Reply to: Demand for my Domain name (.co.uk) to be handed over!

[SueEllen]

As they're obviously idiots who didn't do their research first, presuming your website was easily found when they decided to trademark a matching name, but then come over all threatening as if you're the one in the wrong, I'd be inclined to update the website to include every service you are thinking of providing now or in the future, especially where they clash with the numpty one.

Make sure the presentation is top notch even if you have to buy one of those polished website templates that has little hanging off it other than a contact page.

You can advertise whatever you want on your website. Without proper marketing no-one will see it anyway. Though you may get some business from traffic looking for the numpty one.

If you don't have the motivation, you could sell it to someone on here who is looking for a new trolling target and we'll sit back with the popcorn while numpty company go postal after first new site update is a mirror of theirs but with wrong phone numbers and contact details and some dodgy blurb.

Almost sounds like a plan b for CUK trollers looking for a summer project.

He shouldn't sell it due to the bullying letter as it may give them some leeway if they try and grab the domain.

However he can hand the admin rights over to a known troll to update it weekly for him with "company news".

Since both the troll and himself will have some different skills putting both of their skills and multiple years of experience on the site will ensure they clash with the numpties but are totally truthful.

[Hobosapien]

As they're obviously idiots who didn't do their research first, presuming your website was easily found when they decided to trademark a matching name, but then come over all threatening as if you're the one in the wrong, I'd be inclined to update the website to include every service you are thinking of providing now or in the future, especially where they clash with the numpty one.

Make sure the presentation is top notch even if you have to buy one of those polished website templates that has little hanging off it other than a contact page.

You can advertise whatever you want on your website. Without proper marketing no-one will see it anyway. Though you may get some business from traffic looking for the numpty one.

If you don't have the motivation, you could sell it to someone on here who is looking for a new trolling target and we'll sit back with the popcorn while numpty company go postal after first new site update is a mirror of theirs but with wrong phone numbers and contact details and some dodgy blurb.

Almost sounds like a plan b for CUK trollers looking for a summer project.

[MrMarkyMark]

Indeed, I actually wouldn't mind going to court with them as I'm thinking I do have deeper pockets than these fools.....

Anyone that wishes to go to court, thus lining the pockets of the legal profession, to prove a puerile point is a bigger fool.

I would have just ignored them, in the first instance, they are just chancers.

[NorthWestPerm2Contr]

Non-techies won't realise that, so the best thing you can do is have something public facing.

Also the company are a bit thick. Why trademark a name that another company/individual is using with out checking that you can buy the domain name from them first?

For all they know you could be a sole trader with very large pockets.

Indeed, I actually wouldn't mind going to court with them as I'm thinking I do have deeper pockets than these fools.....

[SueEllen]

What if you have active web services within that domain that client applications are connected to.

The company can go itself.

Non-techies won't realise that, so the best thing you can do is have something public facing.

Also the company are a bit thick. Why trademark a name that another company/individual is using with out checking that you can buy the domain name from them first?

For all they know you could be a sole trader with very large pockets.

[NorthWestPerm2Contr]

I'd not put up a placeholder, just adds fuel to the "look it's not even being used" potential arguments if anything legal did kick off. Make a few updates to keep it relevant and then prepare a fresh version offline before replacing old with new.

What if you have active web services within that domain that client applications are connected to.

The company can go itself.

[SlipTheJab]

I have suggested to them that the sale is possible....
The initial email offered to pay for the Domain -
The second email offered £50 -
The third email offered £150 -

For it to be worth my while it would have to be a 4 digit number before we could even start talking. As they are a startup web design company, they don't appear to be anywhere near being able to offer that kind of money. So, I have kindly offered to take down my outdated website (which I created when I used to offer web design) and replaced it with a placeholder for a new website I look to get done sometime soon, offering a different range of technical services. The email they sent me was quite threatening but I realised that website does me a disservice anyway.... Imagine how they are going to feel when they see a new website offering advanced spanking services they could only dream of.

FTFY, Good luck with the new venture

[adubya]

I'd not put up a placeholder, just adds fuel to the "look it's not even being used" potential arguments if anything legal did kick off. Make a few updates to keep it relevant and then prepare a fresh version offline before replacing old with new.

[NorthWestPerm2Contr]

How come? You only part finished because you gave notice and left it?












