[ADDENDUM, 2009.01.09: There is another scam out there which attempts to get you to pay more for your domain, and possibly transfer it to a different domain registrar. It usually comes in the form of a postal mail from a very official sounding name, like National Domain Protectors or US Domain Registry Keepers. I've uploaded an example a client sent me, below and to left.]
CLICK IMAGE TO ENLARGE
[END ADDENDUM, 2009.01.09]
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Several CDLLC clients have called in the past two weeks and inquired about the following email scare/scam. What follows is basically a fear-based attempt to lead a business owner to believe s/he is missing out on the "land grab" phase.
If there is enough interest, I will elaborate on the value and/or potential detriment to your business from having multiple domain names, and I can write a brief summary of how copyright, trademark, establishment of first use, etc, are interpreted by law on the internet. Post a comment if you are interested.
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From: Alex.Tao
Sent: Saturday, November 29, 2008 1:29 AM
To: Crockett Dunn
Subject: crockettdunn for domain name
Dear crockettdunn:
We are Shanghai Chooke Network Information Technology Co., Ltd, which is the domain name register center in China.I have something need to confirm with you.
We have received an application formally,one company named "Yunda (China) Investment Co.,Ltd" applies for the domain names(www.crockettdunn.cn www.crockettdunn.com.cn etc.) ,and the Internet keyword(crockettdunn) on the internet November 28, 2008. We need to know the opinion of your company because the domain names and keyword may relate to the copyright of brand name on internet.
we would like to get the affirmation of your company,please contact us by telephone or email as soon as possible.
Kind Regards,
Alex.Tao
Tel: +86-21-62416070
Fax: +86-21-62597835
Email:alex.tao@chooke.cn
Shanghai Chooke Network Information Technology Co., Ltd
website:www.chooke.cn
Posts
I just received one of these emails from the exact same person... Please do post more information
ReplyDeleteWe have received the same email.
ReplyDeleteMore info on trademarks and establishment of first use would be helpful.
Yes, post it, I have plenty of my web hosting clients registering them or calling me. I'd like to give them your link. Even one client bought them because of additional fear of bad food products from china might tarnish the brand.. but I reassured him that it was not of any value. Too late.
ReplyDeleteEveryone, here is the explanation to your clients. This is what makes this an innocuous, unethical, and annoying fraud.
ReplyDeleteNotice the line that says the domain name YOURDOMAIN.US has recently become available. So it is possible that there is another business named YOURDOMAIN that might purchase the domain named YOURDOMAIN.US.
That is the only relevant information in this message. The remainder states the rules, laws, precedents of trademark, copyright, and first useage. It's just an excerpt from a legal book.
Bottom line.... you've got no problem, unless, perhaps, you own walmart.com, walmart.net, and walmart.org, and then the real Walmart company buys Walmart.us and fights for their domain back.
It's just a bunch of intimidating legalese trying to get you to buy a dot-us domain name.