been told i need to close my forum by another forum

[stemon]

Hi guys have setup a forum and there is a forum like mine that uses yabb instead of phpbb like mine, now my address is the same as the other forum apart from i have network in my domain name and they dont. ive been told if i dont close it they will take action? what action can they take? and what harm am i doing. im not copying any content from their forum.

[felgall]

Is your forum on the same topic as theirs? If not then there probably isn't anything they can do since one isn't likely to be mistaken for the other.

What sort of relationship is there between their domain name and their business name? Is it possible that the domain name matches a trademark that they hold? If your domain name infringes on their trademark they may be able to forcibly acquire the domain.


How long have both forums been in existance?

There are too many variables to know what they may or may not be able to do but the above questions should give you some idea of a few of the things that might impact on what they may or may not be able to do.

Probably the first action they would take if they have any legitimate claim at all would be to get a lawyer to send you a letter stating why your forum infringes on their rights. You could leave it until then to make a decision as to what to do and either take it down upon having received that letter or seek legal advice of your own.

[stemon]

Hi thanks for the reply.

Both forums are the same topic, about the same car (vauxhall/opel omega)


its not a company at all just a forum to discuss a car, their forum is not trademarked in anyway ive checked.

i also havnt copied any of their site content.

my forum has been online 2 weeks , theirs at a guess a few years or so judging by member count.

[djmatt]

if they aren't the company that makes that car, then they don't have more of a right to discuss the car than you do. Do not be intimidated.

[stemon]

if they aren't the company that makes that car, then they don't have more of a right to discuss the car than you do. Do not be intimidated.

Thanks Djmatt , that is a valid point you have :) will keep this post updated.