Legal right to other extensions

[matty281k]

Hi,

If you own the .co.uk of a domain do you have any right to the .com ?

I've owned the .co.uk of my business name for 4 years but never registered the .com but now want to own this.

Where do I stand? The owner simply has a landing page.

 

[Edwin]

Simple answer: no.

Complicated answer: you might have a right to the .com, but that right will have to be asserted using IP i.e. trademarks - not the mere fact of owning a .co.uk.

 

[Edwin]

Also: the fact that the owner only has a landing page is completely irrelevant unless you have IP that predates their .com registration, and the name is non-generic. If in doubt, pay a lawyer for a proper legal opinion...

 

[sdsinc]

Why not look at it the other way.
If I own IL.com do I have any right to your .co.uk ? After all, your domain is undeveloped so I assume you don't need it

Short answer: no, unless you can demonstrate you have TM rights and the other party is infringing on your rights.

 

[matty281k]

re:

Sorry I'm a bit confused at what point did I say the domain in question was il.co.uk ?

Why not look at it the other way.
If I own IL.com do I have any right to your .co.uk ? After all, your domain is undeveloped so I assume you don't need it

Short answer: no, unless you can demonstrate you have TM rights and the other party is infringing on your rights.

 

[Skinner]

It was a fair comment, all he's done is reverse the roles to a .com owner, deciding he wants the .co.uk, rather than a .co.uk owner wanting a .com.

If you thought DRS was costly, wait til you see the cost of UDRP.

Sorry I'm a bit confused at what point did I say the domain in question was il.co.uk ?