I don't know about you, but this looks like something I should pursue.

I own (and have owned for a while) the domain 2host.com. I now see that another host opened up shop as 2-host.com (whom has been posting here the last few days now). Obviously offering the same service.

I see the domain as the user and the posts, I see it's new. I visit the domain and look around. While the site looks nothing like mine, it is offering the same services, and this is simply a hyphenated version of my domain.

The most compelling thing about domain name disputes, other than blatant trademark issues, is that the violation lies in perhaps confusing the visitors. Ironically, on their own site, multiple times, I see links to *my* domain (2host.com) [without the hyphen]. Indeed, I would assume that if these people themselves were so confused or inattentive enough to mistake my URL for theirs, that it's pretty good evidence to support a complaint of a violation with the domain names. (I have screen shots and downloaded the documents to prove this).

I have contacted the domain owner, informing him of the purpose of my contacting them and to seek an amicable remedy, as I have concluded that the domains are simply too similar, and this is supported by their very own actions of putting the wrong links on their *own* site. I have offered to pay for the registration fees, and in fact, I suggested I might pay them double what they paid. I do not know if they will be willing to concede this domain. I know they have another hosting company (or what seems to be) by doing a little investigation. I have yet to hear back from them (but it's not been very long since I sent the email. I'm just really bothered at this moment, and thus this post).

I have no idea if this person is at all reasonable (although they seem to be normal on their posts here thus far) or how they will react, but I let them know that it's simply an initial request to see how willing (or unwilling) they are to cooperate and not to pressure them or to send them a few pages stating specific legalities. I'm also not saying this person did this intentionally or is a bad person at all. Though, a point: 2host.com obviously was taken. There's a large difference with 2host.com and 21host.com, for example, but a hyphen doesn't cut it. That's too similar.

Hopefully they will react well to this, but I'm curious of people's thoughts. Does this seem a little too confusing to clients? I assume it must if it confused them alone (it's their site after all). I've let a few slip by lately that are very similar to my domain, but this one differs very little and I'm bothered.

Depending on the response, I will be sending a form letter with the complaint that would provide the full, official details I need to send to this person. Perhaps it will let them know clearly of my intentions if they do not make an effort to remedy this (assuming they are unwilling to be reasonable or amicable). I'd appreciate people's feedback on this. Thanks.

I wouldn't worry about it 2host.com. First of all, you should have registered any close variations to your name when you first registered it. I see your domain, 2host.com was registered on 25th October 2001, and 2-host.com was created on October 12, 2002. You had a year to register this variation. Why didn't you? Why are you worried about it now, but you had a chance then to get it, but you didn't? If you don't register the domain when it's available, it's up for grabs. It was no secret in the year 2001 that it was important to register any close variations of a domain name to keep away any future competition. So if you consider this a close variation, you should have grabbed it.

Another reason not to worry about it is because he has a dash in his domain name. If he grows his site large someday, you will be the one to benefit from the type in traffic that forgets to put in a dash. I know firsthand of this, and do quite well on several type in traffic domains. So you should hope he does well and prospers.

IMHO, you are overreacting, and if you need to get upset with anyone, it should be with yourself for not being on the ball to register close variations of the domain name. You could have prevented it and saw it coming, but didn't. Consider it a lesson learned for any future internet business branding.

Also, do you know how many dashed domains there are that aren't owned by the people who own the domain without the dash? Thousands! I have over 230 domains, and not once did I register a dash variation of them because I don't consider them a risk or threat, but a possible benefit if they grow the site up and I get the type in traffic.

Relax. Let it go. Wish him luck.

and good luck to you as well.

Originally posted by Rockerhard
I wouldn't worry about it 2host.com. First of all, you should have registered any close variations to your name when you first registered it. I see your domain, 2host.com was registered on 25th October 2001, and 2-host.com was created on October 12, 2002. You had a year to register this variation. Why didn't you?


A: A person shouldn't need to grab every single possible version of their domain name just to prevent cyber-squatters or competitors. That could be very expensive.

B: Cyber-squatters had it shortly after 2host.com was registered. This domain was moved previously to another registrar, which is why it says only Oct 2001. I was waiting for it to drop from the registrar database for very long time, in the meantime.


Why are you worried about it now, but you had a chance then to get it, but you didn't?


And what makes you think I was able to? Cyber-s-q-u-a-t-t-e-r-s.


If you don't register the domain when it's available, it's up for grabs.


And so was yahoo.co.uk and msn.co.uk and msn.org. That doesn't make you loose the right.


It was no secret in the year 2001 that it was important to register any close variations of a domain name to keep away any future competition.


No kidding.


