Domain names vs. Trademark / Service Mark

[ssddgreg]

Slovenia (EU)

Hi,

I have some questions regarding US Trademark / Service Mark registration.

I would like to ask you, if US Trademarks and / or US Service Marks are recognized by the EU? I am refering to the uage os the trademark in Slovenia, as a member state of the EU.

Secondly, how long does the trademark last -- is the application filling fee for one year or longer?

Our aim is to get a Service Mark for our nonprofit NGO and we would like to establish a portal that would serve general public on a specific domain -- as it is our abbreviation of our Service Mark -- Geographic Information Services. We would use the name "GIS!", since GIS is already registered.

Do you think someone would recognize GIS! valid for a domain like www.gis.com or www.gis.net etc.? We use the "!" sign for differing our mark from other marks, but the "!" can not be used in a domain name. So, we would prefer a domain line www.gis.com etc.

We would be more interested in the domain name gis.si - it gives priority to service and trademarks. The Government has taken the domain and just reserved it -- we want to make more useful things our of it. Although it is not for commercial purposes, we want to make the best of such domain name.

Our conservation nonprofit organization would welcome an US Volunteer Layer that would advise us with some issues.

Kind regards,

Dean

 

[davezan]

Dean, your post is somewhat confusing. Are you saying can you get a domain
name after registering for a trademark or service mark?

 

[divgradcurl]

I would like to ask you, if US Trademarks and / or US Service Marks are recognized by the EU? I am refering to the uage os the trademark in Slovenia, as a member state of the EU.

No. Trademarks are national in scope, which means you need to obtain a trademark in each and every country in which you want protection. Now, you can file a single application via the WTO (WIPO), but you must then have the application forwarded to each country in which you want trademark protection, and follow their rules and fees for allowance and registration.

Secondly, how long does the trademark last -- is the application filling fee for one year or longer?

In the U.S., a trademark registration is for 10 years, and renewable every 10 years thereafter. A trademark is potentially unlimited in duration. However, a trademark must be used and defended, or it is lost.

As for the rest of your questions, you should find an attorney or agent in your own country who has experience filing trademarks under the Madrid protocols, that would be the best way to get the rest of your questions answered.

 

[ssddgreg]

Dean, your post is somewhat confusing. Are you saying can you get a domain
name after registering for a trademark or service mark?

I would not see any problems with that -- for example, a company establish its trademark that is nonexisting and want to build their business. Why not having a chance?

It is just my opinion.

 

[ssddgreg]

Thank you for your help!

Cheers,

Dejan