Using another companies name in a URL

[blink401]

What is the name of your state? NM


I am considering helping out a friend by hosting and developing a website that will for the most part be a slam site i.e. "I am a disgruntled walmart shopper and I want to tell my tale."

This site has nothing to do with Walmart, but a large organization with dozens of locations. The organization for the most part runs like a franchise, and the website will be focusing on a single location. The targeted location is run without much involvement of the parent organization, but of course has to follow certain rules and carries their brand name. I think you get the idea.

Of course nothing untrue will be posted, and nothing we can't backup with some proof. The kicker is that a mirror of their site name is available for purchase on the .com domain.

My question is, are we safe to use their name in the url of this site? The url doesn't contain the name of the organization as registered with the state, but it does contain the complete name of the parent company. i.e. www.BillsNike.com Title: “Top Ten Reasons not to Shop at Bills Nike.

Your insight is appreciated.

Thanks

 

[racer72]

No, you cannot use a registered trademark name in your URL. There are lots of folks out there that would like to have a website with Microsoft in the name, whether for good or bad reasons, but there is only one URL that has Microsoft in it, and of course, that is the Microsoft site. There is software that allows those that provide internet security to search for words and phrases in URL addresses and they are very aggressive in shutting down certain sites.