Legal Question in Intellectual Property in California

website url address infringement

We recently registered a domain name to conduct business in the print and directmail space. Our domain name is USPSDM(dotcom) (USPS direct marketing), and also we asked permission from USPS to use their logo within our site since we are going to use USPS services. Soon after we were presented a letter stating that it is illegal to use USPS in our domain name and reference it in our site and were asked to remove it. Is there grounds to their request, do we have to change our web site name and contents referencing USPS even though we are not competing with them and will be sending them business.


Asked on 2/14/08, 4:30 pm

2 Answers from Attorneys
Timothy J. Walton Internet Attorney

Re: website url address infringement

A dispute with the government can get very expensive very fast. You should be seeking to retain an attorney who can advise you about how best to modify your web site and/or negotiate with the USPS to avoid litigation.

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Answered on 2/14/08, 4:41 pm
Gordon Firemark Law Offices of Gordon P. Firemark

Re: website url address infringement

USPS is a registered trademark. You're infringing and diluting that trademark by incorporating it into your domain name... especially since your services are in the same class as those of USPS.

You might be able to win a lawsuit over this, but at TREMENDOUS expense.

Best bet is devise a different domain for your service (and business name), and negotiate with USPS over a timeline for transition... but they'll be tough... they have to be... it's the nature of trademark law.

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Answered on 2/15/08, 12:15 pm


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