We finally came up with a company name which we like and the domain, www.NameWeLike.com is not taken.

However, www.NameWeLike.wz.cz is registered, and has an almost empty web page in a free host. I don't understand what it says but it seems to be somewhat game-related, although extremely amateurish.

Do you think there is some risk (of any kind - legal, hackers, whatever) in going ahead and registering the name we like? Coming up with a good name is very difficult, finding the domain available is almost impossible - should we go for it?

Copyright the name. I would make a big bet that your competing website has not yet copyrighted that name, then, according to international law, the copyright becomes internationall simply by registering it in your home country for a couple years.

Hackers...well, thats not something you can control ;-)

Originally posted by Terin
Copyright the name. I would make a big bet that your competing website has not yet copyrighted that name, then, according to international law, the copyright becomes internationall simply by registering it in your home country for a couple years.

Hackers...well, thats not something you can control ;-)

Hmmm... I know nothing about this, but I didn't think you could copyright a name... could be wrong

Originally posted by Terin
Copyright the name. I would make a big bet that your competing website has not yet copyrighted that name, then, according to international law, the copyright becomes internationall simply by registering it in your home country for a couple years.
Hmmmmmm... I'm confused... what about the "it's copyrighted automatically just because you use it"? In that case, they do have the copyright...

I'm not a lawyer and not 100% sure but legally as long as they're not doing very close to what you are doing then you have no problem. A copyright protects content, a trademark protects a name. Given it's a Checkoslovakia name doubt you'll have any legal issues anyhow. Be careful, if they truely are hackers there's no telling what low lifes would do if piss them off.

Gabriel, in the games category at wz.cz, there are mainly fan sites, clan sites and sites of freeware developers. All amateurs, probably no hackers. I'll tell you more if you want... I understand what it says :p

Brian, Czechoslovakia doesn't exist since 1993 ;)

Copyright is for creative works not company names. A company name/logo is a Trademark.

Do a company search to make sure the same name isn't already in use by another developer (very unlikely otherwise they would have registered the domain) and then go ahead registering the company and the domain.

Obscure is right, its technically a trademark (name) not a copyright. The point stands! Legally speaking you are in the clear.

Joe