Lutherville Timonium, MD asked in Intellectual Property and Trademark for Maryland

Q: Can I include an already trademarked name of a business in my url?

I am creating an online course about selling on Amazon and my sharing my personal experience and tips to students. I do not sell any physical products that Amazon.com sells. I am only selling a digital product that I created on my own. The digital product is to educate other people how to start selling on Amazon. Am I able to use a domain / url that is something similar to "amazononlineschool.com" or is that infringing on Amazon's IP? I already have disclaimers on site saying that the site is in no way affiliated or owned by Amazon.

Happy to add any additional details if needed. Thanks!

2 Lawyer Answers
Marcos Garciaacosta
Marcos Garciaacosta
Answered

A: That is the fastest way to get a complaint and maybe a proceeding that will take your domain name.

Try something else.

Consult an attorney.

Barbara Berschler
Barbara Berschler
Answered
  • Trademarks Lawyer
  • Rockville, MD
  • Licensed in Maryland

A: The "AMAZON" mark is a strong mark and strongly protected. By using it in your URL you would be giving the impression that somehow Amazon is endorsing your product. It is one thing to develop a course to teach people how to sell on Amazon and quite another to appropriate the company's major mark in your URL. Disclaimers on your site will not solve the problem. Best to check with local trademark counsel so you can proceed with your project safely.

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