Buying Expired Domains

zejayes

New member
Aug 27, 2013
87
1
0
Seattle
When I check out domains for links, sometimes I run into businesses that have pretty damn good link profiles, but its pretty clear the domain is someone's actual business that is expiring (and its probably a mistake that they never got notice to renew). For example say its some local gym's website.

Are these purchases just a headache? Is it illegal for me to own these kind of domains when its someone else's brand name?
 


check the domain name isnt a trademark and make sure that if you do buy and use it, you dont pretend to be that business/product
 
check the domain name isnt a trademark and make sure that if you do buy and use it, you dont pretend to be that business/product

This last part is key!

You can own the domain. (check out nissan.com - it's not the auto maker) But they absolutely cannot pretend to be Nissan... that's illegal.
 
Don't do it... it's illegal and this could happen to you!

32R5AkO.png
 
You can use the domain but make sure you don't use their Product/Brand name, because it's a copyright violation, google might penalize your website.
 
There is no issue if you are purchasing an expired domain. The important thing is that this domain should not have any brand value and belongs to your business niche.
 
You can download as long as you don't "cause confusion" by using their trademark or other things that could mislead people into thinking you are them. Even if you do that,they can still sue you...anyone can sue anyone, doesn't mean they will win, but it will cost you
 
This last part is key!

You can own the domain. (check out nissan.com - it's not the auto maker) But they absolutely cannot pretend to be Nissan... that's illegal.

I'm not even sure you could legally do that, even if you are not pretending to be the business. For instance, if I set up a mynetflixsite.com, it would likely still be a legal violation of the Netflix copyright. And, I'm sure it would only be a matter of days before the Netflix lawyers asked me to remove it. My point being that you can buy a domain, but if it's someone else's trademark (whether a local gym, Netflix or a car maker), you will run into legal trouble as they seek to protect their legal rights. And, if you've put thousands into that domain name and the site attached, you will be out of pocket.
 
Just make sure if you run into any *legal trouble* to give them the fuck off and leave the domain up!


P.s. id keep my hands away of domains that name a brand (any)

On the first day of my domaining i bought armani.info for 35$, 10 days later i droped it just cause *if*
 
When the domain gets huge amount of Bot traffic which you mistaken as brand traffic when purchasing the dropped domain will result in loss of money for long future unless there;s some buyer you finds.