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Check out domain names
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March 9, 2000: 2:16 p.m. ET
Investigate domain name copyrights thoroughly before your own site launch
By Jane Applegate
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NEW YORK (CNNfn) - Dear Jane: I'm trying to start up a Web site. Most of the good domain names are already taken. I'm having a hard time finding a name that won't conflict with others. For example, there's Prodigy.com. Is it OK if I register "buyProdigy.com" or "shopProdigy.com"?
Even if you could register a similar name, don't! If you do, you'll eventually hear from the lawyers representing the owner of the name, because your new site could cause confusion among potential visitors.
Visitors would also assume there is some relation between your site and the bigger, well-known site, which is exactly what the bigger company doesn't want to happen.
Your challenge is to come up with an original name for your site. If you can't register your company name, try a product or slogan that works. There are infinite possibilities for names and you have up to 63 characters, so get busy and keep trying.
One other important tip: While registering a domain name with NetworkSolutions.com or Register.com gives you the right to use it online in the United States, it does not provide any trademark protection or the right to use the domain name overseas. You have to register your name in each country to be totally safe. (Most U.S. registration firms can help you do international registrations.)
You also have to take separate legal action to apply for a trademark. (Visit the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office site: http://www.uspto.gov/ for information.) Smart business owners register their names and file for trademarks at the same time. (We are changing the name of our Web site in May, and have registered and trademarked the new name to protect it).
Follow the rules and do this right. You don't want to invest time and money in the design and marketing of your site and then be hit with a "cease and desist" letter, injunction or lawsuit aimed at putting you out of business.
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