GoDaddyGrill.com

[Bryan O'Neal]

Trade marks are only valid if ruthlessly defended.  If you put up a
grill site it would be hard for them to take it from you, and they may
have no desire to, but they must make the attempt or run the risk of
losing all control over Go Daddy, much like Escalator lost all control
of their name when it became a generic for moving stair cases.

________________________________

From: plug-discuss-bounces at lists.plug.phoenix.az.us
[mailto:plug-discuss-bounces at lists.plug.phoenix.az.us] On Behalf Of
keith smith
Sent: Thursday, August 16, 2007 4:16 PM
To: plug-discuss at lists.plug.phoenix.az.us
Subject: GoDaddyGrill.com




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:

- - - - - - - - 
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. 

- - - - - - - -

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. 



 




------------------------
Keith Smith
(480) 584-4772
PHP Programming <http://www.netcodeman.com/> 



________________________________

Pinpoint customers
<http://us.rd.yahoo.com/evt=48250/*http://searchmarketing.yahoo.com/arp/
sponsoredsearch_v9.php?o=US2226&cmp=Yahoo&ctv=AprNI&s=Y&s2=EM&b=50> who
are looking for what you sell. 
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