Registration of an Domain Name Similar to Ours on a Foreign Register

[jk]

Except the contact is supposedly by the registrar, not the company seeking to register the domain name. I find it difficult to believe that the Chinese registrar is tracking down and contacting every company that has a domain name similar to one that has been submitted to them for registration. I find it much more likely that this is an elaborate sales pitch for the .hk version of the domain name.

And... look what ten seconds of Google searching turned up.

sure sounds like the situation


but in my defense, I have no idea how they do business in China or Hong Kong.

but the name wasn't similar but identical so the only had to research one name. Now, if it was simply a similar name, it would be a bigger clue but sometimes I'm clueless anyway.


but given this:

The eager Asian "registrar" realized that the targeted firm owns the rights to the domain names in question. For “ethical” reasons, the Asian provider kindly offers to register the domain in the name of the target instead of for their “client”. The prices are often prohibitive. The greedy scammer threatens to proceed with the initial domain registration request if the rights holder does not purchase the domain names within seven to fifteen days.

why wouldn't the person contacted simply say; so what? If they use the name in a competitive manner, the rightful owner sues or even simpler, files a dispute with ICANN. If they don't actually use the name or use it where it is not in a competitive forum, who cares, they are in China.

[Mr. Knowitall]

but in my defense, I have no idea how they do business in China or Hong Kong.

It's not just a Hong Kong thing.

why wouldn't the person contacted simply say; so what?

Why do 'heirs' to African fortunes contact random people in the U.S. to share their inheritances by helping them smuggle their money out of the country? Because some percentage say "yes" and send them money.

[brock37]

I spoke with a trademark attorney, she said just to ignore it because it is a scam and to not respond to the email. As far as trademarks go, you can't trademark the name peptide. Because it is a product. That would mean any company that sells peptides wouldn't be allowed to which is going to happen. And if I filed a trademark it would be denied.

[jk]

I spoke with a trademark attorney, she said just to ignore it because it is a scam and to not respond to the email. As far as trademarks go, you can't trademark the name peptide. Because it is a product. That would mean any company that sells peptides wouldn't be allowed to which is going to happen. And if I filed a trademark it would be denied.

But internatioNal peptides is not just "peptide". So you think Mickey Mouse can't be a registered trademark because mouse is an animal? How about Kentucky fried chicken. Burger King. The list is endless. It's the combination of the words or names that is the trademark, not either individually. The "attorney" you consulted has done you a disservice.