Trademark rights and Domain Names?
 

Where does the law stand on this issue?

Can General Motors stop me from naming my site Generalmotorspoker.com ?

Or Mcdonaldspoker.com?


What about Superbowlpoker.com? Isn't that a little different? or not? (it's taken, don't bother!)

Finalfourpoker.com is taken, as is marchmadnesspoker.com, but can the owner get sued by the folks with advertising rights to "Final Four"?

Do these sporting events have the same control over names as the brand-name consumer product companies do?

If you have anything that is trademarked in your domain you can expect a cease and desist letter. When starting out I made the mistake of registering domains like RolexPoker.com and PlayboyCasino.com. I never developed them but still got requests from the legal departments.

Other notable legal contacts in my life would be Harrahs and MySpace. :) Learn from my rookie mistakes and don't even waste your time. As long as there is no trademark or copyright you should be fine.

I take it closely related domains are fine?

Ie, a slight spelling error.

Or could that be taken as misleading & dependant on the content of the site in question?