I bought the com version of a domain name that is owned by regulation body for a government.
They have had my host take my website down because the code on my site / html is almost the same as theirs and the say the code is copyright.

Now they say they are going to get the domain put in their name... can they do this?
They made the mistake of not buying the domain name why should I suffer??

I think they should pay big bucks to get my domain and not steal it off me.. what do you guys think?? anybody here have this happen??

Thanks

Yes they can do it.
And the fact that it sounds like you tried to steal their site only increases their argument.

They will not pay big buck and you will end up releasing the domain.

Then I have to think is any domain yours or can the big boys come in and take it?
So what do you own then when you buy a domain? ..nothing by the sounds of it... the domain was for sale I bought it cant see what the problem is.. I am in the biz they are regulating longer then they exist yet they will come to rob me..

the only ref to them or thir site was in my meta tags on index page other than that my site had the same colours and a layout that was close to theirs.... no picture / image copyright ..nothing
I notice now they have bought the other named eg org ect but its a bit late as I have the main 1.
I am not giving up without a fight its sad a government would attack the little guy.

Thanks again for your comments

Well, if your domain name is "confusingly similar" to a well-established corporation, then they have means to rightfully have it transferred to their name through the Uniform Domain Name Dispute Resolution Policy (UDRP).

You are correct, you do not "own" a name, but only "register" it. By purchasing the domain, you assumed all risks involved with that domain. Finally, as Blue said, coming close to copying their website only strengthens their case.

Since it's the government, they have the resources get it transferred to them, if you don't do so. You can try getting a lawyer, but no guarantees.

Sorry to say it by whether or not you give up this fight you have already lost.
The laws are already in place.

The "big boys" cannot just come and take your domain if you can show proof that you owned the domain prior to their trademark or copyright.

Squatting laws are very serious in the domain industry and if you hope to buy a domain to profit from the work of others you are going to lose the battle every time.

yeh its just a diff tld I mean look @ google mis spell it and u get name like that but they dont run after people and take their stuff.

lets say they have the org and I have the com and I did make it look the same as theirs in layout and colour but thats whole point the little man getting back @ the big man but in a none violent way... we are all sitting on domains we hope somebody will want to buy because they sound like something well known.. thats why we buy them..
All I did was put up a site like theirs in colour and layout .. I mean thats done everyday.. I dont know any design guys who dont copy code from here and there.

I did not confront them they went to my host.. i checked with him before the site went public so he could compare them ...the sites.. and he was happy with it there was no copyright.

I never bought this domain to make money I bought it because it was like theirs thats not against any law I know.

I have a site up on the domain name and its still up now just the index is down but I have a forum on it also.
I am in the industry many many years so why should i not have the same rights or more.

If you somebody owns icecream.com you should not buy icecream.org? come on guys thats the whole point.

Thanks guys ur teaching me here and I am glad of the feedback.

If you do some research on trademark laws, companies that have a trademark not only want to protect these trademarks, they are required to.
In order to maintain a trademark you have to actively protect it. This includes website copyrights and domain names.

I don't really understand your need to "get back at the big man" but I do know that you are not going to achieve it in the way you chose.

if they did not buy the domain then they did not protect it... its an open market.

I bet there are many guys here who would love somebody to slip up and not reg a domain so they could make money.

It's not an open market.
It is a professional market that should be accountable and run professionally.
Laws are in place to prevent people from trying to profit from the work of others.
That is not going to change.


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cybersquatter

its not a money making site and prob would never be its just an index with links to news and a forum where guys in the same industry chat about the job we do.

I never made any offer to sell or made any contact they are just pissed off because they did not buy the domain... its not like they had no time jezzz come on.

Thanks again I like the comments just helps me answer them when they call me back on monday.

I feel like i am in the ring with a top boxer lol

If the site wasn't intended to make money why did you use references in your meta tags that were stolen from their site?
Why are you using the same layout and color scheme?

Trust me. You are not in the ring.
You will never get into the ring with this attitude.

You are trying to profit in a way that has long since been determined to be unethical and illegal.

You have already lost the battle.

WoW thats way over the top you dont know me and your so wrong dont judge others by what you maybe like.

Dont you read what I type? or are you just trying to start a war of words?

I asked for advice not some silly <<removed>> ranting about the rights and wrongs of the net.

Jezz take a chill pill if you dont like my post then dont reply you have a lot to learn about manners dude.

Hell this board is all about domains are you saying you are all robbers ??? dont answer that.

This post will prob get me banned because you are here longer but it will never change what a silly prat you are mate.

I never stole nothing and remember slander is an offence.
Any ref on my domain is to my industry nothing more.

It is a professional market yeh right tell me now you are a professional

Thank god your not my hoster


Time for you to take ur meds!

Look sonny.
You came here to try and get people to back you up on your sleazy and unethical quest to "stick it to the man"
Why don't you come back here when you are mature enough to understand the FACT that it is illegal and unethical to do a low rent thing like trying to suck money from another persons hard work.

Until then you are just another low rent scam artist trying to validate your inability to do business in an open and honest way.

I tried to be nice and help you out but you chose to take it to another level.
Your type are the problem with online business.
You think that you can do your cheap little tricks and remain anonymous and no one cares.
Well I do care and you will not get support on a professional forum when you act like some pathetic criminal.

Hey Michael why do you have diff addys on your domains??? you hiding something?? maybe not paying your tax ?? maybe a few mail to the right people may sort that... you do pay tax on the hosting service dont you??


ur nothing but a cheap $4 hoster that lame duck could run jezzz and dont sonny me because now I know who and what you are.
You made a slander remark and my advice is to retract that or you may find yourself in a court of law.
I have just hypersnaped your comments just who the hell do you think you are??

You dont know how to be nice my guess is u were born a rude fool who thinks he knows it all but knows nothing ... little boy wannbe hoster

Who the hell is trying to be anon?? lol you have it bad that power trip ha ha

Michael relax ur not on tv or in court yet and Michael I hope you read the ICAN rules about the right reg info.. dont start something with me I dont give up easy