Domain Name question

[Lefty]

This might be the wrong forum (I didn't see an off-topic though?)...

If you create a website, can the domain name contain the word 'disney' or any other words linked to disney world? Or is it just that you can't use the full phrase 'disney world' within the url?

I'm just curious.

 

[napnet]

I wouldnt... i have a few Disney themed domain names and i make sure its not something thats copyrighted. i dont think wdw can be copyrighted...

 

[WDWRLD]

Ive got wdwrld.com.........Get it......WaltDisneyWoRLD.com
Its also my Va license plate

 

[Lefty]

Ive got wdwrld.com.........Get it......WaltDisneyWoRLD.com
Its also my Va license plate

That's pretty cool.

The reason I ask is because I did see places such as disneycentral.com with the actualy word 'disney' within the domain name. So I assume it's alright as long as you don't use the full phrase 'Disney World'

 

[MissM]

I think it's most important that there's absolutely no confusion that it's not an official Disney-run site. Something like disneyvacations.com would get shut down I'm sure, but something like mousehousetrips.com probably wouldn't.

Generally, you'd want to imply Disney, but not all-out say it, know what I mean? Things like wdwmagic.com, allearsnet.com and mousesavers.com are all the type of name which make it clear what it's about without ever making anyone think it's an Official Disney Corp. site.
-m

 

[Lefty]

Ok I've come up with a name that I'd like to register...But before doing so, I want to make sure I'm not infringin on any WDW rights or copyrights. So if anyone with knowledge in that specific area wouldn't mind giving me a hint, I'd really appreciate the help

I don't want to say the domain name in public for fear that some party-pooper would one-up me and take it for himself (or something to that extent)

Again, if you wouldn't mind, just drop me a line in this thread and I'll PM you details regarding the name. I'd hate to spend money and time to build a website just to find that it's breaking the law!

THANKS!

 

[Sloan]

no definitive answer

While I'm not an intellecual property or internet law specialist/expert, we deal with the same issues a lot in our litigation practice. There's probably no clear answer to your question - when we apply for a federal trademark on behalf of a client, we can't know for sure or guarantee it will be approved ahead of time - that call will be made by a lawyer for the government. Similarly, using a domain name with part "Disney" is not a clear-cut situation, but I can tell you that the Disney lawyers are likely to carefully guard against anything that could create consumer confusion or dilute the value of their marks. Those are the key issues - consumer confusion and dilution of the value of the marks. I can't give you a real 'legal opinion' without our office being retained (insurance and malpractice issues - we have them, just like doctors - of course, we're partially to blame for that) but I could give you an impression if you want to send it to me privately. Please know that no matter how innocent or well intentioned you are, that does not mean that a lawyer will not try to stop you from doing it - and it can end up being an expensive battle, usually on 'their' turf, and they have a lot of in-house resources.