- This topic has 61 replies, 27 voices, and was last updated 1 year, 1 month ago by
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UIn 2022, I bought a domain—**googleclass.in**—with the hope of starting a simple coding website. I had no idea this one decision would lead me to this moment: scared, legally cornered, and completely helpless.
I was just starting out, trying to learn, trying to build something. I spent all the money I had to buy that domain. Later, out of precaution, I reached out to Google’s registrar support and even offered to sell the domain. They never mentioned any issue. I assumed if there was a real problem, they’d tell me. I even stopped using the domain, just to stay safe.
But recently, I received a legal complaint from **Agency** on behalf of Google, asking me to transfer the domain as part of a legal settlement. I agreed, because I don’t know what to do—I just want peace. I even asked them if Google could offer any help or support, considering I acted in good faith. But the response was cold: *Transfer the domain. Our client cannot assist you.*
I’m not asking for pity. I just want someone to hear me.
I made a mistake out of innocence, not malice. And now, I feel like I’m being crushed under a system that has no time for individuals like me. If anyone at Google sees this, or anyone from the legal/tech/startup community can guide me—I’m here, asking for help, not a fight.
Thank you for listening.
Location: India#Google #LegalHelp #DomainDispute #Startups #INdomain #SmallVoicesMatter
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RWhy hashtags on your post? And that domain is redirecting to Google. If you own it that’s not possible!
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UNo, after getting email for Nixi i removed my domain from Blogger. Here is the blogger domain [https://ignoubcaclass.blogspot.com/](https://ignoubcaclass.blogspot.com/)
and used hashtags, as I think by this I get more reach for help
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UNo, after getting email for Nixi i removed my domain from Blogger. Here is the blogger domain [https://ignoubcaclass.blogspot.com/](https://ignoubcaclass.blogspot.com/)
and used hashtags, as I think by this I get more reach for help
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V>asking me to transfer the domain as part of a legal settlement
So what’s the problem then? Ask them for a fair amount and transfer the domain to them.
You’re using a trademark name. Googleclass is not a random word like coderclass or softwareclass or aiclass.
You’re using a specific trademarked name “google”, outside of Googles name and brand that word means nothing. So clearly you meant to make people think its affiliated to Google in some manner.
Just ask them for 20-30 lakhs and give them the domain. It’s worth nothing to them, not an amount they’ll fight you over. But it might be a lot of money to regular folks like us. Just give it to them and ask for some small token compensation.
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UI have no intention of making money from selling this; after years, my blog is now getting views. I informed them to
>consider offering me **some financial support in return for the domain**
But they denied it.
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CNAL. Tell them to pound sand. Ask for compensation if you are willing to sell. They already changed their name to alphabet so why are they coming after this. Mention a $ figure in your response.
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NGoogle did not change its name. It’s holding company was restructured as Alphabet. Google is still a registered brand and a company in its own right.
It is also a registered trademark all over the world. The OP has nothing. He either transfers the domain or Google pursues legal action.
Whatever OP asks for, Google spends way more on its legal team. They won’t spare a single dollar when OP has no leg to stand on.
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KNot a lawyer.
If they did reward you for your innocence, it will lead to many more cases of cybersquatting by people pretending to be innocent (Not really innocent like you – the world is full of charlatans and frauds) – so it is best you give it away for free and make an example of yourself.
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UI only use AdSense, and my blog isn’t getting enough views to make a profit. I’m really upset because I’ve worked hard to learn and create my blog. I used Blogger and Google Search Console. I even reached out to Google’s registrar support when I felt lost and was considering giving up after a few months of owning the domain. If they had told me at that time that I should stop, I would have saved my money to restart elsewhere. That’s all.
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SGoogle is using an Agency to send you and legal action against the domain? Somehow I am not finding it convincing.
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SI am not questioning you, maybe it can be an agency scam, anyway which agency is it? And which Domain registration website you have used for buying the domain?
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UI bought from GoDaddy and I received an email from [nixi.in](http://nixi.in) and agency on behalf of Google is fiduslawchambers
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SLets see –
1. You bought a non-dictionary trademark word to start a “blogging” website. Good luck trying to prove that you did not know about “Google”.
2. You tried to sell the domain back to the original trademark owner which proves bad faith registration.
3. Google is only asking you to transfer the domain. Condering you have been holding this for less than 1 year which would have costed you around 500 INR, I don’t see how you are being “crushed” by the system.
You tried making money on someone else’s work, I am sorry it didn’t work out for you.
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UI bought it in November 2022. And it expires in 2029. It is true I tried to email them, “Can I sell my domain”. At that time, why did they not reply to me if any complication with this domain by his official “Lilie”? Only they replied to the form to address my request in July 2023.
After that, this is happened.
