I wouldn't worry until you get a C&D. That media company can suck your dick
That's a pretty dangerous attitude. Nobody owes you a C&D. As a matter of fact, they don't even owe you an e-mail notice.
They can just sue without ever contacting you first. And in the complaint, they can demand whatever they want. Starting from your domain name to attorney's fees to other compensation. It doesn't have to be reasonable.
Once you are served, you'll have to respond, which is costly in itself. Even if you successfully defend yourself, you'll be out of a lot of money. Chances are, the complaint will be filed somewhere far away in a federal court across the country.
You would either have to hire an attorney at that location, or fly over there yourself.
If you don't response, then you'll lose by default.
If you choose to ignore the summons and lose by default, they'll take the judgement and go straight to ICANN to get your domain name based on the judge's decision (not on their internal UDRP). After that, they'll just turn over any amount (you now owe them) to a collection agency.
Of course 9 times out of 10 nothing is going to happen. But there is always that possibility that someone on the other end of the "phone/email/letter" is not fucking with you, but a real player.
On a related note -- anything that you write is copyrighted the moment you write it (assuming its original) -- but all other IP must be applied for to be afforded legal protection.
Bullshit. Trademark use can be established through common law, but the mere fact of using the mark.
Copyright is not the only form of IP that's protected without registration.
Of course, registration goes a long way when you are actually suing someone (and afford a shitload of additional stuff), but that's not a requirement.
