URL With "iPhone" In It?

TylerDurden

TylerDurden

You Are Not Your Job
Oct 6, 2008
1,191
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Hawaii
I see there are quite a few websites out there that have "iPhone" in the URL, do you think Apple even cares? I have a URL with "iPhone" in it that I'd like to build out and monetize but I'm wondering if applying to Apples aff program will just attract unwanted attention or if I should find a different way to monetize.

I know Apple could take the site at any time if they want to but based on all the sites out there which use their trademarks do you think they are indifferent?
 


I have 2 sites the I run EPN stuff on with iphone in the URL. Never had an issue. (knock on wood).
 
I can forward you a PDF with a damn-scary-sounding cease and desist letter I have sitting here from Apple's law firm for exactly this - trademark infringement by using the protected term "iPhone" in my domain.
 
Geez, that doesn't sound good. It's just strange to me that so many sites are doing it. My domain is related to iphone apps and I see one guy who has a (really ugly) affiliate site that is pushing iphone apps no problem. I guess I could just monetize with adsense or something but that might not be as rewarding.
 
I don't know, maybe it depends on how popular the site is, exactly what and how you're promoting, and whether the lawyer had a good breakfast or not.

All I can say is, they contacted my registrar (GoDaddy at the time), who rolled over immediately and disabled my domain. And after I was wondering for a few hours why my site was down, I got the letter, incl. if I remember correctly, a demand of compensation for over $1,000 for their troubles of sending me the letter.

Had a good run while it lasted. Take your chances, your mileage may vary.
 
envision, care to share any details? What type of site it was and how you were promoting it? Some companies seem to be ok with tm domains as long as you aren't hurting their image, others don't tolerate it at all, and in the case of apple it sounds like they just fire off at random domains. I remember a few months ago there was a story on tech crunch because they went after a domain like mac-book.us or something like that.
 
Yeah I was kind of under the impression that Apple is cool with it as long as you aren't hurting their image because there are some iphone app sites out there that look legit and seem to be operating without any problems. Either that or they're hiding their referral info...or it is entirely random.
 
i had iPhoneFreelancer.com since 2K8 (recently sold) and never heard a peep from them... I wouldn't be too worried.
 
I was kicked by apple aff program for this exact reason.

EPN might bitch too, just in case you care.

I guess it depends on the use, bizzykehl's domain had a positive approach being related to iphone apps development etc, instead if you use your domain to sell stuff or other usages that are seen as competition by apple you might have problems ( just my point of view ).
 
You can own apple domains but stay away from the .com exact product domains i.e

macbookpro.com, macbook.com e.t.c - Get the .net .org or .info if you are looking to build a community site and by all means stay the fuck away from being the first to send out press releases about how you just got the latest super secret iphone 6 pictures. They will yank those domains from you a.s.a.p.

At the end of the day - They LOOOVe the publicity i.e appleinsider.com e.t.c
 
besides Apple.. what other companies that will actively go out and do these to webmasters?..

is there a list i can check ?
 
prince said:
besides Apple.. what other companies that will actively go out and do these to webmasters?..

is there a list i can check ?
Click to expand...
Microsoft and Verizon are two I don't even touch with a 10 foot pole.
 
by the way, how do these companies find out about your address when you're using proxy... and what if you're living outside of the US?
 
i just got a ceast and desist from a lawn mower company... i handed over without any qualms, and they compensated me quite nicely.
 
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