Right to a domain

[ytregnn]

A while ago I registered Betfred.se (.se = sweden) on my host. Betfred Ltd., a british bookmaker, is now claiming the right to the domain. As far as I new, the domain always belongs to the one who registered it, even if a company happens to have the same name in their trademark.

I've googled it and it seems like I am the one who has the juridicial right to the domain.

"That’s really the key point, just as you have a trademark on something doesn’t mean that you have the right to the domain name." from Domain Masters Radio Show. ( http://www.moniker.com/domain-masters/ep-2005-01-12/page-3.jsp )

I'd like to see what you think? Should I give up without a fight? Someone else that have been in the same situation..?

[Ancient Dragon]

I believe you are correct -- there have been several law suits about that here in US. But I think you should contact a lawyer in your country soon to find out the legality there.

[pty]

A while ago I registered Betfred.se (.se = sweden) on my host. Betfred Ltd., a british bookmaker, is now claiming the right to the domain. As far as I new, the domain always belongs to the one who registered it, even if a company happens to have the same name in their trademark

I've googled it and it seems like I am the one who has the juridicial right to the domain.

"That’s really the key point, just as you have a trademark on something doesn’t mean that you have the right to the domain name." from Domain Masters Radio Show. ( http://www.moniker.com/domain-masters/ep-2005-01-12/page-3.jsp )

I'd like to see what you think? Should I give up without a fight? Someone else that have been in the same situation..?

It depends. Are you called Fred? Do you gamble? Did you know about the company betfred before you registered the domain name?

I'd imagine you did, its a household name in Britain and has round since the 60s - they sponser Manchester United (if you watch a Man Utd home game the advertising boards say 'betfred says ... ' and give live odds for the game).

Anyway, its not just some name you'd make up. You can try to fight for the name like Uzi Nissan (nissan.com) but with a name like betfred, especially if you're name isn't Fred and you're not a turf accountant) will probably be pretty futile. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cybersquatting

[stymiee]

Threads merged. Please do not cross-post.

[Ancient Dragon]

Here is a lawfirm tht specializes in domain name disputes, at least those in USA. It contains links to quite a few recent legal decisions. I only scanned the first two and the complaint was denied in both cases.

[ianhungerford]

A while ago I registered Betfred.se (.se = sweden) on my host. Betfred Ltd., a british bookmaker, is now claiming the right to the domain. As far as I new, the domain always belongs to the one who registered it, even if a company happens to have the same name in their trademark.

I've googled it and it seems like I am the one who has the juridicial right to the domain.

"That’s really the key point, just as you have a trademark on something doesn’t mean that you have the right to the domain name." from Domain Masters Radio Show. ( http://www.moniker.com/domain-masters/ep-2005-01-12/page-3.jsp )

I'd like to see what you think? Should I give up without a fight? Someone else that have been in the same situation..?

Hi

What happened to your dispute in the end? did u get to keep it

[ytregnn]

Hi Ian,

They still want it I think, but they haven't done so much about it.

I was actually going to give them the domain, since I was sick and tired of fighting with them, when THIS (!!) happend; http://betfred.wordpress.com/

[ianhungerford]

Hi

yeah just wondered because i bought betfredpoker.es and betfredcasino.es and they threatened to tell people in the industry about me (i work in the industry) and also posted a forum up saying i asked for £10,000 for them, which was a blatant lie as I never asked for a penny

[ytregnn]

Ian, maybe we should talk some more over MSN/Skype regarding this.

I've sent you my msn/skype as a PM.