The .net of a .com, ethics Q
 

What's the unwritten rule about picking up the .net version of a .com that is still registered, but by all accounts hasn't been active for a couple of years? Go ahead? Not cool? Could get you in trouble?

Depends on whether the .com ever registered a "mark" with that domain - if they did they could easily take any domain with that same name - an example is the "for dummies" trademark - they send out domain infringement letters all the time and have gone to the governing body on more than one occasion to get domains taken away.

If its something "general" in nature of course none of this applies - if it is an operating website, then ethically the practice has been to not register the .net of the site although quite a few scammers out there make it a regular practice - I think there was a recent case here where the name of the other website was only part of the guys new domain and he was pretty much dragged around here.

In the case of an affiliate paysite there are some sponsors that love to let you register the .net/.org etc and make them money if youre good with SEs :) - then there are some that would probably try to sue you :(

Excellent advice |thumb

I do own a domain that's very close to a paysite name. But, I only use that domain to promote that paysite...only seems the fair thing to do :)

Thanks for the input guys.

There's nothing spectacular about the domain I have in mind and I highly doubt that it's trade marked. It's not live now and most likely hasn't been for a couple of years, at least there's nothing on waybackmachine.

It expires in June, so maybe I'll just wait and see if I can snap up the .com then, that would be even better.

Lemmy - have you looked at the whois to see if the person has it up for sale? Sometimes they hold onto them but just park them with SEDO or something - also if you really like the name Id go ahead and get the .net as if you get the .com it would probably be good protection if youre planning on developing that name

There's nothing on Sedo. I think I'll just grab the .net and see if they let the .com slip in June. Domains are dirt cheap anyway so it's not much of a gamble either way.