Rookie Domain Name Registration Mistakes

cart00nist on 22/01/2021 - 21:07
Last edited 22/01/2021 - 21:09

As an IT guy, I sometimes like to have fun checking for available domain names. I may have made some serious mistakes lately buying without proper research so looking for some feedback / corrective suggestions please. Domain names used below are close examples and not exact.

A. Registered a domain similar to this - www.amazonbestitems.com
>> Is this legal for me to own this domain if I include the whole name - Amazon on it? If not so legal, I will let it expire as this was registered number of years ago. If it is still ok for me to own it, can I use it as Amazon Affiliate ecommerce for random products? Will Amazon look at it kindly with my affiliate account/items in it?

B. Registered an AU domain similar to this - www.oztop1deals.com.au (via ventraip.com.au) and www.oztop1deals.com (via name.com) This was less than 24 hours ago.
Possible Mistakes made:
1. Used a relative's ABN/account with a medical name to register the domain
2. Oz Top Deals is registered by someone else ASIC Gov Link so technically I can't own it unless I register another similar company eg. Top 1 OZ Deal Solutions Pty Ltd
3. I just don't want them anymore if I can't have them legally. Can I return domain names registered within certain time of registration

Appreciate all suggestions.

Internet Domain Name

Comments

  • BadHorse on 22/01/2021 - 21:32
    +1

    Is this a questions or a statement?!

    • SF3 on 22/01/2021 - 21:40

      Another, Can’t hold back posting to OzB anymore…

    • original15 on 22/01/2021 - 22:32

      Legit without reading at first glance thought it was an IT guy talking about domain names clients had said up that, when combining the company name words spelled other words like “tit” in amazonbestitems. Was hoping for a mild chuckle as they got progressively more inappropriate but was disappointed when I actually read it after spotting nothing rude in the second domain name

  • rompastompa on 22/01/2021 - 21:40
    +2

    Licensing of domain names is carried out by companies on behalf of the Australian Domain Name Authority (auDA) on a first in, first served basis. Having a trade mark application or registration does not automatically entitle you to the domain name licence.

    If someone has licensed a domain name the same as or similar to your trade mark, you need to lodge a complaint with auDA. This only applies to the .au country code – it doesn’t extend to other countries, nor generic top-level domains such as .com or .org regulated by other bodies. - Source

    Web addresses (also known as a domain names or URLs) aren’t protected by copyright. - Source

    So you can use amazon-affliliate.com, but .com.au complaint may be lodged to auDA.

    1) Used a relative's ABN/account with a medical name to register the domain

    As above, it can be disputed with auDA. I doubt there will be any lawsuit besides a cease and desist.

    2) Oz Top Deals is registered by someone else ASIC Gov Link(connectonline.asic.gov.au) so technically I can't own it unless I register another similar company eg. Top 1 OZ Deal Solutions Pty Ltd

    Once again, you can own it unless there's a complaint lodged with auDA. As you pointed out, you can register a similar business name. If you use similar artwork, they'll likely go in their favour though. You can own the .com without repercussions though (providing you're not breaking a law such as copyrighting other material/defrauding etc).

    3) I just don't want them anymore if I can't have them legally. Can I return domain names registered within certain time of registration

    No. Once you've registered, you have it for the duration of the registration period.

    • cart00nist on 22/01/2021 - 21:57

      Thank you. I was in a panic mode, a bit settled now.
      Will wait out for the .au domain to expire. Probably continue using the .com in the meantime.

      • rompastompa on 22/01/2021 - 21:57

        If you're getting traffic, you could also offer to sell it to them? ;)

        • cart00nist on 22/01/2021 - 22:00

          It would get traffic as its a short and catchy name. I probably wouldn't risk it though :D

        • cart00nist on 22/01/2021 - 22:00

          So you reckon amazon amazonbestitems.com would be alright to use for affiliate stuff?

          • rompastompa on 22/01/2021 - 22:05

            @cart00nist: I haven't read their terms. They may have an exclusion for naming with their affiliate program. Have a read here.

            If you don't break their own affiliate program terms, then the domain names no issue. Regarding selling, I recently assisted with a client buying a domain name for $1500 just because it was similar to their product. We didn't go through auDA, but there's no way they'd take the domain off them for us as the business names were similar.

            Also; once you've made a cool mil', hit me up. :D

  • MS Paint on 23/01/2021 - 00:17

    This forum topic is not published.
    Nothing That Interesting on OzBargain Forums Anymore (Trolling)

    Maybe this op was right?

  • c64 on 23/01/2021 - 10:23

    1 Used a relative's ABN/account with a medical name to register the domain

    transfer it to the correct person

    2 Oz Top Deals is registered by someone else ASIC Gov Link(connectonline.asic.gov.au) so technically I can't own it unless I register another similar company eg. Top 1 OZ Deal Solutions Pty Ltd

    i'm guessing it is sufficiently different. you will find that there are a huge number of registrations of minor variations of keyword, eg 'abc'

    of course you need to meet the eligibility criteria spelt out on the auda website.

  • ihbh on 03/03/2021 - 16:24

    If you read www.amazonbestitems.com too quickly, you might attract guys who like endowed Amazonian ladies.

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