Trademarked Domain - Got Email from Apple

qwatqwat

qwatqwat

New member
Jul 1, 2010
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Brooklyn, NY
So I got an email from Apple that I need to shutdown one of my sites immediately as it has a trademarked term in it. The domain was on GoDaddy and the hosting is with a dedicated server provider.

Is there anything I can do but shutdown? The WHOIS info on the account isn't real. Is there somewhere I can transfer the domain where they won't care? And should I host it somewhere offshore?
 


Depends...are you in someway trying to compete with that domain with Apple? I doubt so. Is the domain receiving traffic? I also doubt. GoDaddy will take your domain from you as soon as they get a letter from Apple, I'm pretty sure about that..heard some horror stories.

I would just give the domain name to them if I was you i.e. remove it.
 
darenet said:
Depends...are you in someway trying to compete with that domain with Apple? I doubt so. Is the domain receiving traffic? I also doubt. GoDaddy will take your domain from you as soon as they get a letter from Apple, I'm pretty sure about that..heard some horror stories.

I would just give the domain name to them if I was you i.e. remove it.
Click to expand...

The site is ranked 1 in google for huge keywords. It's a blog. How do sites like AppleInsider and MacRumors stay online then for so many years?

Would rather not let a $1k+ / day income source go away if I don't have to.
 
Quick thoughts:

  • PM email header info to a trusted mailer or authority and have them dissect it.
  • Whois the other apple related domains (competitors) and check there hosting and registrar for possible solutions.
  • +$1k / day = a proper fight. Spend $ if necessary
Edit: Even if this turns out to be nothing this time insulate yourself and site from potential actual take-downs.
 
If the site is pulling in $1k a day + it has a trademarked term in it; then get it off GoDaddy for sure.
 
Uptime said:
Quick thoughts:

  • PM email header info to a trusted mailer or authority and have them dissect it.
  • Whois the other apple related domains (competitors) and check there hosting and registrar for possible solutions.
  • +$1k / day = a proper fight. Spend $ if necessary
Edit: Even if this turns out to be nothing this time insulate yourself and site from potential actual take-downs.
Click to expand...

Thanks, I wasn't even thinking it could be fake at first then it hit me and as soon as I saw the headers I knew.

I am transferring my Domain to NameCheap anyway, and I have offshore hosting that ignores DMCA. Not sure if there's much else I can do, but it doesn't seem like Apple really pursues it since sites like AppleInsider have been up for so long.
 
qwatqwat said:
Thanks, I wasn't even thinking it could be fake at first then it hit me and as soon as I saw the headers I knew.

I am transferring my Domain to NameCheap anyway, and I have offshore hosting that ignores DMCA. Not sure if there's much else I can do, but it doesn't seem like Apple really pursues it since sites like AppleInsider have been up for so long.
Click to expand...

There was a thread on here talking about how NameCheap had folded on a few people. Alternative registrars were mentioned, don't recall who atm.
 
qwatqwat said:
Thanks, I wasn't even thinking it could be fake at first then it hit me and as soon as I saw the headers I knew.

I am transferring my Domain to NameCheap anyway, and I have offshore hosting that ignores DMCA. Not sure if there's much else I can do, but it doesn't seem like Apple really pursues it since sites like AppleInsider have been up for so long.
Click to expand...


NameCheap won't be much better in this situation if that email was legit.
 
I heard a rumor that Apple has some money. You should just sell it to them for ONE BILLION DOLLARS!!!

or just take it down before you get sued and end up in federal, pound me in the ass, prison.
 
Get away from GodAddy ASAP, transfer to Moniker or an offshore host. If the headers of the email are spoofed it is probably a competitor, people send fake cease and desist orders all the time.

Edit: On another note do some research on the alledged user whom emailed you. Is the name of a real person whom works at apple? If so, what is their title there?

Whatever you decide, get your domain away from GoDaddy ASAP.
 
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