Another reason not to worry about it is because he has a dash in his domain name. If he grows his site large someday, you will be the one to benefit from the type in traffic that forgets to put in a dash.


And there's also the issue of people confusing the two. I put a lot of time and skill into this. I don't need someone else's domain confusing people into talking poorly of my domain/service due to the confusion, if this person doesn't live up to those same standards.


I know firsthand of this, and do quite well on several type in traffic domains. So you should hope he does well and prospers.


I do not wish to do business that way. I do not wish for my business to have any impact based on how he does business. I don't wish to reap his good fortune, nor (and especially) his bad fortune.


IMHO, you are overreacting, and if you need to get upset with anyone, it should be with yourself for not being on the ball to register close variations of the domain name.


You need to not assume so many negative things. As explained above, that was not possible. You know, not everyone that has such a complaint is overreacting or some irrational person just looking to bitch and complain because they want to horde everything for themselves, or because they see someone as a threat. I think this is pretty obvious stuff and why I have concerns about how this can affect my business. This is *why* these dispute rules were put into place for domains. Not for anyone and their mother to take up a case for no good reason. I feel, given your comments, that you've seen a lot of those and it's altered your perception of anyone that might have a legitimate complaint or issue about this.


You could have prevented it and saw it coming, but didn't. Consider it a lesson learned for any future internet business branding.


No, not really. You shouldn't have to get every possible close variation to a domain just to prevent this. It's not required and for good reason.


Also, do you know how many dashed domains there are that aren't owned by the people who own the domain without the dash? Thousands!


And if they did the same business, offering the same service, confused their domain with yours on their *own* site, post at the web web forum, where people have already confused my site with his and so on... Do you think it would bode well if someone got rack-shack.net offering dedicated servers, or inter-land.net, or how about jaguar-pc.com, or many others? How about mp-3.com that has MP3's for download? Or nap-ster.com offering people the ability to trade music? Maybe M-tv.com? Am I not big enough for you to be able to have a legitimate complaint?

Consider that it might actually matter more to me, not being so large. Consider that this is perhaps the problem. Maybe those too don't seem like obvious confusing domains, but if you're not rackshack.net, interland.net, jaguarpc.com or many others, it probably won't matter to you. I'm a bit insulted by the tone of your response, and the accusation of me overreacting and how it's not a big deal (to you). I stated the reasons, they *are* REAL reasons. They happened, they are happening. Why should I allow them to continue to happen? You have over 230 domains, right? I didn't just get this domain for traffic. You do understand the purpose and function of it, I'm sure. Really, it's not at all unreasonable to have issues with that sort of thing, especially when you are made aware of it and how many people are confused (which I can say by contacts I've gotten alone and posts here).


I have over 230 domains, and not once did I register a dash variation of them because I don't consider them a risk or threat, but a possible benefit if they grow the site up and I get the type in traffic.


That depends on how serious you are, the type of business you run and how the other person acts that can affect you and your business. This is not the same scenario for you.


Relax. Let it go. Wish him luck.

and good luck to you as well.

Nonetheless, my point and concern, is how his reputation, given this blatant confusion, even by them own selves, can affect me. This isn't the case for every domain. It is in this case. It's no secret that most people aren't too keen on Internet related issues, and you can bet that a good amount of people will not be wise to it, and any link to my site, any mention of his site, people will confuse with mine, think I'm affiliated and possibly worse. Again, that is the point and reason for domain name disputes.

Of course this isn't the end of the world, but there's simply too many reasons why this is an issue. If you fail to recognize that or don't agree with it, that's fine. I did ask for people's feedback, but to so grossly ignore the entire reason and legitimate concern seems a bit odd. Unless you wish to deny that if 100's of people posted here or on usenet saying that 2-host.com is a rip off, that this would affect my business (as 2host.com).

If you recognize that, then why the response? If you do, which you should, then I fail to see where you oppose my post and fail to understand my concerns, to just post semantics about how I should have to have obtained 2host.com, 2-host.com, tohost.com, to-host.com, twohost.com, two-host.com, toohost.com, too-host.com, and all the .net, .org, and .biz versions of the above as well (roughly 40 in total). Well, thanks for the feedback anyway...

Sorry if you thought the tone of my opinion was too harsh. Yes, I may have been a bit blunt, but I am a firm believe in accountability. You are responsible for your own actions OR inactions. But hey, if you say 2-host.com was registered back then, I guess it is not your fault you didn't register it.

I just don't think its anything to worry about or stress over.

is 2host.com registered as your company name?

If not i dont think you could take this anywhere.

Originally posted by UH-Matt
is 2host.com registered as your company name?



Yes.