Also, I know about Google at that time, but what I do not know about that time is that I could not use this domain at that time.They only
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EBuddy Get lawyer and ask them to sue google to torcher.
Its your right you paid money and you legally acquired website.
Google is playing tactics.
20% to lawyer and 80 % to you.
Time to be rich.
Ask 10 Million dollars good luck 👍🏼
Don’t be Scared.
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EHey Man,
You can throw emails from lawyer on Dustbin. It doesn’t mean anything.
Don’t respond to google further no contact.
No one is arresting you.
If they are coming after it’s good thing that means may be this Domain means a lot to them.
They should buy from you and pay you good 10 – 20 Mil dollars depending how much it’s worth.
If they take you to court, any civil lawyer will be more than happy to fight for you and negotiate a deal.
Can you tell me why are you scared when you bought this site ? why this is not yours
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MSo, you are telling us that you don’t know about Google. Accidentally squatted the domain and intentionally tried to sell it back to them? Seems you stopped using the domain because you never had any intention of using it (other than selling it).
Sorry! It’s hard to believe your innocence here. -
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EI don’t think you did anything wrong. They are making huge amounts, and you played well. But rules are rules-only weak people follow them; strong people make the rules.
You have two options: surrender or fight. Hire a reputed lawyer and ask them to draft a compensation claim.
You will either win it or lose it, but until you set an example, this will keep happening to others as well.-
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RJust because someone’s making good money means it’s okay to rip of their trademarks or make knockoffs? Google already has a pre-existing product called Google Classroom – hard to see in any way how this is not a trademark violation. Curious to see how people justify this.
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EYou never know how much Google violate, what kind of violation they does, I am only saying if you making they good money, than what is the issue for deal with that ? They can simply pay off and clear ground
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RI’ll be frank I’m not defending Google, just that it doesn’t excuse wrong doing on our side. If you had a family business, and someone new came to the town and started something by the same name, would you not take action? Would you pay them off for doing no work, only ripping off your name?
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UI do not want to make money, as I already said, to transfer the domain in return for another. As I know world is filled with people like you.
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EI believe you are getting scammed by the agency. Verify that it is really Google that behind the Agency.
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LYou already made many mistakes, I can put a very long list here. Just hand over the domain and move on. Just accept that they are right and no one is crushing you. Live peacefully.
A few years back, some Indian was able to register Google.com, and he got compensated really well by Google as he didn’t take it with bad faith! Just search and read that story.-
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LWhy it wasn’t a bad faith?
-> Because he owned the domain for a few minutes. He gave the domain back willingly without any expectations. Donated all the money he received from Google.Why yours is considered bad faith?
-> See, your thinking may be genuine and without any bad faith. But, unknowingly you did all the things that one with bad faith will do –1. Use existing Trademark/Brand Name for your own benefit.
2. Tried to sell the domain for a price to the trademark holder.
3. Ran AdSense and monetized the content by using the trademark name.Any one of these is enough to make your UDRP case weak, but here, you violated them all. There is no stand at your side. There is no ground on which you can say that your intentions were pure.
Just forget and move on.
Next time,
Make sure you register a domain that doesn’t
have any trademark registered.
Register a trademark in your name for safety.
Then monetize or think about selling it.-
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LWelcome!
Whatever name you choose, just run a simple trademark search for it. There are many websites which will allow you to do so.
If it looks good, then register a domain and apply for the trademark for that name for safety; if there are no objections, then start using it. (It doesn’t cost much, 6-7K only I guess)
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BSo this is how it goes :-
Using a brand name that is deceptively similar to an existing registered trademark in India can lead to trademark infringement and potentially passing off, even if the domain names are slightly different. The key legal test is the likelihood of confusion among consumers. If the use of the similar brand name is likely to confuse consumers about the origin, sponsorship, or affiliation of goods or services, it is likely to be considered illegal under the Trade Marks Act, 1999.
Even if the original brand name is not a registered trademark, the owner might still have grounds for a passing off action under common law if they can demonstrate goodwill and that the similar use misrepresents the goods or services, causing damage to their reputation.
How to Avoid This Scenario in India
To avoid potential legal issues related to using a brand name that might infringe on existing rights in India, follow these steps:
– Conduct a Comprehensive Trademark Search: Before adopting any brand name, conduct a thorough search on the official website of the Indian Trademark Registry (IP India) and other relevant databases. This search should look for identical and similar trademarks, considering phonetic, visual, and conceptual similarities.
– . Trademark registration provides stronger legal protection against infringement.-
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BPretty much, yes. As if you don’t want to fight over it with the corporates or have some unnecessary tension like this you are having now. And in case you succeed in the product you are working on, if they come to you, it will be much worse. So, yeah, better do a search.
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