Only jooooooooooooooooooooking... For old times sake and all that

Funny you mentioned that. Did an interview yesterday and am getting tempted by the massive rate on offer......

[northernladuk]

For it to be worth my while it would have to be a 4 digit number before we could even start talking. As they are a startup web design company, they don't appear to be anywhere near being able to offer that kind of money. So, I have kindly offered to take down my outdated website (which I created when I used to offer web design) and replaced it with a placeholder for a new website I look to get done sometime soon, offering a different range of technical services. The email they sent me was quite threatening but I realised that website does me a disservice anyway.... Imagine how they are going to feel when they see a spanking new website offering advanced services they could only dream of.

How come? You only part finished because you gave notice and left it?













Only jooooooooooooooooooooking... For old times sake and all that

[NorthWestPerm2Contr]

Easy question.

A. What's it worth to you? Include a value for the hassle of changing, etc.
B. What's it worth to them? How big are they, how much is it going to matter to their business, etc. Does their business potentially have an Internet marketing future, or are they a lawn care business who just thought it would be a good idea to have a website? How much cash do they have? I bet if you use that Internet search thingy, you can find some kind of guide to the value.

If A is bigger, that's the price. Doesn't matter what it is worth to them if it is worth more to you. If B is bigger, the minimum price is (A+B)/2, and the maximum price is B. If you push the price past B, or past what they think B is, they go away and you get nothing.

If you are willing to sell it, just write them back and say, "Obviously, since I registered this long before you even existed, your claim is spurious. But if the price were right, I would be willing to sell the domain. It would be inconvenient and I'm busy, so the price would have to be worth my time and trouble. If you are interested, make me an offer."

I have suggested to them that the sale is possible....
The initial email offered to pay for the Domain -
The second email offered £50 -
The third email offered £150 -

For it to be worth my while it would have to be a 4 digit number before we could even start talking. As they are a startup web design company, they don't appear to be anywhere near being able to offer that kind of money. So, I have kindly offered to take down my outdated website (which I created when I used to offer web design) and replaced it with a placeholder for a new website I look to get done sometime soon, offering a different range of technical services. The email they sent me was quite threatening but I realised that website does me a disservice anyway.... Imagine how they are going to feel when they see a spanking new website offering advanced services they could only dream of.

[WordIsBond]

I was thinking I could sell the domain but at what price?

Easy question.

A. What's it worth to you? Include a value for the hassle of changing, etc.
B. What's it worth to them? How big are they, how much is it going to matter to their business, etc. Does their business potentially have an Internet marketing future, or are they a lawn care business who just thought it would be a good idea to have a website? How much cash do they have? I bet if you use that Internet search thingy, you can find some kind of guide to the value.

If A is bigger, that's the price. Doesn't matter what it is worth to them if it is worth more to you. If B is bigger, the minimum price is (A+B)/2, and the maximum price is B. If you push the price past B, or past what they think B is, they go away and you get nothing.

If you are willing to sell it, just write them back and say, "Obviously, since I registered this long before you even existed, your claim is spurious. But if the price were right, I would be willing to sell the domain. It would be inconvenient and I'm busy, so the price would have to be worth my time and trouble. If you are interested, make me an offer."

[northernladuk]

I've always vaguely hoped someone would offer me millions for the .com domain I registered in 1997. Hasn't happened yet.

I'll offer you millions for it......

[VectraMan]

I've always vaguely hoped someone would offer me millions for the .com domain I registered in 1997. Hasn't happened yet.

Apple Illustration held on for quite a while:

Apple finally grabs apple.co.uk – after just 16 years • The Register

[NorthWestPerm2Contr]

In summary:

the company have no right to the domain because I purchased the domain long ago and they only recently started the company and registered the trademark. That proves that the domain name could not have been bought in bad faith. Furthermore this excerpt proves that they have no right to it whatsoever:

Similarly, owning a registered trade mark does not automatically entitle you to use that trade mark as
a business / company name or domain name. This is because the same trade mark can be registered
for different goods or services and by different proprietors. Also, someone may have already, and
quite legitimately, registered the business / company name or domain name, perhaps using it without
securing trade mark registration for it.


Finally if they wish to discuss purchasing the domain name legitimately then that may be a possibility but not if they continue to harass me (not sure if I should be that blunt or how else to put it).