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Old 09-28-2011, 04:19 PM  
gideongallery
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Join Date: Aug 2003
Posts: 7,082
Quote:
Originally Posted by MiaLelani_SocalCamCash View Post
Hey guys,

This is my first thread, so please try to be kind. I'm looking to trademark my name & possibly put a cease & stop disorder on someone. Here's the back story:

When I first got into the industry in 2006 the amateur internet company that was hiring me immediately bought my domain name mialelani.com . I was so green that I didn't know I could or should of bought it. I've developed a really good relationship with him business wise and as friends throughout the years. I asked him last week if he still owned my domain name, he said yes and kind of tip toed around selling it to me. He informed me he just sold a gay domain name for 10k, and proceeded to tell me that he'd sell my domain to him as long as he got a certain % each month or sell it at 10k! Keep in mind I've been checking in on this site throughout the years and nothing has been on it for a year, he tells him he makes money from it every month through referrals. Straightmen site is gay & will by default make more $ than mine because of its name & content, so it's like comparing ballons to blimps.

I'm pretty annoyed at his obscene offer for a number of reasons I don't want to get into at the moment. I feel the more effort I put into making a bigger name for myself, he by default gets a free ride and makes money off me even if I go with another domain name. I want to know if there's anything I can do or stop him from making money off of me in the future when I do launch my site?

I'm open to any helpful advice on the matter...
if he registered before you became "famous" (aka at the beginning of your career)

you might have a hard time getting the domain away from him.

get a really good trademark lawyer, get the earliest appearance under the name, and file the paperwork for a trademark, clearly document first use in commerce.

then file a domain dispute for the domain.

change your name would be the next best option, many pornstar do that.
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