Jamesy Posted October 21, 2015 Share Posted October 21, 2015 Quick one for the digital gurus; Whats the deal with close or matching URL's? In short, if you buy a .com domain name and then find out after that another company offering same services has the .co.uk domain and its live, where do you stand using it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gaz6002 Posted October 21, 2015 Share Posted October 21, 2015 It's nothing to do with the URL. Using another firm's name might be problematic though if you're offering the same service and it's registered/trademarked. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jamesy Posted October 21, 2015 Author Share Posted October 21, 2015 The other site using it is basically just a small spin off site of a muc larger firm. When you click anything on the spin off site it all hyperlinks back to their main site Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al Massey Posted October 21, 2015 Share Posted October 21, 2015 Nothing really. You have no rights to claim a domain name. And .com and .co.uk are owned and controlled by two different entities Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevie_b Posted October 21, 2015 Share Posted October 21, 2015 This might repeat what other people have said. I have read the previous posts, but thought I'd put it in my own words. There's 2 issues here, and they're not related: 1) There's a website that has a similar domain, but a different top level domain (e.g. something.com, and something.co.uk). I'm not an expert on legal ramifications, but the only issue that might arise is trademark. Unless it's an international trademark, I suspect it would be problematic to prove some kind of wrongdoing (which law applies, for starters? With .co.uk, then UK law, but with .com, who knows? US law at a guess? Very complicated.) 2) The "hyperlinking back to the main website" is fairly common. Purely a technical issue, easy to do, no other ramifications or repercussions. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wez Posted October 21, 2015 Share Posted October 21, 2015 I always check when looking at domain names if most common are available, ie .com, .co.uk, .org etc. If not I normally give it a miss and if they are I buy all and link back to single site Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jamesy Posted October 21, 2015 Author Share Posted October 21, 2015 Thanks guys. I basically bought the domain 18months ago as it was spot on for what i wanted. The .co.uk wasnt available so just got the .com I noticed after buying it that the .co.uk site was live and offering the same service. But as i say the site itself is just a landing page really for their main site Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alex_GT Posted October 21, 2015 Share Posted October 21, 2015 If you could prove they were domain squatting then you might have a case. You would have to prove that they registered the domain with the intention of profiting from a trademark you own or if they were intending to sell it on at an outrageous price. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jamesy Posted October 21, 2015 Author Share Posted October 21, 2015 To be honest i dont care about them or their site. Im just wanting to ensure that should i proceed with the site they cant 'make' me change the name and/or domain? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Posted October 21, 2015 Share Posted October 21, 2015 Law is very slow at catching up with technology. There are a number of cases where people have been accused of "cyber squatting" - purposely registering a domain name so someone else can't get it, but doing nothing with it or trying to sell it to the highest bidder. Further more the practice of registering a domain name matching a company name, trademark or brand for the purpose of misleading customers to your own similar product will land you in trouble. Having your domain taken off you could be the least of your worries. For a .co.uk and you registered someone else's registered business name you may find yourself on the end of a Nominet dispute. Read that page for further details. For .com / .net / .org and similar read ICANNs site. If it's a none related service or product you'll be fine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jamesy Posted October 21, 2015 Author Share Posted October 21, 2015 Ah. Ok mate cheers. Their site is offering the exact service. Its Not trademarked or a ltd company name as their 'actual' business has a bigger name - but this particular site is a lead generator into their main site Hmmm,not sure what to do now lol - either carry on with it or try and find an alternative domain Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ozz Posted October 22, 2015 Share Posted October 22, 2015 Nothing really. You have no rights to claim a domain name. And .com and .co.uk are owned and controlled by two different entities Not quite correct, you can have the domain shutdown if they are 'passing off'. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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