I have to share this story with my fellow open source / free software folks.

About 3 years ago I resisted a domain GoDaddyGrill.com.  I registered it under my Wild West Domains Affiliate account. 

It sat un-hosted until about 2 months ago when I hosted it to test codeigniter. See for yourself:  http://www.godaddygrill.com/

Yesterday I get an email from GoDaddy as follows:

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It has come to our attention that a domain name you have registered is infringing upon one or more of GoDaddy.com trademarks.
 
As you may be aware, GoDaddy.com is a registered trademark of GoDaddy.com.  We are writing as a courtesy to inform you that your use of the term "Go Daddy" in your domain name or a domain name that is substantially the same or confusingly similar to the "Go Daddy" mark is likely to cause confusion in the marketplace and would therefore likely be construed as a violation of the GoDaddy.com trademark.
 
As a result, we would like to reimburse you for your purchase of this domain and transfer the domain into our control. 
 
Please transfer the domain name to GoDaddy within 10 calendar days.

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Now I'm no lawyer...  However I was thinking of putting up a BBQ site not a site to compete with GoDaddy.....

They have offered to extend the registration of one of my other domains for 2 years for releasing it and will want me to sign an agreement. 

Of course I do not want to fight with GoDaddy, however I do not want to sign anything either.  I am going to release the domain however I am doing so under duress.

It is not my desire to cause a flame war on this list over big brother and little me.  If we have a philosophical discussion that would be nice though.

There used to be a lawyer on the list... wonder if he is still around.



 




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Keith Smith
(480) 584-4772
PHP Programming

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