Domain names

[CharlieB]

Hi

I'm searching with GoDaddy Domain Names, Web Hosting and SSL Certificates - Go Daddy to search for domain names but I have a few questions:

If the name is currently taken but not being used i.e. there are just adverts and links on the page, what does this mean? Can I try and contact the owner? If so how? and how much would it cost to buy?

Also if a .com name is not available but a .co.uk one is, and I run a successful business under the .co.uk name is there any way I can takeover the .com name? Would I have any rights? How can I then expand to the world if I cant get the .com name?

Many thanks

Charlie

[rogercbryan]

You can try to buy the .com name by doing a WhoIs Search on GoDaddy. I've found that owners respond to less then 5% of offers. In many cases when you say the domain is 'not being used' you have to take into consideration if the domain is parked. If it is parked then it being used to generate advertising income. If you buy the .co.uk you will never have any rights to the .com *EVER. If you want the .com you need to buy it from the previous owner. I've spent as much as $10,000 on domains (once and I regret it) and I've sold them numerous times for over $5,000. This doesn't mean that you can't buy it for say $500 but they can get expensive (some sell for millions).

If you want to PM me the domain you are trying to buy I can give you my opinion on what it is worth and how to go about making an offer. Let me know if you need any help.

*I'm not a lawyer and this is not legal advice- There could be a situation if you had a trademark prior to someone establishing a site on the .com domain that you would have a case. But the chances are very minutiae.