[Yonna]

Has anybody heard about this case before?

http://www.arbforum.com/domains/decisions/137033.htm

[Tojo]

No I hadn't but it made interesting reading

[toydreamer]

LoL.

That did make for interesting reading. Nice spot.

[Rachel]

Hi Yonna, Thanks for the link, a very interesting read indeed.

I am guessing that there must have been a small instance where IMPS didn't renew their domain name quick enough and it was bought up by an email directory company looking to make a fast profit as the domain was a busy one. I know they definitely owned the name before this date and I don't remember smurfs.com ever directing to another website so there must have been a little slip up along the way but only for a little while.

Having been caught up in the troubles in the past (before this by the looks of it) I can only ever advise people not to use smurf etc. because it is really not worth the hassle in the long run.

[toydreamer]

Didn't look like much of a fight above. I'm sure that if someone wanted to fight them they would probably win.

IMPS are just a pack of bullys! (no pun intended)

[astro1]

well I used to own Smurfs.ca back in Nov,2001. Never used it but had it redirect to my ATC website. It was in direct response to smurfs.net which was owned by cool toys. We were both ordered to cease and desist. Here is what smurfs.net used to look like:
http://web.archive.org/web/200112022015 ... murfs.net/
This was when smurfs.net was shut down, http://web.archive.org/web/200206051229 ... murfs.net/

This was when my smurfs.ca started http://web.archive.org/web/*/http://smurfs.ca

The cease and desist never bothered me since it was only a redirect but it cost cool toys a fortune. His smurfs.net was then a fully developed shopping site complete with shopping cart.

Back in 2001 cool toys and me were the main smurf retailers in north america. Mushroomvillage did not come along till Nov 2002.

I gave up the smurfs.ca to IMPS with no regrets.

[Bunno Smurf]

That was an interesting read, Yonna. Thanks for posting the link.

I was wondering what was going on as I had thought they'd had the smurf.com for ages too. Guess they did let it slip. Wonder who got fired over that!

[toydreamer]

The legal costs just can't be worth them following up every name. If they want the names they should go out there and buy them all!

[attombomb7]

hi Astro!

that was really interesting about Smurfs.ca

what makes me wonder if this happens with other companies, as alot of names were bought by many people before some of the big companies got into the internet thing. '

I myself figure if you buy a name it's yours and the company should have to buy it from you. especially if you pay a fee and have it registered thru the internet as a new name.

it makes me feel vulnerable for any websites we create, if some big company comes along and wants the name.

for example I assume Disney was smart enough to buy up various disney domains? who knows..

[KiwiSchlumpf]

Back in December I was emailed by a chap setting up www.smurftoys.com asking if I would link in to him. I want to keep a low profile incase I got caught up in any legal things.. I see this redirects to www.smrfs.com. Still too hot for me to handle.

I always worry about the old domain name www.schlumpf.netfirms.com that still links in to me and all the breaches of copyright I must have done in the name of "Pimping my schlumpfs". My fear is they will stifle my creativity by claiming intelectual property. All I wanted to do was have some fun and give things back for free to those who inspired me.