Info Product Killer – Domain Legal Issues
October 22nd, 2008 | 
Author: I got a question that I wanted to address here in the blog so everyone else can follow along.
“Hi Tiffany,
Yes I bought IPK and I love it. 
I just have a question for you–if you can spare a few minutes. I know I’ll be working on IPK all day (I took a sick day off from work!) What are your thoughts on using domain names with product/company names in them? I understand the 007 model number strategy but on several occasions full product names are used such as http://www.nintendo-ds-lite-pink.co.us. I’ve always been told this is a big no-no because of potential legal issues. Can we get sued for doing this or do companies simply ask you to stop using the domain name if they don’t like it? I know you can’t give me advice but was just hoping I could get your opinion.
Thanks
Amanda”
Okay so here’s my belief – and I’m no lawyer, so if you want solid legal advice, consult an attorney. But I think for THIS purpose, we’re fine. All we’re really doing is shuttling customers to buy from the main company. If they had wanted to, they could have grabbed all sorts of domains with their products in them.
Now if you happened to scoop up FisherPrice.com before they did, I’m sure you’d have a problem. I believe the protocol is that they ask you to stop using the domain if they want you to. Then if you don’t, they could threaten legal action, etc.
But seriously, I am not worried one iota. I’ll also invite the product owner to stop by if he wants to in order to address questions here. So ask in the comments area and if I get him here, he can give you his insight too.
Tiff 
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Thanks for the quick response Tiff. What you said makes perfect sense. I can’t wait to get started!
I can tell you that one toy company, LEGO, definitely does not allow you to use their brand name in a domain and they will come after you to change it. They are very pro-active in that way (I speak from personal experience). Other brand owners may be more or less on-the-ball but legally they have to protect their brand name from being used by other people in order to protect its existence.
Some brand names will go after anything they think is even marginally close – and since most of us are not likely to come up with the big bucks to fight their high-powered lawyers we’d be out the work and the domain name.
Hey Kevin! Thanks for your insight. With this tactic specifically, I wouldn’t be out much – it’s a fast cut and paste template job, nothing I’d have to worry about. I’d just move it to another domain or switch to a new product. I’m getting .info names, too. But I’ll avoid Lego lol
tiff
Hi Tiffany,
I bought IPK through your affiliate link (thanks for the extra discount)and so far it looks great.
I have a quick question for you. In picking domain names for the mini-sites, do you think it is better to have a domain name with hyphens (e.g., your-favorite-toy.com) or to get .net, .org, or .info domain names without the hyphens (e.g., yourfavoritetoy.org). Many of the good .com names are already taken.
Thanks for your advice,
Don
Hi Don!
I asked him the same thing and he said to use hyphens or underscores. I prefer hyphens BUT I actually bought non hyphenated domains myself because I asked too late.
Tiff
Agree with Kevin. I had few sites as affiliate to brand name companies. I thought they’ll not object me using brand name in the domain, but… they did. It sounds stupid since I was selling their stuff, but nevertheless.
On the other hand, Tiffany is right – if they come after you, you can just shut down a site. In my case, they were fine with it.
So Max I’m confused
Sorry – You said they were fine with it. Were they objecting and then okay with it or ….am I just totally confused?
tiff
Sorry Tiff, I did confused you, never rush to click Submit button
. What I meant was they were ok with me shutting down sites and not taking any further legal actions.
It was intended to clarify @Kevin comment “… their high-powered lawyers we’d be out the work and the domain name” from a personal experience.
To sum it up, I’d suggest to be very-very careful when using brand names. You might spent a lot of time putting together great affiliate site… and get a note from company’s lawyers to shut it down.
Hey Tiffany
Are subdomains ok with IPK?
thanks
That’s not how he teaches it – you could TRY it, of course
Thanks!
I just checked with the author for anyone else who is wondering and he suggests not to use them. Reason being that they are only suited to established domains for fast high serps. I can’t understand why subdomains can’t work if a major factor of IPK is on page SEO! Oh well!