Is it okay to use domain with the word google in it?

RNK1.com · 05-31-2007, 06:30 AM

I bought a domain name with the word google is one of its word can I use it ?

Cornbread · 05-31-2007, 06:42 AM

No Google will sue you, they have a copywright on their name.

Redfly · 05-31-2007, 08:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cornbread

No Google will sue you, they have a copywright on their name.

Copywright? On their name?

Google is a trademark. Trademark use in domains can get very complicated, it depends on weather the domain is competing with the TM site and weather it was registered in bad faith.

Just a point, if you use adsense on a site with "Google" in the domain, you wont be for very long.

Jadehat · 06-01-2007, 04:34 AM

Generally, Google approach to the domains containing 'google' is pretty lax, so don't worry - unless you are competing with them in some niche, or using Adwords/Adsense.

Redfly · 06-01-2007, 04:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jadehat

Generally, Google approach to the domains containing 'google' is pretty lax, so don't worry - unless you are competing with them in some niche, or using Adwords/Adsense.

That is just terrible advice. "Don't worry" about using a trademark in a domain name?

Think about things before you write, some people actually take the "advice" of others on here. Getting your post count up is not an excuse.

Jadehat · 06-01-2007, 08:03 AM

google-watch.org
googlerankings.com
google-kai.com

Three aged sites off the top of my head that have been free from prosecution on the Google side.

Out of all trademarks, Google is perhaps the safest to include in the domain name -- again, if you don't compete with Google in any of its billion ventures, and if you don't use AdSense to monetize or AdWords to advertize.

Redfly, I am confident in my advice, or I wouldn't advise it in the first place.

Redfly · 06-01-2007, 08:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jadehat

google-watch.org
googlerankings.com
google-kai.com

Three aged sites off the top of my head that have been free from prosecution on the Google side.

Out of all trademarks, Google is perhaps the safest to include in the domain name -- again, if you don't compete with Google in any of its billion ventures, and if you don't use AdSense to monetize or AdWords to advertize.

Redfly, I am confident in my advice, or I wouldn't advise it in the first place.

Just because others are doing it, doesn't mean it's safe. Google can swoop in and take a domain they feel may be benefiting from their trademark and they have done it.

Your confidence is unfounded and undeserved.

"Perhaps the safest"? The safest for what? The safest to violate?

Fair enough, neither of us know exactly what he is going to use the domain for, but even so....

littlebobek · 06-01-2007, 10:49 AM

Sure you can use it.

Maybe as - Go Ogle (Ogle - name of your website character

)

Jadehat · 06-01-2007, 03:38 PM

Quote:

Your confidence is unfounded and undeserved.

Dave, please, tell me at least one domain which was taken over by Google because of trademark infringement. For any other large e-name (ebay, myspace, digg) there are dozens (if not hundreds) of cases.

It seems that pushing trademark policy too hard violates the "Do No Evil" rule. It is highly unlikely that Google will interfere.

Of course, everything may happen --- but chances are that domain will be overtaken by hackers, registrar will go out of business, or aliens will land.

Rational risk assessment must be the key for making decisions.

jump · 06-07-2007, 12:56 AM

I would stay away from developing domains which contain any trademark. They may have a relaxed attitude for now, but what if they change their mind?

Imagine developing a site for several years with that underlying feeling that some day they might just want to cause some friction.

lwbbs · 06-13-2007, 11:51 PM

You can't use it. It is trademark.

Quote:

Originally Posted by RNK1.com

I bought a domain name with the word google is one of its word can I use it ?

Costin Trifan · 06-14-2007, 06:32 AM

I have one question though:

Didn't US adopted (in the english dictionary) the word (verb) Google (to google) as a word (verb) describing the action of searching the web finding something?

eXweso · 06-14-2007, 08:33 AM

I have seen people falling in trouble with that..Dont use....Better be safe than be sorry!

jakomo · 06-14-2007, 08:08 PM

100% Trademark problem! Try to do something with another domain name, there are millons of domain ready to register

Affnice · 06-19-2007, 08:51 AM

dont use that domain. also if you use adsense name in your domain you cant put adsense ads too in that domain

Tinien · 06-21-2007, 01:55 AM

RNK1.com,you should ask here before you bought a domain

viswablr · 07-02-2007, 10:49 PM

If you really feel there is a need to use the term google, you can contact them, explain the need, and get a written authorization to use the term. Otherwise, it can go bad anytime.

I am reselling hosting plans from Godaddy, and the reseller site will have a reference to google Adwords. Google somehow contacted me and informed that I should remove reference to adwords in my site. (In fact the reseller site is not even developed by me. It is what Godadddy gives as a template)

Having said that, I know may people knowingly or unknowingly using the word google in domain names.

mauiman · 07-30-2007, 06:55 PM

Just because it's trademarked doesn't mean you can't use it. You can use it up until the time they shut your business down and sue you.

<believe it or not I'm not stating to following to SPAM this thread. Really.>
I've coined a new term, "Googbies", and started a blog named after it and I'm comfortable I'm on safe ground because I looked into beforehand, but it was enough of a concern that I did some due diligence.

It's never OK to use a trademarked name if you're in the same industry. In Google's case it's probably not ok to use their name in ANY industry because they'd certainly sue if you tried to start a restaurant chain named Google Bites or similar.

I'm NOT an expert, but I DO have some experience and education on the subject. Bottom line: I would not use it. Any benefit is outweighed by the risk and besides I doubt it would be a good brand to build on any way.

Google luck either way.

elena29 · 07-31-2007, 12:07 AM

I am not a legal expert but I think its not legally fair to use one's company name for your personal proffit purposes.

bylla · 08-03-2007, 02:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RNK1.com

I bought a domain name with the word google is one of its word can I use it ?

If you have a desire to get into trouble, then go for it! Google will hunt you down, so I would stay away from it if I where you.

/Andreas