Domain Make Money?

[Filibastis]

Hi everyone!

I'm new here, this is my first post. I live in a small town in Sweden. Here's my question:
In my hometown they are right now building a new, expensive arena. The name of the arena is/will be "Arena Vanersborg". The interesting thing is I own the domain "arenavanersborg.se". (.se is what we use here, not .com)
I registered the domain before they decided on the name for the arena, so they can't just take it from me.
Now I need suggestions on how to use the domain to make good money. No blackmailing or anything like that. My intention is not to sell the domain, but to build some kind of site that will give me a nice extra income.

Any ideas?


Filibastis

[PressureProsInc]

I think your true money is going to be selling them the URL. They may not be able to take the domain from you, but if you try and capitalize on thier business name by using your URL to promote things involved with the arena, they can take your income.

[RayGoneFishing]

I'm with Ken here. Negotiate a good price and sell them the domain.

I'm not familiar with Swedish law, but your legal position may actually be weaker than you think. Even though you registered the domain before they decided on a name, if you just sit on it and don't do anything with it, they might still be able to claim it.

So, first thing you need to do, discuss the situation with a local lawyer. If they can build an expensive arena, chances are they can afford to hire expensive lawyers, so you want to be on solid legal ground before you proceed.

[Filibastis]

Exactly! That's why I need creative ideas for a site. I don't intend so sell it. What kind of site should I build?

Filibastis

[torka]

If they trademark the name (which they may be able to do, as they appear to be the first ones to use the name in a commerce and as an expensive facility they likely have a team of high-power lawyers on their side), they might be able to take the domain away from you by filing an ICANN dispute.

There are three criteria that must be met in order for them to get the domain taken away from you.

First, it has to be their trademark. We don't know that's the case, but if it is (or if it becomes the case), they've met item #1.

Second, they need to prove you have no rights to the name. Since it is the name of the arena and it is neither your name nor a trademark or business name of yours (and opening a business using their name after the fact wouldn't count -- in fact, it might just make things worse), it's likely they'd prevail on item #2.

Third, they need to show you hold the domain in "bad faith." There are three possible ways they can show this. First, by showing you registered the domain simply in order to sell it to them at an inflated price. Second, by showing you registered the domain simply to prevent them from registering it. Third, by showing you registered the domain in order to put up a for-profit site and make money by leading people to believe you're somehow associated with the trademark holder.

They don't have to prove all three of these to show "bad faith." Any one will do.

So you'd have to be very careful about what content you put on your site, or they could prevail on item #3. Especially since you've already said your goal is to make some money from this domain.

IMO, RayGoneFishing is totally correct. You really need to talk to a lawyer before you do anything further.

--Torka