

Exactly, you are not an Attorney and it shows.

Originally Posted by mork29

That would be easy. All they'd have to do is show how somebody went to googlebucks.mobi and thought that they were at an official Google page.

That “somebody” would have to appear in court as a witness and as I stated in my above post, google has bigger fish to fry. In addition; jayjay050 would have to have a very impressive web site to fool the public and get the attention of google.

Originally Posted by mork29

Now in that persons eyes, the Google brand is tarnished and a customer is lost. Damages would be the easiest part of this case to prove.

Wrong! Google would have to prove that this domain name registered by jayjay050 caused them financial loss. Do you really think that jayjay050 domain name/site, has the potential to cause a "huge organization" like google, any significant financial loss? Doubt it…

Originally Posted by mork29

I agree with you on this one. They probably wouldn't go straight to court.

Civil cases NEVER go strait to court. There is a discovery period that can last 180 day or so from the time of filing a complaint with the courts. After this period, the case would then be scheduled for trial. However, most civil matters never see the light of day in a court room, as they settle out of court.

Originally Posted by mork29

This would be a civil action and not a criminal action.

I never said that this is a criminal case. Go back and read my bold print above where I stated, “jayjay050 would then have the right to contact an Attorney for free legal advice”

Originally Posted by mork29

He does not have a right to free legal council.

Again, I stated “free advice” dood, do I have to print in a LARGER font?

Originally Posted by mork29

Now, because it's "Google suing a little guy", there would be some attorneys will to take his case on for very little just for the publicity, but he has no "right" to free legal council in a civil matter.

What publicity? It would never see a court room - so how would an Attorney get publicity?

Originally Posted by mork29

If I was Google, I'd already be drafting up my take down notice to this guy.

Googe has BIGGER fish to fry, do I have to keep repeating myself?

Originally Posted by mork29

Google's entire business is built on its reputation and image. You don't let anybody have a chance of damaging your entire business model.

And how is jayjay050 damaging google’s entire business model? Your statement is ridiculous!

Originally Posted by mork29

I wouldn't be surprised if he gets a "cease and desist" in the next few weeks if he actual puts something up on that site.

Never happen…

Originally Posted by mork29